Glass production in Licking County, Ohio

Licking County has been tied to the glass-making industry throughout the Midwest since the 1800s.^[1] This is due to the silica deposits found throughout rivers in Ohio.^[2] Although glass production has decreased in Licking County since the 1800s, it is still relevant today.^[1]

Shields King & Co. was a glass manufacturing company founded in 1871, and it began making glass bottles.^[3][4] It was founded by William Shields, David E. Stevens, Oren G. King, William E. Atkinson, and David C. Winegarner.^[5] They worked with others like Richard Lumley to complete different patents including self-sealing fruit jars.^[3] Together, King & Co. worked in the Newark Star Glassworks factory to produce beer bottles, jars, and bottle stoppers.^[3][6]

After opening in 1871, they were successful however; after being bought by Edward H. Everett in 1880, it prompted a significant increase in business.^[3] During the late 1800s, 20,000 dollars' worth of beer bottles were produced for a brewing company in Cincinnati.^[3] The factory was in production until it burnt down in May 1893, only to begin production again in December.^[3] Edward H. Everett decided to facilitate a combination with other glass companies and create The American Bottle Company, a glass container manufacturer in the Midwest.^[3][7] It was founded in 1905 and is known for producing various bottles and jars for multiple industries.^[5]

Edward H. Everett caused growth within the glass industry as these factories became entirely based on machines for production.^[5] Machine-based production benefited the speed at which glassware was produced.^[5] However, the machines removed the heritage of glass blowers, taking away jobs from previous employees.^[5]

The “Stevens Tin Top” is an example of a piece of glass produced in the Newark Star Glassworks.^[8] It had a groove-ring wax sealer in a blue aquamarine glass.^[8] The jar is hand blown and has a tool applied to the lip.^[8] There were two patented fruit jars in 1875, and the name of their jars came to be called The Western Pride Self Sealing Jar.^[8] Shields and King & Co remarked that their jars were the cheapest on the market and that a wrench was unnecessary, therefore easier to open, setting them apart from their opponents.^[8]

In McDermott, Ohio and Newark, Ohio some sandstones contain substances with different levels of purity that are sufficient as a source of silica.^[2][9] Silica sand units were mined throughout Ohio during the Civil War.^[2] These units continued to grow; shortly after World War I, large amounts of silica products were produced in Ohio.^[2] In the 1900s, these sandstones brought in large amounts of money, especially over the past 35 years.^[2] In 1986, 2 million tons of silica sandstone was sold with a value of 24 million dollars.^[2] The name Licking County originated from the salt licks found on the river's banks.^[2] These salt licks were not only beneficial for glass making but were also enjoyed by the wildlife surrounding the area.^[2]

Holophane, founded in France in 1895, brought its glass technology to Newark, Ohio in 1902. It capitalized on the area's natural resources and skilled workforce.^[10] Initially collaborating with the A.H. Heisey Glass Company, Holophane established its own plant in 1910, however Holophane used Heisey-manufactured glass throughout the early 20th century. Heisey started manufacturing in Newark in 1896.^[11] In addition to this they worked together on other projects including the restoration of Heisey glass molds.^[1][12][13] Its creative glass products became essential for industrial and street lighting, particularly during World War II, when it supplied military bases and airfields.^[10]

After the war, Holophane expanded operations to nearby cities like Springfield and Pataskala, introduced overhead street lights in 1948, and diversified into decorative lighting.^[1] This glass boom extended to Utica, but was short-lived, folding during the great depression.^[14]

The Holophane company and other production companies were later run by Acuity Brands in 1999.^[15][16] Work changed drastically for the Newark department after Acuity Brands abruptly announced that it would be moving assembly lines to Mexico, leaving several Holophane employees without a job.^[15][1] Despite pushback from Congress in Ohio about their move to Mexico, Acuity was determined to move Holophane productions and dismissed other opinions.^[15] In 2008, Acuity Brands was under legal obligation to represent The Bill Clinton Climate Initiative before facing backlash due to the company's negligence in the Clean Water Act.^[15]

• Newark, Ohio
• Holophane
• Heisey Glass Company