Imperial
Glass
Factory

Front Row: Carlos Brooks, P. Bennington, ?, L. Paul, Conroy, Mooney, P Zbuck, S.Shackleford, Elmer McClos?, E. DeBula

Second Row: C. Mellott, H. Myers, Boots Paul, E. Bowen, O. Battistelli, T. Boprovich, B. (Murph) Murphy, Clyde Kenaepi?

Third Row:  ?, M. Parr, Ivan Porter, C. Ebbets, S, Day, ?, K. Porter, Al (Big) Day

Fourth Row:   Jim Ebbets, Dutch Schramm, (3^rd from right) Raymond Connors, Bellhop Crawford

Top Row:  Joe Flaherty, Frank Kapiceli, (Doggie) Hwevrick, (5^th from left) John Connors, (7^th from left) Payday Paddy (Patrick) Connors

"With ready access to materials, fuel, skilled labor, and transportation, the Ohio Valley became the center of the American glass industry during the late 1800s.  Among dozens of local manufacturers, the Imperial Glass Company, founded in 1901 by riverman and financier Edward Muhleman, first made glass in 1904 and distinguished itself for mass production of attractive and affordable pressed glass tableware using continuous-feed melting tanks.  One of the largest American handmade glass manufacturers during the 20th century, Imperial also produced blown glass, several lines of art glass, and its trademark "Candlewick" pattern.  Bellaire's glassmaking era ended when the "Big I" closed its door in 1984, and the building was razed in 1995.  Its diverse products remain highly prized by glass collectors.

(photo taken from National Imperial Glass Museum dedication program)
This historical marker was recently unveiled in Bellaire in front of the new National Imperial Glass Museum. (February 7, 2003)

The Ohio Bicentennial Commission
The Longaberger Company
Imperial Glass Museum
The Belmont County Tourism Council
The Ohio Historical Society
2003