Nickel Plate Glass Company

Nickel Plate Glass Company

Company type	Private company
Industry	Glassware
Founded	1888 (1888)
Founder	Andrew J. Smith, Benjamin M. Hildreth, Peter Cassell, August Rolf, James B. Russell
Defunct	1891
Headquarters	Fostoria, Ohio, U.S.
Key people	Andrew J. Smith, James B. Russell, Charles Foster
Products	tableware Kerosene lamps bar goods
Number of employees	350 (January 1891)

The Nickel Plate Glass Company began producing tableware, lamps, and barware on August 8, 1888, in Fostoria, Ohio, on property contributed by community members. Established by seasoned glass artisans originally from West Virginia, the business was officially incorporated there in February 1888 before moving to northwest Ohio. This relocation aimed to exploit the region’s recently discovered natural gas reserves, a cost-effective energy source ideal for glass manufacturing. The company’s name was inspired by the nearby New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, commonly referred to as the "Nickel Plate Road."

The northwest Ohio region experienced a short-lived "gas boom" beginning in 1886 following the discovery of the Karg Well near Findlay, Ohio. This abundance of natural gas encouraged local enterprises to attract manufacturers, particularly glass producers. Nonetheless, by the early 1890s, the gas supply had been largely exhausted. On July 1, 1891, Nickel Plate became part of the United States Glass Company trust as Factory N, joining a conglomerate overseeing more than a dozen tableware factories. Initially operating independently within the trust framework, FactoryN ceased operations permanently on August 12, 1893, amid the economic challenges brought on by the Panic of 1893. Efforts to restart production were unsuccessful before the facility was destroyed by fire on August 28, 1895.

Having operated independently for nearly three years and an additional two years under trust management, Nickel Plate was one of thirteen glass manufacturers active in Fostoria between 1887 and 1920. Collectors highly value its designs such as 101 Pattern Glass, Columbian Coin, Double Greek Key, Frosted Circle, and Richmond. The company also crafted unique lamps featuring a patented double-screw mechanism connecting the base with the kerosene reservoir.

Background

During the late 1800s in the United States glass industry, labor and fuel costs represented significant expenses. Skilled glassworkers were in limited supply; firms like Wheeling’s J. H. Hobbs, Brockunier and Company actively recruited European craftsmen to train local personnel, thereby building highly skilled teams. Many former employees of Hobbs later assumed leadership roles at regional glass companies.

The availability of fuel was a crucial factor affecting production expenses. Traditional energy sources such as wood and coal were increasingly supplanted by natural gas due to its cleaner combustion, consistent heat output, and greater efficiency in melting glass batches. The discovery of the Karg Well near Findlay in 1886 sparked a regional natural gas boom that attracted numerous glass manufacturers by offering incentives including free land and cash bonuses. From 1886 into the early twentieth century, northwest Ohio became home to at least seventy glass factories. The city of Fostoria capitalized on its access to multiple railroads and gas pipelines to provide natural gas supplies to local industries.

Founding

In early 1888, glass industry experts from Wheeling, West Virginia and surrounding regions founded the Nickel Plate Glass Company in West Virginia. Principal investors included Peter Cassell, August Rolf, Andy J. Smith (who served as president and general manager), Benjamin Hildreth (secretary and treasurer), W. H. Robinson, and James B. Russell (plant manager). Both Hildreth and Russell had prior experience with Hobbs, Brockunier and Company as well as the Fostoria Glass Company. The enterprise derived its name from the nearby railroad line commonly referred to as the "Nickel Plate Road" (officially the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad).

Fostoria, Ohio was selected for the manufacturing facility due to an attractive incentive package offering $8,000 in cash, five acres of land, tax exemptions, and unlimited free natural gas. This package was supported by influential local figures such as Charles Foster—former Ohio governor and later U.S. Treasury Secretary—along with Rawson Crocker and Edward Marks. Foster’s participation connected the company to significant industrial and financial circles within Fostoria.

The factory design incorporated a 16-pot furnace, one of the largest in the nation at that time, indicating a substantial production capability. Initial employment was projected at approximately 80 workers, with about half recruited from Wheeling. This strategic combination of location and scale positioned Nickel Plate Glass Company to compete effectively in the glass manufacturing market.

Production

By July 1888, construction of the factory was finalized with the 16-pot furnace operational. Manufacturing commenced on August 8, concentrating on lamps, tableware, hand-blown tumblers, and barware products. The company also produced lines of crystal and opalescent glass. Pressed glass patterns constituted their main product focus. A trade publication in January 1889 reported that since opening, the plant had operated daily except for Christmas.

Operations continued through June 1889 before a planned summer shutdown with intentions to restart in autumn. Despite occasional interruptions caused by natural gas shortages—a frequent issue in northwest Ohio—the factory remained productive and introduced new glassware designs. Winters of 1888 and 1889 saw reduced or halted gas supply which affected production schedules. Nevertheless, by January 1891, Nickel Plate Glass Company had expanded its workforce to approximately 350 employees.

U.S. Glass

In February 1891, the United States Glass Company was established as a glass trust based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania through the merger of 13 glass manufacturers including Nickel Plate Glass Company. A.J. Smith from Fostoria served on its board of directors. The trust’s objective was to streamline operations and realize cost savings through consolidation.

While initially viewed as an attempt to dominate the tableware market and increase prices, some accounts suggested the trust planned to reduce prices instead. At the time of its creation, the U.S. economy was experiencing a recession but began recovering soon after. To lower production expenses, the trust sought concessions from labor unions and implemented automation—a tactical response aimed at diminishing union power, especially that of the influential American Flint Glass Workers' Union.

U.S. Glass invested heavily in large-scale automated plants located in Gas City, Indiana, and Glassport, Pennsylvania, utilizing mechanization to boost efficiency while cutting labor costs. On July 1, 1891, Nickel Plate Glass Company officially became part of the trust as Factory N, although it retained local brand recognition under its original name. The trust expanded rapidly by acquiring companies mainly from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, including financially distressed firms such as Fostoria’s Novelty Glass Company.

In contrast to several members of the trust, Nickel Plate was financially sound—by August 1891 it had doubled its capital through accumulated earnings during its initial three years of operation. Meanwhile, Fostoria Glass Company exited to relocate operations to Moundsville, West Virginia, seeking more reliable fuel supplies via local coal deposits. Operationally, FactoryN saw little change following acquisition; management remained largely stable with Smith moving from president to superintendent roles.

Nickel Plate

The Nickel Plate Glass Company was recognized for its glassware featuring distinctive swirling motifs, frequently enhanced with a delicate white opalescent cap, a design collectors refer to as Nickel Plate Swirl. In January 1889, the firm unveiled the Grecian key pattern (also known as Double Greek Key), which received acclaim for its elegance and was anticipated to become widely favored. By September of the same year, pattern number 76, called Richmond, emerged as one of the company’s best-selling designs.

April 1891 saw the introduction of pattern number 101, distinguished by a design that cleverly resembled the numbers "101" and included a patented double-screw mechanism linking the lamp base to its kerosene fuel reservoir. This advancement not only improved usability but also enhanced aesthetic appeal, demonstrating the company's commitment to merging functional innovation with attractive craftsmanship.

Factory N

Following the transition of the Nickel Plate facility into "FactoryN," the product offerings largely remained stable, continuing to manufacture well-liked patterns. In 1892, two significant designs were launched: Frosted Circle and Columbian Coin. The Frosted Circle (pattern number 15007) showcased a circle adorned with etched frosting and was also available in a non-etched version.

At the start of 1892, United States Glass Company’s FactoryO (formerly Central Glass Company) and FactoryH (formerly Hobbs Glass Company) began producing coin-patterned glassware that closely resembled U.S. currency. However, after roughly five months, federal authorities deemed this pattern illegal, resulting in the destruction of molds. To circumvent this legal issue, these factories developed an alternative design known as Columbian Coin.

In September 1892, FactoryN introduced pattern number 15005 1/2 as a replacement for the previous coin motif. This design gained notable attention at the Chicago World's Fair and included features such as coins depicting Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci, along with Masonic-themed items celebrating Chicago’s Masonic Temple.

Decline

In September 1892, United States Glass Company finalized plans to establish a highly automated facility in Gas City, Indiana, equipped with three 15-pot furnaces to capitalize on the region’s plentiful natural gas supply. The plant was projected to commence operations by spring 1893. In November of that year, Smith stepped down from his leadership role at FactoryN and relocated to Kent, Ohio, where he assumed management of the Edward Dithridge Company glassworks. To compensate for FactoryN’s shortage of natural gas, the company transitioned to oil-based fuel in January 1893.

Although fuel challenges were addressed, FactoryN encountered severe economic difficulties due to the Panic of 1893, which caused widespread deflation and elevated unemployment rates across the country. By August 1893, United States Glass Company announced the permanent shutdown of thirteen factories, including FactoryN. The corporation relied on large-scale automated non-union plants like Gas City to sustain production amid labor disputes. Efforts by local workers to revive FactoryN ended following its destruction by fire in 1895.

External links

• Nickel Plate Glass page – Fostoria Ohio Glass Association
• Nickel Plate various patterns – Early American Pattern Glass Society