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54-555: The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio , in 1905. The factory at one time was owned by the former West Virginia Glass Company. At first they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they became unable to buy the materials they needed. They moved across the Ohio River to Williamstown, West Virginia , and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production

108-503: A decorating company that purchased blanks from glass manufacturers and placed their own decorations on them. Fenton did not manufacturer glass until 1907 a year after the Williamstown, WV plant was built. Decorations found on three or more shapes On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months." Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in

162-455: A different color added to the rim of a piece. Marble or slag A type of glass that is opaque and streaked. It is usually a glass pressed in molds rather than being blown. Overlays Overlays are a type of cased glass. Cased glass is made up of different colors in layers. Vasa Murrhina is a cased glass; the name means vessel of gems. This type of glass has a long history pre dating Fenton. Frank M. Fenton had glass chemist Charles Goe develop

216-521: A household in the county was $ 29,714, and the median income for a family was $ 37,538. Males had a median income of $ 31,211 versus $ 19,890 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,221. About 11.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over. Belmont County is an Appalachian county in Southern Ohio, and as with many counties in this region

270-637: A number of clubs and organizations for veterans, ethnic groups and senior citizens. The city has multiple cemeteries, including Riverview Cemetery, St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Walnut Grove Pioneer Cemetery. The latter is the burial place of local heroine, Betty Zane , who saved Fort Henry in Wheeling during one of the last battles of the American Revolutionary War by hiding gunpowder inside her dress. Her brother, Ebenezer Zane , who cut Zane's Trace from Wheeling to Maysville, Kentucky , opening

324-462: A village in 1865 and renamed Martin's Ferry for Ebenezer's father's ferry. It was chartered as a city in 1885, and sometime later the apostrophe was dropped from the city's name. The city developed as an important industrial center during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It became an important rail hub and river port. Over the past 50 years, the town's population has decreased significantly as industries have closed or moved elsewhere. Today,

378-445: A way to make it since the way it was made was long forgotten. The piece starts out as a ball of glass that is rolled in small pieces of broken glass called frit. Then another layer of crystal was gathered over the frit. Fenton has an extensive line of MILK GLASS that also is offered in an array of patterns. Fenton had a long history of decorating glass that goes back to its beginnings in 1905. The Fenton Art Glass company started out as

432-546: Is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio . As of the 2020 United States census , the population was 66,497. Its county seat is St. Clairsville , while its largest city is Martins Ferry . The county was created on September 7, 1801, and organized on November 7, 1801. It takes its name from the French for "beautiful mountain". Belmont County is part of the Wheeling metropolitan area . Dille, Ohio, also known as Dilles Bottom ,

486-433: Is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the east, with its highest point, Galloway Knob (1,396' or 426m ASL) at 1.2 miles (1.9 km) southeast of Lamira . The county has a total area of 541.27 sqmi (1492 km ), of which 532.13 sqmi (1378 km ) is land and 9.14 sqmi (23.69 km ) (1.7%) is water. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 70,400 people, 28,679 households, and 18,761 families in

540-406: Is found on glass baskets. Where the glass handles of the baskets are attached to the base of the basket a stamp is made. Each handler had a specific pattern to help identify which handler attached the handle. The marks began in the 1950s and were instituted by Frank M. and Bill Fenton. Fenton used a coding system to describe the items it produced. The code used numbers for the pattern and letters for

594-682: Is located in and serves the city. In addition to the public school system, Martins Ferry is also served by two religious schools: St Mary's Catholic School and the Martins Ferry Christian School. Martins Ferry has a public library, a branch of the Belmont County District Library. James Wright wrote Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio . The James Wright Poetry Festival was held in Martins Ferry from 1981 to 2007. Belmont County, Ohio Belmont County

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648-457: Is served by several detention centers located around St. Clairsville . The Belmont Correctional Institution is located on 158 acres (0.64 km ) between St. Clairsville and Bannock on State Route 331 . The facility houses 2,698 inmates as of 2009. The Belmont County Jail in St. Clairsville is located near Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern Campus. The facility contains 144 beds and also houses

702-487: Is the larger of the two, is predominantly residential and commercial, and is home to most of the city's residents. It gradually rises to a steep hillside in the west that forms a natural wall. Directly across the river lies the city of Wheeling, West Virginia , and to the east is the Pennsylvania state line. The city of Columbus is 125 miles (201 km) to the west, and Pittsburgh is 59 miles (95 km) northeast of

756-501: The 2000 United States census , there were 70,226 people, 28,309 households, and 19,250 families in the county. The population density was 132.0 per square mile (51.0/km ). There were 31,236 housing units at an average density of 58.7 units per square mile (22.7/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White , 3.64% Black or African American , 0.14% Native American , 0.30% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.39% of

810-643: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Toledo & Ohio Railroad. The National Road also ran through Bellaire. Given the county's transportation resources, fuel resource, and experienced workforce in nearby Wheeling, West Virginia, the county was an excellent location for a glass manufacturing plant. The county's first glass works was the Excelsior Glass Works, which was organized in 1849. In 1866 Belmont Glass Company became Bellaire's first of many glass plants, and

864-567: The Ohio Country , a colloquial term for what is now much of Ohio, and western West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The grant called for among other things, establishment of a fort. The grant was for land south of the Ohio River in West Virginia (then Virginia). Settlement was hampered by the outbreak of the French and Indian War. The settlement was named Zanesburg (renamed Wheeling in 1795). The Ohio Company

918-576: The Ohio River across from Wheeling, West Virginia , it is part of the Wheeling metropolitan area . Martins Ferry is the oldest European settlement in the state of Ohio , having been settled at least as early as 1779, almost a decade before Marietta . The settlement got its start as a consequence of a land grant to George Mercer of the Ohio Company in 1748 from the British Crown for 200,000 acres in

972-547: The Ohio were the earliest settlers. The settlement formed in the shadow of Virginia's Fort Fincastle, later renamed Fort Henry on the Virginia side of the Ohio, built in 1774. The town was disbanded a couple of times before becoming established as Norristown in 1785. In 1795, the town of Jefferson was platted by Absalom Martin, one of the city's earliest settlers, who operated a ferry there. In 1801, he abandoned his plat when St. Clairsville

1026-676: The Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern. In 1940, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in French Opalescent, Green Opalescent and Cranberry Opalescent. The Hobnail pattern glass would become the top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to exist during WWII and to expand after the war. In the late 1940s, the top three members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton immediately stepped in and took over

1080-426: The age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age in

1134-421: The age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.86. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under

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1188-460: The age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 23,960, and the median income for a family was $ 32,365. Males had a median income of $ 30,486 versus $ 21,979 for females. The per capita income for

1242-407: The city was $ 16,672. About 16.1% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. There are 14 churches providing places of worship for Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Greek Orthodox Christians, Episcopalians and non-denominational Christians. There are also

1296-405: The city was 42.1 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female. During the census of 2000, there were 7,226 people, 3,202 households, and 1,959 families residing in the city. The population density

1350-649: The city's population is less than half of what it once was. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.33 square miles (6.03 km ), all land. The town is built on two basic plateaus between a hill and the Ohio River. The lower plateau, along the river, is dominated by a large industrial park, the Martins Ferry Football Stadium, and Ohio State Route 7 (a four-lane traffic artery that runs from north to south across eastern Ohio). The higher plateau, which

1404-490: The city. On the southern end of town, Martins Ferry is directly connected to the village of Bridgeport . The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and dry, cold winter temperatures. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Martins Ferry has a Humid continental climate . As of the census of 2010, there were 6,915 people, 3,022 households, and 1,787 families residing in

1458-476: The city. The population density was 2,967.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,145.9/km ). There were 3,431 housing units at an average density of 1,472.5 per square mile (568.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 91.6% White , 5.6% African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.1% Asian , 0.2% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race 0.7% of the population. There were 3,022 households, of which 27.3% had children under

1512-404: The color. There were also letter codes for any decorations. Some of the patterns used on items produced by Fenton were: Fenton made hundreds of different colors of glass over the time they were open. Carnival colors The color of carnival glass is the color of the applied treatment not the color of the piece of glass. Opalescent colors Crests This color combination consists of glass of

1566-457: The county seat in 1803. Its area was reduced in 1810 when area was ceded for the formation of Guernsey County and again in 1813 for the formation of Monroe County . It has retained its boundaries unchanged since 1813. Belmont is the French toponym meaning "beautiful mountain". Settlers migrating westward followed Zane's Trace through the county. Later, the National Road was built through

1620-508: The county's government offices are located in the Belmont County Courthouse. Belmont County has a three-member board of county commissioners who administer and oversee the various county departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. The elected commissioners serve staggered four-year terms. As of 2019, Belmont County's elected commissioners are: Jerry Echemann (R), J. P. Dutton (R), and Josh Meyer (R). Belmont County

1674-462: The county. Quakers were among the county's first settlers. Many of these people would become outspoken critics of slavery , including famous abolitionist Benjamin Lundy . Belmont County is located in the Ohio coal belt. At one time, steamships traveling down the Ohio River knew the county's community of Bellaire as the last stop for coal until Cincinnati. In 1866, the county had railroad service from

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1728-416: The county. The population density was 132.3 people per square mile (51.1 people/km ). There were 32,452 housing units at an average density of 61.0 units per square mile (23.6/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% white, 4.0% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of

1782-480: The east side of Ohio. Its east border abuts the west border of West Virginia (across the Ohio River ). The Ohio flows southward along the county's east line. Captina Creek flows eastward through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Ohio at Powhatan Point , and McMahon Creek also flows eastward through the center of the county, discharging into the Ohio at Bellaire . The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched with drainages. All available area

1836-461: The end of 1907, the Fenton brothers were the first to introduce carnival glass , which later became a popular collector's item. During the Great Depression and World War II , Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for

1890-469: The factory were still able to watch the beadmaking demonstrations and purchase Fenton Art Glass. In June 2017, Wood County Schools Superintendent John Flint signed an agreement to purchase the land that the former Fenton Glass Factory occupied. In October 2017, it was announced that demolition of the factory buildings would begin by the end of 2017, and that a new school would occupy the factory's employee and visitor parking areas. As of 2018, art glass using

1944-513: The following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off. However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008. In an open letter in August 2008, company president George Fenton said that thanks to the buying frenzy, the company had been able to institute some reforms, and would not be closing in

1998-409: The foreseeable future. On July 6, 2011, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "wind down production of its collectible and giftware glass products." According to WTAP TV, "The company cites financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007 and recent developments as factors in its decision to shut down its traditional glassmaking business. Fenton Art Glass says it's exploring

2052-538: The original Fenton mold designs, including the Fenton emblem, continued to be produced at another factory in nearby Ohio, while handcrafted jewelry and hand painted items continued to be offered at the Fenton Art Glass Gift Shop. Martins Ferry, Ohio Martins Ferry is the most populous city in Belmont County, Ohio , United States. The population was 6,260 as of the 2020 census . Located along

2106-535: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of German , 12.5% Irish , 12.0% American , 10.3% English , 10.2% Italian and 9.0% Polish ancestry according to the 2000 census . There were 28,309 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who

2160-469: The population. In terms of ancestry, 26.0% were German , 17.9% were Irish , 12.4% were English , 10.1% were Italian , 9.0% were Polish , and 6.2% were American . Of the 28,679 households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

2214-448: The positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass factories closing down. In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company. In 1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of their "Original Formula" Carnival Glass pieces to distinguish them from their older Carnival Glass pieces. By 1974, Fenton

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2268-446: The sales of one or more of its product lines." Fenton ceased "traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown, West Virginia, factory in July 2011. However, the factory remained open as a jewelry making operation, producing handcrafted glass beads and Teardrop earrings. The Fenton Gift Shop, located in the same building, also had a large quantity of glass remaining in their inventory. Visitors to

2322-574: The second in Belmont County. Some of the founders of this glass works later started another glass factory in Bellaire: the Bellaire Goblet Company . In 1880, the state of Ohio ranked fourth in the country in glass production, and Belmont County ranked sixth among the nation's counties. By 1881, Bellaire had 15 glass factories, and was known as "Glass City". At the beginning of the next decade,

2376-515: The state of Ohio was ranked second in the nation in glass production based on the value of the product. Belmont County was the venue for the world-famous Jamboree in the Hills outdoor country music festival from 1977 to 2018. In 1986, the syndicated Paul Harvey Show featured a special election being held in Belmont County for purposes of selecting a new official county seal and flag, created by then-county resident Michael Massa. Belmont County lies on

2430-609: The west for settlement, is also buried in Walnut Grove Pioneer Cemetery, along with Absalom and Ebenezer Martin and other important early settlers. The volunteer fire department celebrates Betty Zane Frontier Days annually, in honor of American Revolutionary War participant Betty Zane . In early spring, the city holds a Soap Box Derby. The children of Martins Ferry are educated by the Martins Ferry City School District. Martins Ferry High School

2484-487: Was 1907. In 1908 John Fenton left the company and founded the Millersburg glass company in Millersburg, OH. Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. From 1905 to 1920, the designs made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies: Tiffany and Steuben . But the many different colors were the work of Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass. Towards

2538-467: Was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 38,320 and the median income for a family was $ 47,214. Males had a median income of $ 42,022 versus $ 26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,266. About 12.1% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over. As of

2592-483: Was 3,345.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,291.6/km ). There were 3,680 housing units at an average density of 1,703.6 per square mile (657.8/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.19% White , 5.11% African American , 0.30% Native American , 0.04% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.22% from other races , and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population. There were 3,202 households, out of which 26.5% had children under

2646-438: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90. The county population contained 21.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males. The median income for

2700-612: Was dissolved in 1779, and claims issued by the Crown became moot after the Revolutionary War. The community across the river was a westward extension of Zanesburg, but at that time, settlement on the west bank of the Ohio River was prohibited by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix , 1768. Through the years, it has been known as Hoglinstown, Mercertown, Norristown (1785), Jefferson (1795), Martinsville (1835), and Martin's Ferry (1865). Squatters from across

2754-535: Was located across the Ohio River from Moundsville, West Virginia . It was founded by the sons of David Dille (b. 1718) around 1790 and was initially a fort called Fort Dille. Belmont County was authorized in September 1801 by the Northwest Territorial legislature , with area partitioned from Jefferson and Washington counties. The county would be organized two months later with St. Clairsville being named as

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2808-423: Was putting their logo on some of the pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under the letter "n" in the logo, pieces from the 1990s have the number nine and pieces made in the 2000s have a 0 in the same place. From June 1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sold in their gift shop with a sandblasted solid or hollow star. In August 1998 an F replaced the star. Another type of mark

2862-486: Was selected as the county seat of the newly organized county of Belmont , one of the founding territories of the Northwest Territory . In 1835, Ebenezer Martin, the son of Absalom Martin, redesigned the town, which he called Martinsville , with a grid system of streets, much of which survives to this day. Martinsville remained an unincorporated settlement for a relatively long time. It was eventually incorporated as

2916-569: Was solidly Democratic from the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration through the 1990s. Back in the 19th century, the county frequently voted Republican, including voting for Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Similar to counties in neighboring West Virginia and Kentucky , in Appalachia, the Democratic margins began to shrink in the 2000s, and the county became reliably Republican by 2012. Most of

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