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Seneca Glass Company History

Seneca Glass Company, Fostoria, Ohio (1891-1896), Morgantown, West Virginia (1896-1983).

When the Fostoria Glass Company relocated from Fostoria, Ohio, to Moundsville, West Virginia, they left behind a vacant plant, which was occupied in 1891 by the newly-formed Seneca Glass Company. Their specialty was blown ware, with a large decorating shop established right from the beginning, offering etchings, cuttings, and engravings. Within a few years, they moved to Morgantown, where they continued to expand and diversify. In 1897, they advertised that they were "the largest manufacturers of Blown Goods in the world. Our output is 3,000 Dozen every twelve hours." Decorations were elaborate and varied and helped to establish Seneca's reputation for quality. A second factory was established in 1913 in nearby Star City, where less expensive wares were produced. Factory B remained in operation until the 1930s. By the 1950s, changing tastes and economic factors led to the introduction of more informal glassware, supplementing their cut and etched wares. By the 1970s foreign competition led the company to emphasize casual lines to an even greater extent, but without lasting success. In 1982, the company was sold to a group of Malaysian investors, who reorganized it as Seneca Crystal, Inc. Less than a year later, in August 1983, the new company filed for bankruptcy and all assets were sold.

? From The Glass Candlestick Book, volume 3, by Tom Felt, Rich & Elaine Stoer (reprinted with permission)

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Date:	29.04.2007 20:41
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Added by:	Tom Felt