History East Liverpool, Ohio

the hall china company.

james bennett, english potter, established pottery industry in east liverpool, , became community s leading employer. east liverpool became known crockery city. 1870 through 1890, census showed city more doubled in population each decade, attracted new industrial workers growth of pottery industry. 1910, had more 20,000 people. east liverpool once produced more half of united states s annual ceramics output. throughout east liverpool s ceramics history, there more 300 potteries.

of these potteries, 3 continue operate in area: hall china company, homer laughlin china company (located across ohio river in newell, west virginia), , pioneer pottery. in mid-19th century, east liverpool produced of yellowware pottery used in united states. among famous of east liverpool s ceramics porcelain known lotus ware. produced knowles, taylor & knowles in 1890s, moorish- , persian-influenced artware swept competition @ 1893 world s fair in chicago. considered finest porcelain ever produced in us. museum of ceramics in downtown east liverpool has world s largest public display of lotus ware.

as of 1914, east liverpool served cleveland , pittsburgh railroad.

the city reached peak population of more 26,000 in 1970, east liverpool s pottery industry had begun decline mid-1960s or so. other industries, production moved developing countries labor costs cheaper. cost many jobs and, ultimately, population in ohio/west virginia area, people moved away in search of work.

in mid-1990s, city renovated downtown district. improve urban design, installed great depression-era lightposts, developed new center called devon s diamond, , reconstructed old high school s clocktower. building home of east liverpool high school alumni association.

east liverpool noted none violent action against waste technologies industry, inc. waste technologies industry, inc. incinerator built in impoverished community , sat less 300 feet away local homes , 1,100 feet elementary school. on 1,500 hundred people joined 1990 protest against facility. movement shut facility down go on support of clinton gore campaign while when visiting weirton west virginia issue brought campaigns attention. campaign promised see facility shut down not come action. despite failing standards meet approval incinerator continues exist day although thought green peace movement did directly impact closure of other unsafe facilities did not meet regulatory standards of epa.