The Glassworks at Indiana, Pennsylvania.
By Glen & Stephen Thistlewood, August 2023. © 2023
We present here a series of plans featuring the glassworks in Indiana, Pennsylvania, from the late 1800s through to 1916. These begin with the early Northwood glassworks and go through the Dugan years into the Diamond era. The plans are amazing pieces of information and are sourced from an impressive series of fire insurance maps by the Sanborn Map Company. Before we go any further, it’s important to mention that the succession of glassworks we are looking at on this site does not include the Indiana Glass Company that is well known for its Revival era Carnival. That company's glassworks was located in Dunkirk, Indiana (not in Pennsylvania). The glass factory location that we are focussing on here was located in Pennsylvania, in a town called Indiana, about 50 miles NE of Pittsburgh (in Indiana County). In 1892 a glassworks called The Indiana Glass Company began production on the edge of the town, on a street that became known (appropriately) as Glass Avenue. It was located strategically alongside the recently established railroad and had its own siding for loading and unloading. The company lasted a few years, making items such as table glass, lighting and fruit preserving ware – and it is interesting to note that Frank L Fenton began his glass career as an apprentice in this very factory. In 1896 the premises changed hands and became the Northwood Company. |
Please note that in the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps shown below, the exact same premises at the same location are shown at different dates over time. All of the plans shown on this page are of the same premises – but we cannot always alter the orientation without making the text unreadable. Please be aware of this. Northwood at Indiana, Pennsylvania (1896-1899) Harry Northwood – already a successful glass maker – employed his cousins, Dugan brothers (Tom and Alfred) at the Indiana, PA glassworks (Thomas Dugan was Superintendent). No Carnival Glass was made here at this time. The ad here on the right provides an insight into the sort of glass that was being made at that time. In 1899, Northwood sold these works at Indiana, Pennsylvania, to the National Glass Co. and returned to his home country of England. In 1901, he would return to the USA and establish the Northwood Glass Company at Wheeling, which is where Northwood subsequently made his splendid Carnival Glass. |
1896 ad for Northwood in the Glass and Pottery World journal
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Plan of the Indiana, Pennsylvania works in 1897.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1897, showing the Northwood Company building in Indiana, PA., and the fire safety measures it had. Public Domain.
The annotation shows that there was one night watchman on duty, and that fire control depended on "city water" with hose connections, barrels and buckets throughout, and 6 chemical extinguishers. The plant used natural gas (including for lighting) and steam power for equipment and heating.
The annotation shows that there was one night watchman on duty, and that fire control depended on "city water" with hose connections, barrels and buckets throughout, and 6 chemical extinguishers. The plant used natural gas (including for lighting) and steam power for equipment and heating.
National Glass at Indiana, Pennsylvania (1899-1903). The National occupied the glassworks premises on the site at Indiana, PA., between 1899 to 1903. During that time, Thomas Dugan was the factory manager of the National Glass Company. Carnival Glass was not made here then. On the right is a detail from a panoramic map of the
National Glassworks at Indiana, PA. in 1900. It was drawn by T. M. Fowler. Shown courtesy Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission – State Archives. |
Plan of the Indiana, Pennsylvania works in 1903.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1903, showing the National Glass Company building in Indiana, PA., and the fire safety measures it had. Public Domain.
Compared with 1897, there are now two night watchmen, and essentially the same fire control arrangements. Note however that in addition to natural gas and steam power, the plant now also used electricity for lighting. The other notable change was the addition of the hay building (presumably for storing), separately located away from the main building. The addition of a "Decorating Lehr" next to the "Decorating Room" would suggest that decorating now included using fired-on techniques.
Compared with 1897, there are now two night watchmen, and essentially the same fire control arrangements. Note however that in addition to natural gas and steam power, the plant now also used electricity for lighting. The other notable change was the addition of the hay building (presumably for storing), separately located away from the main building. The addition of a "Decorating Lehr" next to the "Decorating Room" would suggest that decorating now included using fired-on techniques.
What is especially noticeable from the plan, is the linear layout of the factory, which used a production line type of arrangement to suit glass working practices: from melting the raw materials in the stack and pressing the glass, then through the lehrs (to anneal and cool the glass items), to grinding, sorting, inspection, decorating, packing and despatch via the railway.
Dugan at Indiana, Pennsylvania (1903/4 -1913). The National Glass Co. decided to sell their glassworks at Indiana PA, and in 1903/4 Thomas Dugan and a group of investors purchased the plant. On the right is a picture of the glassworks as it looked when it was owned by Dugan. The railway line and the siding serving the Dugan Glass Co., can be seen clearly, and - if you look at the Fire Insurance Map - you can see that the siding track runs between the Packing Room and the Hay House. |
Above: Dugan Glass Company, early 1900s, courtesy Indiana Gazette.
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Plan of the Indiana, Pennsylvania works in 1910.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1910, showing the Dugan Glass Company building in Indiana, PA., and the fire safety measures it had. Public Domain.
There seems to be relatively little overall change since the 1903 map. Note however, the reference to using a "Newman W. Clock" and "15 Stations - Hourly Rounds" - this was a security / fire security system whereby the watchmen recorded the timings of their inspection rounds around the factory.
There seems to be relatively little overall change since the 1903 map. Note however, the reference to using a "Newman W. Clock" and "15 Stations - Hourly Rounds" - this was a security / fire security system whereby the watchmen recorded the timings of their inspection rounds around the factory.
Dugan made some stunning pieces of Classic Carnival, such as the square shaped Butterfly and Tulip bowl (below, left). They excelled at a colour / treatment known as peach opal as shown by the unswung Lined Lattice vase (right). Some peach opal examples had added enamelled decoration, as shown in the ad (below, right) from Butler Brothers wholesale catalogue in late 1910. A purple square shaped Butterfly and Tulip bowl.
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Above, a peach opal Lined Lattice vase, and below, a selection of peach opal (referred to as "pearl edges") with "burnt in" enamelled decoration from 1910.
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Diamond Glassware Company (1913 – 1931)
Thomas Dugan was ousted from the company that bore his family name in 1913. His departure was soon followed by that of his brother Alfred. There was considerable mystery and intrigue surrounding their departure from the business that bore their name: we revealed all about it in our NetworK ezine #56.
Afterwards, the name of the business became the Diamond Glass Company, and then it changed again to the Diamond Glassware Company.
Thomas Dugan was ousted from the company that bore his family name in 1913. His departure was soon followed by that of his brother Alfred. There was considerable mystery and intrigue surrounding their departure from the business that bore their name: we revealed all about it in our NetworK ezine #56.
Afterwards, the name of the business became the Diamond Glass Company, and then it changed again to the Diamond Glassware Company.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1916, showing the Diamond Glassware Company building in Indiana, PA., and the fire safety measures it had. Public Domain.
As with the situation in 1910, there seems to be few changes. Note again that the security measures had been changed so that now the watchmen
have to physically punch on at the 15 recording stations (7 hourly and 8 half-hourly).
As with the situation in 1910, there seems to be few changes. Note again that the security measures had been changed so that now the watchmen
have to physically punch on at the 15 recording stations (7 hourly and 8 half-hourly).
We have full coverage of the frenzy created by the arrival of the Graf Zeppelin over New York, including a link to some not-to-be-missed contemporary newsreel footage of the event. You will not believe the risks taken by one photographer to get that "perfect" picture: The Day New York went Crazy!
In 1931 a fire razed the sections of the Diamond Glassware Company that housed the stockroom, decorating room and packing room. Several theories about the cause of the fire were reported locally, but no firm evidence was offered; a spark from a passing train landing in the hay house alongside the track, or that an electrical storm and electricity outage the day before had caused a smouldering spark, or that rags soaked with turpentine and banana oil (used in the glassworks) had spontaneously combusted. Despite some optimism, the factory was not rebuilt - the prevailing economic conditions of the early 1930s were not good, and the Great Depression was making itself felt. Shortly afterwards, the Diamond Glassware Company finally closed what was left of its doors, and the glassworks was no more.
All the information about Dugan and Diamond on our website, including Carnival Glass Galleries, is linked from the Dugan and Diamond Homepage. Click on the image below.