East Liverpool, Ohio

Coordinates: 40°37′43″N 80°34′19″W / 40.62861°N 80.57194°W / 40.62861; -80.57194
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

East Liverpool, Ohio
School District
East Liverpool City SD
Websitehttp://www.eastliverpool.com/

East Liverpool is a city in southeastern Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. The population was 9,958 at the 2020 census.[5] It lies along the Ohio River within the Upper Ohio Valley and borders Pennsylvania to the east and West Virginia to the south. East Liverpool is included in the Salem micropolitan area, about 34 miles (55 km) from both Youngstown and downtown Pittsburgh.

East Liverpool is notable for its pottery industry, which was at one time the largest in the United States.[6] Holly Black's ceramic-themed novel Doll Bones is set in East Liverpool.

History

C.C. Thompson Pottery Co. c. 1912

petroglyphs exist in the area surrounding East Liverpool, including on Babbs Island and near the Little Beaver Creek.[7] Before the arrival of European Americans, Mingo, Lenape, and Wyandot peoples lived in the area until the Battle of Fallen Timbers led to the Ohio Country's settlement. The Public Land Survey System of the United States was established by Congressional legislation in 1785 in order to provide an orderly mechanism for opening the Northwest Territory for settlement. The ordinance directed the Geographer of the United States, Thomas Hutchins, to survey an initial east–west base line. Hutchins began in 1786, using as his starting point a stake on north bank of the Ohio River placed by a 1785 survey team from Virginia and Pennsylvania to fix their common north–south boundary. Hutchins' work, completed in 1787, established the Seven Ranges. This survey is believed to be "the first mathematically designed system and nationally conducted cadastral survey in any modern country."[8]

East Liverpool traces its founding to 1798, when

Liverpool, England. Over its first few decades, a grist mill, multiple stores, and wharves opened in the town.[10] The first schoolhouse opened in 1820, and the first religious center opened in 1834 when an Episcopal Church was established on a 4th Street site provided by town developers.[10] Liverpool was incorporated as East Liverpool in 1834 when Liverpool Township in Medina County objected to possible confusion.[10]

Odd Fellows Temple as depicted in 1910

Although

Western European immigration throughout the late 19th century.[10] Another large employer outside of that industry was the Crucible Steel Company in nearby Midland, Pennsylvania. By 1880, East Liverpool had grown to be the largest city in the county.[4] In 1905, the first city hospital opened.[11] As of 1914, East Liverpool was served by the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad.[12] On October 22, 1934, local police and FBI agents led by Melvin Purvis shot and killed notorious bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd
in a cornfield north of town after Floyd fled East Liverpool, and his body was returned to the town for embalming.

In the 1960s, much of the downtown area was cleared to make way for the 4-lane expansion of

Upper Ohio Valley area, as people moved away in search of work. Furthermore, many of the city's downtown businesses withdrew to strip malls in nearby Calcutta
or left the area outright.

The former East Liverpool Post Office (1909) now houses the Museum of Ceramics

In 1963, a toxic waste incinerator was erected at an S. H. Bell Company warehouse in East Liverpool. Local investors believed the incinerator could be an alternative to the declining ceramics industry.[14] In 2008, concerns were raised about toxic particles affecting East Liverpool residents' health,[15] particularly manganese,[15] which was found in high concentrations.[15] East Liverpool residents were found to have higher than normal levels of manganese, cadmium, and lead in their blood,[16] and the community was considered to be in a health crisis due to the presence of these toxic elements.[17][18][19] Government agencies worked with S. H. Bell to decrease the toxic metals being released into the surrounding air and land, and from 2006 to 2013 air quality improved. In 2014, hazardous and toxic particles in air quality assessments increased.[20] Activism to reduce the toxic waste began.[21][22] In 2005, the EPA declared the area surrounding the incinerator a "potential environmental justice area".[22]

In the mid-1990s, the city renovated its downtown district. To improve its urban design, it installed Depression-era lightposts, developed a new center called Devon's Diamond, and reconstructed the old high school's clock tower.[

micropolitan area.[4]

Pottery industry

Pitcher, c. 1861, by East Liverpool Porcelain Works

The potteries of East Liverpool became the national center of ceramic toilet and table wares, with 85 firms operating at one time or another making two-thirds of the national output from 1880 to 1950. East Liverpool's pottery district encompasses East Liverpool and the surrounding towns of Wellsville, Ohio, and Chester and Newell, West Virginia, directly across the Ohio River. In 1887, East Liverpool had 21 general ware potteries that employed 2,558 operatives. By 1923 the 17 firms had 7,000 employees and operated 270 kilns, with $25,000,000 in annual output.[23]

Englishman James Bennett established the industry in 1839, making use of good transportation and rich local clays. It quickly became the community's leading industry. East Liverpool became known as "The Crockery City." Potters from

Homer Laughlin China Company
.

Of these potteries, two continue to operate in the area: the American Mug & Stein Company and the

World's Fair in Chicago. The Museum of Ceramics
in downtown East Liverpool has the world's largest public display of Lotus Ware.

Geography

East Liverpool vicinity

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 4.76 square miles (12.33 km2), of which 4.56 square miles (11.81 km2) is land and 0.20 square miles (0.52 km2) is water.[27]

Neighborhoods include:

  • Beechwood
  • Downtown
  • East End
  • Fisher Park
  • Klondyke
  • Pleasant Heights
  • Thompson
  • West End
  • Sunnyside
  • Jethro

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1830136
1840503269.9%
185098796.2%
18601,30832.5%
18702,10560.9%
18805,568164.5%
189010,95696.8%
190016,48550.5%
191020,38723.7%
192021,4115.0%
193023,3299.0%
194023,5551.0%
195024,2172.8%
196022,306−7.9%
197026,24317.6%
198016,517−37.1%
199013,654−17.3%
200013,089−4.1%
201011,195−14.5%
20209,958−11.0%
Sources:[4][28][29]

2010 census

As of the census

Latino
of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 4,601 households, of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Latino
of any race were 0.72% of the population.

There were 5,261 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,138, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $27,346 versus $18,990 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,656. About 21.5% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.2% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

East Liverpool viewed from the east.

Arts and culture

East Liverpool's Carnegie Public Library was the first Carnegie library in Ohio.

Events

Since 1970, the annual Tri-State Pottery Festival in June has celebrated the local ceramics industry with local pottery exhibits, games, amusement rides, food vendors, and live entertainment.[31] Starting in 2021, the First Fridays on Fifth event series has taken place on the first Friday of each month from May to October, hosting local crafts, musicians, and food vendors.[32]

Library

The

industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, whose uncle lived in East Liverpool. Along with the Steubenville library, it was the first of the Carnegie libraries in Ohio.[33] Designed by the local A. W. Scott, it was built with Roman mottled buff-brown brick trimmed with white tile, with construction starting in 1900.[33] The lobby is of ceramic mosaic, the wainscoting of Italian marble and the solid brass hardware. The library opened on May 8, 1902, with Gertrude A. Baker of Mount Vernon, Ohio serving as its first librarian. The library underwent two renovations over the 1950s and early 1990s.[33]

Historic places

The Richard L. Cawood Residence (1923) is an example of Renaissance architecture and one of numerous city buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Due to being the home of a large industry with many wealthy business owners, 16 different properties and three historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in addition to the Beginning Point of the U.S. Public Land Survey, the only National Historic Landmark in Columbiana County.[34]

The

Second Empire architecture as well as its prominence as a commercial center in East Liverpool's history.[36]

Many historic properties in East Liverpool were the homesteads of prominent business owners throughout the late 19th century. These include the

Godwin-Knowles House (1890), and the Richard L. Cawood Residence (1923), all of unique architectural styles.[34]

The remaining structures on the listing are large, multi-story businesses that had historical significance in East Liverpool's economy and community during the 20th century, such as the original East Liverpool Post Office (1909), East Liverpool Pottery (1844), Andrew Carnegie's Public Library (1902), the original YMCA (1913), the Civil Works Administration's City Hall (1934), the Elks Club building (1916), Odd Fellows Temple (1907), Mary A. Patterson Memorial building (1924), Potters Savings and Loan (1904), the first Potters National Bank (1881), and the Travelers Hotel (1907).[34]

Parks and recreation

There are two public parks within East Liverpool city limits. Thompson Park was established after composer Will Lamartine Thompson donated 100 acres of land to the city in 1899.[37] It opened in 1900 as a green space to get away from the industry of the city.[38] It has been open ever since, and amenities include picnic pavilions, a swimming pool, a football field, a baseball field, a disc golf course, a playground and walking trails. The Broadway Wharf on the Ohio River includes a small public park and boat launch.[39]

Sports

The semipro

Willie Park, Jr., that opened on July 14, 1921.[40]

Government

East Liverpool operates under a mayor–council government. Eight council members are elected as a legislature for 2-year terms, comprising four separate wards, three at-large districts, and a council president.[1] In addition, an independently elected mayor serves as an executive.[1] The current mayor is Robert J. Smith, and the current council president is John A. Torma.[1] The mayor, auditor, treasurer, and law director are all elected to 4-year terms.

Education

John J. Purinton Hall, Kent State University at East Liverpool

Primary and secondary

Children in East Liverpool are served by the public

East Liverpool Junior/Senior High School
(grades 7-12).

Private schools include the East Liverpool Christian School for grades K-12 and the

Diocese of Youngstown before closing on June 6, 2015.[41]

Postsecondary

Kent State University has been operating a satellite campus, Kent State University at East Liverpool, since 1965. In tandem with the Kent State Salem campus, more than 20 degrees are offered, including 12 bachelor's degrees.[42] New Castle School of Trades opened a downtown campus in 2016.

Media

East Liverpool was once home to several newspapers in the 1800s, but most were consolidated into The Review, which today serves chiefly southern Columbiana County and northern Hancock County. Additionally, the Morning Journal out of Lisbon reports in the area.

The radio station WOHI 1490 AM has broadcast from the city since December 1, 1949, and is marketed as a classic hits station. The city also had a station on the FM dial 104.3, WOGI, but its license was moved to Moon Township, Pennsylvania, in 2000 and now serves the Pittsburgh radio market. Both stations were launched by the former East Liverpool Broadcasting Company.[43]

Transportation

The Jennings Randolph Bridge connects to West Virginia via U.S. Route 30.

Highways

The following highways pass through East Liverpool:

Bridges

Since the 1890s, East Liverpool and the West Virginia communities of Chester and Newell have been connected by three different bridges spanning the Ohio River.

  • Chester Bridge (1896–1969) – Connected College Street in East Liverpool with 1st Street in Chester. It was the original bridge to carry U.S. Route 30. The bridge closed on May 14, 1969, and was demolished in 1970.[44]
  • Homer Laughlin China Company out of Newell.[38]
  • Jennings Randolph Bridge (1977–present) – Replaced the demolished Chester Bridge in the 1970s as the span connecting East Liverpool and Chester, and carrying Route 30 over the river. Named for West Virginia congressman/senator Jennings Randolph (in office 1933–1947 and 1958–1985, respectively).[38]

Notable people

Sister cities

East Liverpool has one

sister city
:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "2023 General Election Results for Columbiana County" (PDF). Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Liverpool, Ohio
  4. ^ a b c d e "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "QuickFacts: East Liverpool city, Ohio". census.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "History - Museum of Ceramics". Ohio History Central. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  7. ^ "Indian Mounds & Petroglyphs". East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  8. ^ Mendinghall, Joseph S. (December 27, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Beginning Point / Beginning Point of the U.S. Public Land Survey" (pdf). National Park Service.
  9. ^ McCord, William B. (1905). History of Columbiana County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Biographical Publishing Company. p. 286.
  10. ^ a b c d "Very Early East Liverpool, Ohio". East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Memorable East Liverpool Dates". East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Beach, Chandler B.; McMurry, Frank Morton, eds. (1914). The New Student's Reference Work. Chicago: F.E. Compton and Company. p. 577. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  13. ^ "HOW EAST LIVERPOOL GOT HERE". East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  14. Project MUSE chapter 1278452
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  15. ^ a b c "High Levels of Manganese in the East Liverpool air in Ohio". Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. January 26, 2021.
  16. PMID 34246641
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  17. .
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  19. .
  20. ^ US EPA, REG 05 (October 7, 2016). "East Liverpool, Ohio and Glasgow Borough, Pennsylvania– Air Monitoring Data". www.epa.gov.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ProQuest 215338272
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  22. ^ a b Greene, Kristian Winfield, Ronnie (August 14, 2015). "Residents of Ohio town see 'environmental justice' as empty promise". Center for Public Integrity.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. S2CID 163404422
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  24. ^ William E. Van Vugt. British Buckeyes: The English, Scots, and Welsh in Ohio, 1700–1900. pp. 135–136, 137.
  25. ^ Witt, Joan. "The People of East Liverpool". East Liverpool Historical Society.
  26. ^ "ELHistSoc - the People of East Liverpool".
  27. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  28. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  29. ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  30. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  31. ^ Lehman, Liz (June 16, 2022). "52nd annual Tri-State Pottery Festival begins today". The Review. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  32. ^ "First Fridays on Fifth". TourismOhio. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c "A More Complete History". Carnegie Public Library; East Liverpool, Ohio. Carnegie Public Library. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  34. ^ a b c "National Register of Historic Places: Weekly List Actions". Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  35. ^ Cutter, William Richard, ed. (1922). American Biography: A New Cyclopedia; Volume 11. American historical society. p. 172. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  36. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  37. ^ [1]Archived March 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ a b c Judith A Allison, [email protected]. "ELHistSoc – Memorable East Liverpool Dates". Eastliverpoolhistoricalsociety.org. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  39. ^ Bobby-Gilbert, Jo Ann (July 29, 2019). "East Liverpool's Broadway Wharf Gets a Facelift". The Business Journal. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  40. ^ "East Liverpool Country Club". Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  41. ^ "After 130 years, St. Aloysius School will close". The Review. April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  42. ^ "Campuses". Kent.edu. Kent State University. 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  43. ^ "WOHI-FM First Air Date & Ownership" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook. 1960. pp. A-207. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  44. ^ "ELHistSoc -The Original Chester Bridge". www.eastliverpoolhistoricalsociety.org. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  45. ^ Shuba. "East Liverpool, Hamlin have unique relationship". The Weirton Daily Times. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  46. Newspapers.com
    .
  47. ^ "East Liverpool High School Sports History Trivia". eastliverpoolhistoricalsociety.org. East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

Further reading

External links