Homer Laughlin China Co

Largest American maker of domestic and hotel china. Built in 1871 by Homer Laughlin and his brother Shakespeare, the Laughlin Pottery was one of the first whiteware plants in the country. Since 1897 successive generations continued to manage the company. Three new plants replaced the original facility. In 1907, a new 30-kiln plant was built across the Ohio River in Newell, the present headquarters. At this time the company operated 62 production kilns and 48 decorating kilns, providing a capacity of 30,000 pieces of finished pottery per day-- a full 10% of the dishes purchased in the US. Tours given. .