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East Liverpool

East Liverpool, Ohio

East Liverpool (On the Highway since 1913) Population: 13,000.

Nestled in the verdant hills where Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia share the Ohio River, East Liverpool's little-known claim to fame is the first survey stake for plotting the seven ranges of the Northwest Territory.

 

At the Ohio Pennsylvania border is the 'point of beginning' where US surveyors laid out the grid as specified in the Land Township act of 1786.

This area was settled in 1800, and the news of clay deposits and coal drew the area's first potter, James Bennett, an English émigré. The beginning of his single kiln pottery business eventually drew thousands of skilled English technicians who's industry molded the town into its uniqueness we see today, thus earning the town's slogan Pottery Capital of America.

Prior to 1928, the Lincoln Highway entered Ohio at East Liverpool on what is now S. R. 39 from Pennsylvania to the east. In 1928, the route was changed to enter from Chester, West Virginia across the Ohio River.

  • East Liverpool offers pottery tours and sales outlets at Hall China Co. and Homer Laughlin China Co.

  • There is also the Museum of Ceramics which re-used the old Post Office building.

  • Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool

  • A Lincoln Highway's concrete post at the intersection of Broadway and E. Fifth.

  • The Lincoln Highway's Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River and the Newell Bridge, a historic and fun bridge to traverse with a small toll required.

  • The Carnegie Public Library are architecturally significant buildings to see.

  • There is beautiful scenery all year round, aided by the bridges of the Ohio River, and a town nestled along the hills. Look specifically for the views along the river and the Broadway Wharf.

  • Ask any local person about Pretty Boy Floyd's association with the town while you are there.

  • Gaming at the Mountaineer Casino

  • The Pottery City Antique Mall

  • Beaver Creek State Park, Tomlinson Run State Park and three golf courses

  • For great fast food, the Hot Dog Shoppe is at 320 Market Street downtown

 

Newell Bridge over the Ohio River

Along the Ohio River circa 1930.

 

The opening of the Lincoln Highway in East Liverpool was a real bang!

A motion picture crew arrived in East Liverpool in 1915, whose purpose was to take pictures along the Lincoln Highway for a premiere showing at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. It is believed that eight towns in Ohio made monetary contributions for the movie project in order to be included in the film. East Liverpool, at that time was the pottery center of the nation and celebrated the opening of the highway in a most unique way—by blowing up the old glass house kiln, which had been covered with pottery donated by local manufacturers.