history of Struthers
the Early years of Struthers
- 400 acres of land purchased in 1798 by John Struthers
- several furnaces built around 1800 along Yellow Creek brought industry to John Struthers
- in 1802, Dan and James Eaton built the first iron blast furnace west of the Allegheny Mountains
- Hopewell Furnace produced 2 tons of iron per day used primarily for the settlers
- Dan and James Eaton operated this furnace until 1808
- ruins can still be seen today, but are quickly falling victim to nature and vandals
- John Struthers prospered until the War of 1812 where he lost his industry and his lands
- the land lay dormant for 50 years when in 1865 Thomas Struthers (John's son) bought back the land his father had lost
- the village was given his family's name and set up within the year and had established 2 railroads and a post office by 1868
- between the years of 1868 and 1888 furnaces and mills were built and Struthers became an iron producing community
- population remained steady at about 1,000 inhabitants in the early 1900s, but with the steel industry booming, immigrants flooded the area and Struthers village became a city by 1920
- the city of Struthers flourished until 1977 when many of the steel mills closed their doors for good
- fun fact: a portion of the movie The Deer Hunter used Struthers for long distance shots and the Bowladrome on State Street was used as well in the film.
Struthers Historical Society
50 Terrace Street
Struthers, OH 44471
contact:
330-755-7189 - Marian
330-755-8073 - Mike
330-755-4495 - Laddie
50 Terrace Street
Struthers, OH 44471
contact:
330-755-7189 - Marian
330-755-8073 - Mike
330-755-4495 - Laddie
Strengths:
Struthers has a rich, wonderful history from its origin to its industry and the impact it had on the valley. With many of the sites of historical significance still visible today. Struthers also has a Historical Society and museum with all the history of Struthers.
Weaknesses:
One weakness is that the site of the Hopewell Furnace has fallen victim to the environment and vandals.
Struthers has a rich, wonderful history from its origin to its industry and the impact it had on the valley. With many of the sites of historical significance still visible today. Struthers also has a Historical Society and museum with all the history of Struthers.
Weaknesses:
One weakness is that the site of the Hopewell Furnace has fallen victim to the environment and vandals.
references:
http://www.cityofstruthers.com/history.aspx
http://www.oldindustry.org/OH_HTML/OH_Hopewell.html
http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=724
http://www.cityofstruthers.com/history.aspx
http://www.oldindustry.org/OH_HTML/OH_Hopewell.html
http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=724