
The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company has a rich history that spans over 70 years, with its roots dating back to 1903. The company started in New Martinsville, West Virginia, where it manufactured a variety of glass products.
One of the most notable aspects of Hazel-Atlas is its iconic glassware designs, which have become highly collectible. The company's glassware was known for its vibrant colors and unique patterns.
The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company was acquired by Federal Glass Company in 1937, marking a significant turning point in its history.
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Company History
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company was created in 1902 through the merger of four earlier companies, including Hazel Glass, Atlas Glass, Republic Glass, and Wheeling Metal.
The company's early success was marked by the production of fruit jars, which were in high demand at the time. Atlas Glass Company, one of the founding companies, started producing fruit jars in 1896 using a 20-ton, six-ring continuous tank.
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By 1900, Hazel Glass had purchased the Griffith Tin Plate Company and converted it to glass production, adding to the company's growing capabilities. The new plant became Hazel No. 2, while the original facility became Hazel No. 1.
Hazel-Atlas expanded its operations over the years, adding new plants in various locations, including Grafton, West Virginia, and Lancaster, New York. By the late 1930s, the company had 15 factories across the United States.
Here is a list of some of the key milestones in Hazel-Atlas' history:
- 1896: Atlas Glass Company begins producing fruit jars
- 1900: Hazel Glass purchases the Griffith Tin Plate Company and converts it to glass production
- 1902: Hazel-Atlas Glass Company is formed through the merger of four earlier companies
- 1916: Hazel-Atlas adds a new plant with a single tank in Grafton, West Virginia
- 1920: Hazel-Atlas acquires the Oklahoma Glass Bottle Company and the Kearns-Gorsuch Glass Company
- 1923: Hazel-Atlas builds a second factory at Zanesville, Ohio
- 1929: Plants are added in Oakland, California, and Lancaster, New York
- 1931: Hazel-Atlas completes a new corporate headquarters in Wheeling, West Virginia
The company's headquarters were housed in several buildings in downtown Wheeling, including the West Virginia Customs House, the Pythian Building, and the Central Union Building. The company hired Edward Bates Franzheim to design a corporate headquarters, which was completed in 1931 for $200,000.
In the 1950s, Hazel-Atlas was a major producer of inexpensive "Depression Glass" table sets, which were made in a variety of colors, including pink, green, blue, colorless, and black. The company's glass plants in West Virginia produced hundreds of thousands of glass premiums, which were given away in products such as oats and coffee.
Atlas Glass Company
The Atlas Glass Company was a crucial part of the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company's early success. It was incorporated in April 1896 by Hazel Glass to produce fruit jars.
Atlas started by utilizing a 20-ton, six-ring continuous tank and by September, it was producing 30,000 Mason jars a day on five Blue machines. This was a remarkable feat of efficiency.
In 1900, Hazel Glass purchased the Griffith Tin Plate Company and converted it to glass production, which became Hazel No. 2 while the original facility became Hazel No. 1. This expansion allowed the company to produce a wider range of items.
The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company was formed in 1902 from the combination of Hazel Glass, Atlas Glass, Republic Glass, and Wheeling Metal.
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Company Names
The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company had a few different names before it became the company we know today.
The company started out as the Hazel Glass Company, which was incorporated in April 1896 to produce fruit jars.
The Atlas Glass Company was formed in 1896 to produce fruit jars, and it quickly expanded its operations to include a wide range of products.
In 1900, the Griffith Tin Plate Company was purchased and converted to glass production, becoming Hazel No. 2.
The Republic Glass Company was formed in 1900 by Charles Brady's brother, W.S. Brady, to produce jelly glasses and pressed tumblers.
The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company was formed in 1902 from the combination of Hazel Glass, Atlas Glass, Republic Glass, and Wheeling Metal.
The company's name changed again in 1920 when it acquired the Oklahoma Glass Bottle Company and the Kearns-Gorsuch Glass Company.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you identify Hazel Atlas glass marks?
To identify Hazel Atlas glass marks, look for a distinctive logo featuring a capital "H" with a smaller capital "A" inside. This monogram is a key indicator of Hazel Atlas glassware.
How old are Hazel Atlas jars?
Hazel Atlas jars are approximately 118 years old, dating back to the company's founding in 1902. These vintage jars have a rich history, made by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, which produced them for over six decades.
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