The Founding of Struthers, Ohio
Struthers, Ohio was purchased and founded in 1798 by John Struthers, originally named Marbletown.
John Struthers owned the land until the war of 1812 caused him and his family to suffer great financial loss.
The land was repurchased in 1865 by Thomas Struthers to honor his father (John Struthers).
Thomas had a great deal to do with the industry that was brought to the town in this time.
The town voted to change its name from Marbletown to Struthers some time after being purchased by Thomas Struthers.
John Struthers owned the land until the war of 1812 caused him and his family to suffer great financial loss.
The land was repurchased in 1865 by Thomas Struthers to honor his father (John Struthers).
Thomas had a great deal to do with the industry that was brought to the town in this time.
The town voted to change its name from Marbletown to Struthers some time after being purchased by Thomas Struthers.
The Birth of The Industry
The beginning of Struthers' industry begins in what we now call Yellow Creek Park, where the Hopewell Furnace resides to this very day.
The Hopewell Furnace is thought to be the very first furnace to be built in Ohio, having been created in the early 1800s, though an exact year is not certain.
The furnace is thought to have been used for around ten years with local historians claiming it shut down during the war of 1812.
In 1869, Struthers began producing Iron, and by 1880, sheet mills began opening.
Starting in the early 1900's and booming through the century, the steel industry attracted many European immigrants.
The village officially became known as the City of Struthers in 1920.
The steel industry thrived through the 1970's until many plants began closing their doors.
The city tried to compensate for the loss of thousands of jobs by using the industrial infrastructure, but nonetheless, population losses have continued through the beginning of the 2000's.
The Hopewell Furnace is thought to be the very first furnace to be built in Ohio, having been created in the early 1800s, though an exact year is not certain.
The furnace is thought to have been used for around ten years with local historians claiming it shut down during the war of 1812.
In 1869, Struthers began producing Iron, and by 1880, sheet mills began opening.
Starting in the early 1900's and booming through the century, the steel industry attracted many European immigrants.
The village officially became known as the City of Struthers in 1920.
The steel industry thrived through the 1970's until many plants began closing their doors.
The city tried to compensate for the loss of thousands of jobs by using the industrial infrastructure, but nonetheless, population losses have continued through the beginning of the 2000's.
The Present
Struthers is now a city that is historically rich, due to the past trials and tribulations faced, including the war of 1812's impact and the movement away from the steel industry. The industry came and went, but the history remains. Struthers has a wonderful resource known as the Struthers Historical Society, next door to City Hall, which sees that the history of the city is preserved.
Strengths
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Weaknesses
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References:
http://www.cityofstruthers.com/history.aspx
http://www.oldindustry.org/OH_HTML/OH_Hopewell.html
http://www.cityofstruthers.com/history.aspx
http://www.oldindustry.org/OH_HTML/OH_Hopewell.html