[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING 125 YEARS IN ROSSFORD, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an important milestone 
in Rossford, Ohio's history and the history of our region. The City of 
Rossford begins a weekend celebration today honoring its founding and 
the 125 years since. The celebration begins Friday evening with a 
community-wide grand opening celebration and continues Saturday with a 
parade and outdoor festivities along with exceptional entertainment.
  Rossford has a rather unique history. The very definition of a 
``company town,'' Rossford was built as a model town by Edward Ford, a 
founder of the Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company. In 1898, Mr. Ford 
purchased 173 acres along the Maumee River to build the Edward Ford 
Plate Glass Company. He named the city ``Rossford'' by combining the 
last name of his second wife, Caroline Ross, with his name.
  Because Rossford was a ``company town,'' Edward Ford--who was a 
generous philanthropist--helped to build churches, schools, and homes. 
In the heyday of the plants' production, grandfather, father, and son 
all worked for Edward Ford Plate Glass Company or Libbey-Owens-Ford.
  Edward Ford recruited hundreds of European immigrants, especially 
Eastern Europeans, to work in his new glass company. Thus, Rossford 
bears a rich and diverse cultural history including descendants of 
Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Italy 
and other European countries. Mr. Ford also encouraged Americans to 
migrate from other states to work in his factories. The amalgamation of 
so many different ethnicities and races brought a beautiful heritage to 
the Rossford community. Even today, organizations and churches in the 
city trace their own history to that of the early immigrants.
  The primary North-South and East-West arteries of the eastern United 
States intersect at Rossford. Thus, in addition to putting our region 
on the map as ``The Glass Capital of the World'' Rossford is also ``The 
Crossroads of America.'' It is a city representing small town USA while 
at the same time committed to a bright future.
  Even as Edward Ford found Rossford a desirable location 125 years ago 
and residents through the generations have found it to be true, the 
area that is now Rossford shares an ancient past as well. In 1963 boys 
playing in Rossford's Crane's Woods discovered a location where 
archaeologists later uncovered habitation structures and artifacts 
including shell-tempered pottery shards, brass decorative objects, and 
glass beads dating back to the pre-history of Europeans in the 1600s. 
Burial sites of over 100 individuals were also found. From prehistory, 
people were successfully living in the region.
  Today, Rossford remains a thriving community, living up to the 
success of its founder and the generations who built the city forward. 
We honor those forefathers and mothers in the events of this weekend, 
celebrating the past while investing in the future.

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