OVERVIEW
There has been the presence of the glass industry in Salem County New Jersey since the early 18th Century, although not continuous. There was a gap of about 80 years through the early 19th century. The first glass production started in 1739, just north of Alloway, New Jersey, at the Wistarburgh Glass Works. This factory made mostly window lites and bottles, and operated until 1782.
In the early 1860’s, several factors made it ideal for glass production to return to Salem County. The railroad was finally going to reach Salem, allowing a constant supply of coal to be used for fuel for making glass. There also was the Civil War, which created many markets for glass bottles. After a gap of eighty years, Henry Hall, Joseph Pancoast, and John Craven started making glass in 1862, at a plant between Griffin Street and the Salem River in Salem, New Jersey. It was known as the Salem Glass Works. This plant has operated continuously for over 100 years under several different ownerships, and is still in operation. In 1863, Holz, Clark, and Taylor started making glass on Front Street in Salem. This plant eventually became the Gayner Glass Works and operated continuously until 1979. Also in 1863, Smith, Hires, Lambert, and Hires started a window glass factory in Quinton, New Jersey. This plant eventually became Hires & Co. and then Hires-Turner Glass Co. Although Hires-Turner continues to sell window glass, the Quinton plant ceased production in 1908. In 1885, the Elmer Glass Companies Lower Works started making window glass in Elmer, New Jersey. This plant eventually made fruit jars and insulators, and closed in 1907. In 1896, G. M. Bassett started the Upper Works in Elmer. This plant also made fruit jars and novelties before closing in 1907. And finally, in 1890, some out of work glassworkers started the Alva Glass Manufacturing Co. off of West Broadway near Majors Wharf in Salem. They ceased operation in 1899.
With glass production starting in the early 18th century, and production continuing into the 21st century, Salem County can be proud of its’ very long history with glass production.