In 1863, D. P. Smith, George Hires Jr., John Lambert, & Charles Hires invested $8,000 each, to established the Quinton Glass Works for the manufacture of window, coach, and picture glass. In 1871, after some investor changes, it became Hires and Brother. In 1874, a glass broker, Prentiss Ward, became a part owner, and the name changed to Hires, Prentiss & Co.
The plant covered seven acres on the south bank of the Alloway Creek. The factory included several buildings, and a Belgian oven imported from Europe. There was also a large general store and fifty dwelling houses for the glass workers. The company also owned a steamer to transport glass to Philadelphia.
In 1880, Prentiss withdrew, and the firm became Hires & Co. About this same time, Hires-Turner, a distribution center, was created on Filbert Street in Philadelphia. Hires-Turner, the distributing Co., obtained glass from Hires & Co. in Quinton, but eventually began to purchase glass from other sources. By 1908, purchasing glass from the Quinton Glass Works was not economical for Hires-Turner, with lower priced glass available on the open market. This led to the Quinton plant ceasing operation in 1908.
The main product of the Quinton Glass Works in the 45 years of operation was flat glass. An early billhead from 1887, indicates “polished & rough plate, enameled, embossed, obscured cut & ground, and colored glass”. This same billhead also indicates “Flint and Green Glassware”, although I have no information on these products. The Glass Works was often recognized for their high quality product and they operated continuously with the Hires family at the helm. They had a few investors come and go, but the glass works was always highly thought of by the community. It was the main source of employment in Quinton for many years.