Today in Wheeling History: May 22—Warwood Tool Company holds a groundbreaking ceremony for its new plant in Warwood, West Virginia (1904).
On May 22, 1904, the Warwood Tool Company held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility in what would become the town of Warwood. This pivotal moment marked the relocation of a company founded by English immigrant Henry Warwood. Born February 23, 1823, in Staffordshire, England, Henry Warwood was the son of William Warwood, a skilled toolmaker employed at Brade Steel Works. Henry began working at age nine and attended night school while employed in local factories before emigrating to America in 1848 at age 25.
Henry first settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, then moved to the Pittsburgh area manufacturing forks before establishing his tool business in Martin's Ferry, Ohio in 1854. His business specialized in wrought iron rakes, hoes, and miners' tools, with his coal picks becoming renowned among miners as "the standard of excellence." Following Henry's retirement in 1892, the company was sold to Daniel L. Heiskell and relocated to Wheeling, initially operating on McColloch Street. In September 1892, Heiskell sold the company to B. Walker Peterson and associates for $10,000.
The new factory began operations in 1905, and the surrounding community took the company's name. Warwood incorporated as an independent town on May 26, 1911, but was annexed to Wheeling on January 1, 1920, as part of the Greater Wheeling Movement, despite local opposition. Throughout its nearly 170-year history, American soldiers have relied on Warwood Tool products in every war since the Civil War, including their famous entrenching mattock used extensively in World Wars I and II. Today, the company remains family-owned and operated, having changed ownership only seven times, with President Chris Azur and Chief Operating Officer Rob Taylor continuing the tradition of manufacturing 100% American-sourced hand tools.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3pyjt78e); Warwood Tool Company Official Website (https://tinyurl.com/3bfnstjx), Historic Structures Database (https://tinyurl.com/mrnazrc5), Wheeling Heritage Warwood Project (https://tinyurl.com/bdjyaues), Library of Congress Historic American Engineering Record (https://tinyurl.com/ybcr5w98)
Photo caption and credit: General view of the east front of Warwood Tool Company, foot of 19th Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV (Library of Congress)
On May 22, 1904, the Warwood Tool Company held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility in what would become the town of Warwood. This pivotal moment marked the relocation of a company founded by English immigrant Henry Warwood. Born February 23, 1823, in Staffordshire, England, Henry Warwood was the son of William Warwood, a skilled toolmaker employed at Brade Steel Works. Henry began working at age nine and attended night school while employed in local factories before emigrating to America in 1848 at age 25.
Henry first settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, then moved to the Pittsburgh area manufacturing forks before establishing his tool business in Martin's Ferry, Ohio in 1854. His business specialized in wrought iron rakes, hoes, and miners' tools, with his coal picks becoming renowned among miners as "the standard of excellence." Following Henry's retirement in 1892, the company was sold to Daniel L. Heiskell and relocated to Wheeling, initially operating on McColloch Street. In September 1892, Heiskell sold the company to B. Walker Peterson and associates for $10,000.
The new factory began operations in 1905, and the surrounding community took the company's name. Warwood incorporated as an independent town on May 26, 1911, but was annexed to Wheeling on January 1, 1920, as part of the Greater Wheeling Movement, despite local opposition. Throughout its nearly 170-year history, American soldiers have relied on Warwood Tool products in every war since the Civil War, including their famous entrenching mattock used extensively in World Wars I and II. Today, the company remains family-owned and operated, having changed ownership only seven times, with President Chris Azur and Chief Operating Officer Rob Taylor continuing the tradition of manufacturing 100% American-sourced hand tools.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/3pyjt78e); Warwood Tool Company Official Website (https://tinyurl.com/3bfnstjx), Historic Structures Database (https://tinyurl.com/mrnazrc5), Wheeling Heritage Warwood Project (https://tinyurl.com/bdjyaues), Library of Congress Historic American Engineering Record (https://tinyurl.com/ybcr5w98)
Photo caption and credit: General view of the east front of Warwood Tool Company, foot of 19th Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV (Library of Congress)
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