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              Ball Glass Factory The Discovery of Natural Gas Changes the Face of East Central Indiana

              Before the discovery of the Trenton Gas Belt in the late 19th century, East Central Indiana was almost exclusively an agricultural area. The Gas Boom became a defining moment in the development of the region. Natural gas had an enormous impact on the history, culture and life of the region and produced a period of economic growth, marked by a dramatic surge in the number of energy-dependent industries that took advantage of the 


              relatively cheap source of fuel to build new factories in the area. Principal among these industries was the manufacturing of glass.

              In 1876, George Carter, while looking for coal deposits, bored a two-inch diameter test core close to the railroad track in Eaton, Indiana. At a depth of more than 600 feet, an "ill-smelling gas" was found. The pipe was capped and the discovery forgotten. More than ten years later, in 1887, Carter traveled to Findlay, Ohio to view the Karg gas well, part of the recently discovered Trenton Gas Belt. He recognized the odor, and decided to revisit the site of his "coal mine." Eaton Mining & Gas Company was established, and Almeron H. Crannell was hired to drill the well. Gas was discovered in East Central Indiana.
               
              This discovery changed the face of the region. Cities such as Muncie, Anderson, Marion and Kokomo tried to induce companies to move their factories from the east or to build new factories. Free land, free gas, low taxes and cash were all on the bargaining table. These inducements brought more than 160 factories to the Trenton Gas Belt region. In turn, the factories employed thousands of workers. Job opportunities attracted people to the region. Newly hired workers needed a place to live. Land and homes were purchased from local land developers, making them rich.
               
              Any manufacturing operation requires energy. Certain businesses, especially the glass industry, were heavily dependent upon energy. The soft drink industry had recently exploded onto the scene and the housing industry created increasing demand for window glass. Most importantly, fruit jars were vital to the existence of families in the farmlands of the Midwest.
               
              The prospect of a cheap fuel that was expected to last indefinitely appealed to the Ball brothers of Buffalo, New York. In 1887, while visiting Bowling Green, Ohio, Frank Ball received a telegram from businessman James Boyce inviting him to discuss the possibility of moving his company's operations to Muncie. According to Ball, "There was nothing about the town that particularly appealed to me, but the men were all courteous, kind, and businesslike." The company accepted the city's offer of $7,500 cash, three acres of land, railroad facilities and free natural gas for five years in September 1887.
               
              Many towns used flares of gas, burning day and night as an advertisement for their abundance of natural gas. These flambeaus lined the main streets and acted as streetlights. Prospective factory owners were given the impression that there was an unlimited supply of gas. There wasn't. Around the turn of the 20th century, gas pressure began to fail. More wells were dug, but the supply of gas continued to dwindle. Eventually, many companies moved west, sold out, went bankrupt or converted to other sources of energy. The companies that survived often found niche markets. Hemingray Glass made insulators for the burgeoning telephone industry. Ball Brothers acquired their competitors until they had a virtual monopoly on the home canning jar industry. Owens Glass controlled the soft drink bottle market.
               
              The discovery of natural gas started the manufacturing boom in East Central Indiana. Even after the gas bust, many skilled factory workers remained and other industries, particularly the auto industry, located here. Now as the auto industry is leaving, workers must again adapt to changes.
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              A History of CraftsmanshipDid you know the Ball Brothers moved from Buffalo, New York to Muncie, Indiana in 1887? Minnetrista is part of their family legacy. Read More >
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