Crystal City, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Crystal City is a city in Jefferson County
, Missouri
, United States. The population was 4,523 at the estimated 2009 census. It was 4,247 at the 2000 census.
Crystal City and its neighbor Festus
are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities"; however, they are incorporated separately.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is land and 0.27% is water.
looking for land with valuable minerals.
In 1868, mineralogist and geologist Forrest Sheppards located silica deposits near the mouth of Plattin Creek, where it flows into the Mississippi River
. Samples sent to England determined the St. Peter Sandstone
found in the area was of superior quality for glass manufacturing. What followed was an enthusiastic pursuit of development, and The American Plate Glass Company was founded by Captain Ebenezer B. Ward of Detroit, Michigan
in 1871.
In May 1872, with Captain Theodore Luce as superintendent, the American Plate Glass Company attempted the first plate glass at a new site at the mouth of the Plattin Creek. It consisted of one box furnace of unknown description. Plagued by investment and quality problems, death and sickness, the factory failed after a short time.
In 1876 the Crystal Plate Glass Company built four gas-fired furnaces and produced plate glass. The glass was made on large square tables, ground with sand, smoothed with emery and polished with rouge.
Before glass was actually produced, brush was cleared and homes were built for the workers and their families moving to this new town, originally called New Detroit. As the town grew, the residents sought their own identity, and the name of the town was changed to Crystal City. American Plate Glass Company was sold in 1877 to the Crystal Plate Glass Company of St. Louis.
By 1886 a railroad had been built to connect the glass factory with the Iron Mountain Railroad
at Silica, Missouri. Originally a narrow gauge line, it had been widened to standard gauge.
In 1895 the factory, town and all its holdings were acquired by Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, which later became PPG Industries
.
Crystal City's population was estimated at 1,200 in 1899. It remained a company town until 1906, when PPG began selling lots to private citizens, thus promoting the town's growth. However, for many years the company continued to rent houses and provide many municipal services, including the hospital, fire company, public schools, and other institutions.
Around 1903, just before the St. Louis World's Fair opened, the St. Louis, Memphis and Southern Railroad purchased the company-owned railroad's right-of-way through Crystal City and neighboring Festus, Missouri
to establish what became the Frisco Line. It is now the BNSF Railway
.
In 1908 PPG built a new factory powered by steam generated, direct current electricity. Thirty foot round tables laid with glass were moved by bull trucks to the grinders and polishers. With the additional power from the Gas Power House across Plattin Creek, Crystal City Works Nine became the largest plate glass plant in the world. The steam generators were shut down in 1925 and the round table G&P dismantled.
In 1925 Union Electric brought a power line down the east side of the Mississippi River
from Cahokia, Illinois
. It crossed the river to a tower on Buck Knob (a prominent hill just south of the city) to supply the new factory. Between 1925 and 1930 PPG constructed a continuous flow tank and a 1100 feet (335.3 m) ribbon grinder and polisher.
PPG's Works Nine produced high quality glass for mirrors. Prior to 1930 the Beveling Shop and Silvering Room shipped mirrors worldwide. After 1935 the Mirror Room became the re-inspection department where all plates of mirror and "silvering" quality were re-examined.
In 1935 safety glass laws were enacted. The Duplate Department was opened to produce auto glass made of plastic laminated between two plates of one-eighth inch plate glass. Soon after, the Herculite Department was opened to cut and temper quarter-inch glass. By 1964, PPG had established a separate division for auto glass and all production was being done at Greensburg and other plants.
During World War II
PPG set up the Bomber Department and produced canopy subassemblies for the Curtiss-Wright
Company. Work done by the Duplate Department led to the formation of an Aircraft Glass Division within PPG.
In 1965 PPG obtained a license from an English firm to use their prints to build a Float Tank and Tin Bath. The new float glass, produced in a continuous process, replaced the production of plate glass, which had been produced in batches. The last plate glass was made in Crystal City in 1972.
In 1985 first word of Works Nine closing was announced, but it was operated until December 1990. In May 1991 the glass factory at Crystal City was turned over to a salvage company. On 1 June 1991, the doors of the main office were locked. Glass was shipped until December of that year. Many workers from the Crystal City Plant were offered transfers to PPG's plant in Mount Zion, IL.
On Monday, 30 December 1991, Union Electric shut off power to the factory and the last life blood drained from Crystal City Works Nine. The factory, which employed more than 6,000 at its peak in World War II, was razed. Today, nothing of the glass factory remains, other than the company headquarters building and the hospital. Both are now used for other purposes.
Crystal City is now principally a bedroom community for St. Louis commuters and home to PPG retirees.
of 2000, there were 4,247 people, 1,622 households, and 1,111 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,136.7 people per square mile (438.4/km²). There were 1,769 housing units at an average density of 473.5 per square mile (182.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.11% White, 5.34% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.07% from other races
, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,622 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,117, and the median income for a family was $45,288. Males had a median income of $41,111 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,816. About 12.6% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
.
Jefferson County, Missouri
Jefferson County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. The county was included as the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. It is the sixth most-populous county in Missouri. Census 2010 put the population at 218,733 Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States. The population was 4,523 at the estimated 2009 census. It was 4,247 at the 2000 census.
Crystal City and its neighbor Festus
Festus, Missouri
Festus is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,367 at the 2009 estimated census. Festus and its neighbor Crystal City are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities"; however, they are incorporated separately....
are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities"; however, they are incorporated separately.
Geography
Crystal City is located at 38°13′18"N 90°22′57"W (38.221699, -90.382510).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is land and 0.27% is water.
The Glass Factory (PPG)
Around 1843 an Eastern company conducted a search in this area of MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
looking for land with valuable minerals.
In 1868, mineralogist and geologist Forrest Sheppards located silica deposits near the mouth of Plattin Creek, where it flows into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Samples sent to England determined the St. Peter Sandstone
St. Peter Sandstone
The St. Peter Sandstone is an Ordovician formation in the Chazyan stage of the Champlainian series. This sandstone originated as a sheet of sand in clear, shallow water near the shore of a Paleozoic sea and consists of fine-to-medium-size, well-rounded quartz grains with frosted surfaces...
found in the area was of superior quality for glass manufacturing. What followed was an enthusiastic pursuit of development, and The American Plate Glass Company was founded by Captain Ebenezer B. Ward of Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in 1871.
In May 1872, with Captain Theodore Luce as superintendent, the American Plate Glass Company attempted the first plate glass at a new site at the mouth of the Plattin Creek. It consisted of one box furnace of unknown description. Plagued by investment and quality problems, death and sickness, the factory failed after a short time.
In 1876 the Crystal Plate Glass Company built four gas-fired furnaces and produced plate glass. The glass was made on large square tables, ground with sand, smoothed with emery and polished with rouge.
Before glass was actually produced, brush was cleared and homes were built for the workers and their families moving to this new town, originally called New Detroit. As the town grew, the residents sought their own identity, and the name of the town was changed to Crystal City. American Plate Glass Company was sold in 1877 to the Crystal Plate Glass Company of St. Louis.
By 1886 a railroad had been built to connect the glass factory with the Iron Mountain Railroad
Iron Mountain Railroad
Iron Mountain Railroad could refer to:*Iron Mountain Railroad , 1855-1859, predecessor of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway**Iron Mountain Railway , 1855-1857, predecessor of the above...
at Silica, Missouri. Originally a narrow gauge line, it had been widened to standard gauge.
In 1895 the factory, town and all its holdings were acquired by Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, which later became PPG Industries
PPG Industries
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion...
.
Crystal City's population was estimated at 1,200 in 1899. It remained a company town until 1906, when PPG began selling lots to private citizens, thus promoting the town's growth. However, for many years the company continued to rent houses and provide many municipal services, including the hospital, fire company, public schools, and other institutions.
Around 1903, just before the St. Louis World's Fair opened, the St. Louis, Memphis and Southern Railroad purchased the company-owned railroad's right-of-way through Crystal City and neighboring Festus, Missouri
Festus, Missouri
Festus is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,367 at the 2009 estimated census. Festus and its neighbor Crystal City are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities"; however, they are incorporated separately....
to establish what became the Frisco Line. It is now the BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
.
In 1908 PPG built a new factory powered by steam generated, direct current electricity. Thirty foot round tables laid with glass were moved by bull trucks to the grinders and polishers. With the additional power from the Gas Power House across Plattin Creek, Crystal City Works Nine became the largest plate glass plant in the world. The steam generators were shut down in 1925 and the round table G&P dismantled.
In 1925 Union Electric brought a power line down the east side of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
from Cahokia, Illinois
Cahokia, Illinois
Cahokia is a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 16,391. The name is a reference to one of the clans of the historic Illini confederacy, who were encountered by early French explorers to the region.Early European settlers also...
. It crossed the river to a tower on Buck Knob (a prominent hill just south of the city) to supply the new factory. Between 1925 and 1930 PPG constructed a continuous flow tank and a 1100 feet (335.3 m) ribbon grinder and polisher.
PPG's Works Nine produced high quality glass for mirrors. Prior to 1930 the Beveling Shop and Silvering Room shipped mirrors worldwide. After 1935 the Mirror Room became the re-inspection department where all plates of mirror and "silvering" quality were re-examined.
In 1935 safety glass laws were enacted. The Duplate Department was opened to produce auto glass made of plastic laminated between two plates of one-eighth inch plate glass. Soon after, the Herculite Department was opened to cut and temper quarter-inch glass. By 1964, PPG had established a separate division for auto glass and all production was being done at Greensburg and other plants.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
PPG set up the Bomber Department and produced canopy subassemblies for the Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
Company. Work done by the Duplate Department led to the formation of an Aircraft Glass Division within PPG.
In 1965 PPG obtained a license from an English firm to use their prints to build a Float Tank and Tin Bath. The new float glass, produced in a continuous process, replaced the production of plate glass, which had been produced in batches. The last plate glass was made in Crystal City in 1972.
In 1985 first word of Works Nine closing was announced, but it was operated until December 1990. In May 1991 the glass factory at Crystal City was turned over to a salvage company. On 1 June 1991, the doors of the main office were locked. Glass was shipped until December of that year. Many workers from the Crystal City Plant were offered transfers to PPG's plant in Mount Zion, IL.
On Monday, 30 December 1991, Union Electric shut off power to the factory and the last life blood drained from Crystal City Works Nine. The factory, which employed more than 6,000 at its peak in World War II, was razed. Today, nothing of the glass factory remains, other than the company headquarters building and the hospital. Both are now used for other purposes.
Crystal City is now principally a bedroom community for St. Louis commuters and home to PPG retirees.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,247 people, 1,622 households, and 1,111 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,136.7 people per square mile (438.4/km²). There were 1,769 housing units at an average density of 473.5 per square mile (182.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.11% White, 5.34% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,622 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,117, and the median income for a family was $45,288. Males had a median income of $41,111 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,816. About 12.6% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Famous residents
Crystal City is the hometown of former NBA player, United States Senator and presidential candidate Bill BradleyBill Bradley
William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
.
External links
- Crystal City's Website
- Historic maps of Crystal City in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...