A history of the Ohio Match or Ohmat complex told through original pictures and postcards

Circa 1895 the original Ohio Match Company Wadsworth, Ohio. Ironically this facility burnt to the ground and had to be rebuilt in 1899.

Very early original post card of the rebuilt Ohio match Buildings post marked 1907

A post card view of the same set of buildings on the front (street side) post marked 1911

First color postcard we have showing the backside of the buildings. Post mark on card is 1911 which is close to the time of this monster 250,000 square foot building being built.

A postcard view of the same 250,000 square foot building. Card is postmarked 1915. 

This postcard is post marked 1946. The last building on the left was completed in 1922 so this card was produced sometime between 1922 and 1946. The locomotive on the train suggests its closer to 1922 than 1946.

Original picture view of the interior of the Ohio Match factory sometime between World Wars.

Original picture view of the interior of the Ohio Match factory sometime between World Wars.

Original picture view of the interior of the Ohio Match factory sometime between World Wars.

Original picture view of the interior of the Ohio Match factory sometime between World Wars.

How matches were made in the 1950s. This is a really nice 16mm color video posted to YouTube by Dwight Bowman. At this time it is the only known color video to survive

This postcard is postmarked 1952 and appears to be a reprint and recolor of the earlier card that is post marked 1946.

View from Main Street of the Ohio Match buildings as they appeared in 1980. The 3 buildings on the right were demolished in 1990 along with 2 others to create a more versatile use for the remaining buildings in the complex.

Ariel view of our complex as it looks today. Many of the buildings seen in the postcards are still recognizable because the exteriors have not changed too much in the 100 years since they were built.