There are many stories written about the history of Ironton, Ohio. The Lawrence Register has compiled this index to organize the information we have gathered within our many years of research.
As early discoveries in the geological makeup in Lawrence County, Ohio, were made, we will travel through the eyes of geologist Caleb Briggs and his essential discovery of rich iron ores.
Those findings opened up a new town called “Ironton, Ohio,” which exploded creating new factories, lumber mills, businesses, and many wealthy men and women. It was said that at one time 90% of supplies for building a home were found in the city of Ironton, Ohio.
We encourage you to take your time and read each of these intriguing narratives, allowing them to assist you in understanding the early history of Ironton, Ohio. From there, you can interpret additional material about Ironton’s fascinating pioneers, booming businesses, wealthy industries, and enjoyable facts spanning the early trails to Ironton’s past.
Pioneers
- Caleb Briggs
- Charles Campbell
- Hiram Campbell
- John Campbell
- John Culbertson
- Andrew Dempsey
- Samuel W. Dempsey
- John Dillon
- Cyrus Ellison
- Robert Hamilton
- W. D. Kelly
- W.E.R. Kemp
- Fred G. Leete
- Ralph Leete
- Dr. Andrew Clark Lowrey
- Col. H. A. Marting
- William Naylor McGugin
- Thomas W. Means
- David Nixon
- Frederick D. Norton
- John Peters
- Robert Scott
- George M. Steece
- George Willard
- Nellie Kelly Wright – The World’s Only Woman Ironmaster
Written Narratives
1848 – Founding of Ironton
1848 – Before Ironton’s Beginning
1849 – Ironton’s First 100 Years
1849 – John Connelly Reminiscences
1849 – Remembering John Campbell
1865 – Ironton advances as a city
1868 – John Robinson’s Circus 50 Years Ago
1868 – Editorial Convention Ironton, Ohio
1870’s – Julia Marlowe lived here
1875 – Diamonds Found in Ironton Tunnel
1888 – Ironton Fire Destroys Two Business Blocks
1895 – Recollections of Ironton
1895 – Days Gone By in Ironton
1938 – Aleck Tolliver Ex-Slave and groomsman for Nannie Kelly Wright
1949 – Miss Mary Fulwiler Writes about Ironton History
Video Narratives
The following videos are courtesy of Lori Shafer and Briggs Library:
- Briggs, Caleb – Founder of Briggs Library
- Burr Home – Original Briggs Library Location in Ironton, Ohio
- Campbell, John – Founder of Ironton
- Gray, George House – Home of Historical Society
- Ladies of Woodland – Woodland Cemetery
Government
1852 – Briggs Library
1853 – Fire Department History with Photos
1875 – Ironton Courthouse and Jail
Businesses
- A. J. Brumberg Clothing Company
- Ebert Brewery
- Cloran Grocery
- First National Bank of Ironton
- Goldcamp’s
- Ironton’s Business Blocks
- Ironton House Hotel
- Ironton Register
- Marting Hotel
- McCauley Furniture Company
- Phillips Carriage Works
- Sheridan House Hotel
- Yellow Poplar Lumber Company
Industries
- 1851 – Ironton Rolling Mill
- 1887 – Lawrence Rolling Mill Explosion
- 1848 – Foster Stove Company
- 1891 – Ironton Portland Cement Company
Homes
- 1850 – John Campbell’s Home
- 1858 – W. D. Kelly’s Farm
Sports
- 1867 – Ironton’s First Baseball Team Formed in 1867
- 1914 – Lombard Football
- 1919 – 1930 Remembering the Ironton Tanks – website by Jim Ridgeway
Misc.
1850s – Tidbits of Ironton’s History
1857 – Ironton Bank and The Mob
1867 – Ironton Gas Works
1867-1880 Ironton High School Alumni
1868 – Ironton Memorial Day Parade
1872 – Ironton’s Early Churches
1875 – Former Irontonians Where Are They Now?
1882 – Albert G. Jenkins Story
1882 – Dr. Benjamin Merrill Ricketts
1888 – Ironton in the year 1888
1898 – Gold Rush of ’98 and Seven Ironton, Ohio Men
1900 – Sarah Cotter King – famous sculpture from Ironton
1904 – Ancient History of Ironton, Ohio
1932 – First Church of Nazarene, Ironton, Ohio
1932 – Ironton Country Club
1966 –History of Ironton, Ohio’s Parades written by Charles Collett
No date – Naming of Ironton, Ohio’s Streets