An article originally printed in the Steubenville Herald Star called Follansbee a prosperous and progressive town across the river. It is one of the “Brightest in the Galaxy of Suburban towns that is a “feeder” to Steubenville’s business marts. The article describes Follansbee as having 64 businesses of which 14 are brick buildings and 50 are wooden frame structures. The city had paved streets, concrete sidewalks, natural gas, its own water plant, electric lights, streetcars, a steam railroad, fire department, play grounds, and four big industrial plants. The Follansbee Brothers Plant employed 1,150 men. The Jefferson Glass Company had 350. The Smith Kinghley Metal Ceiling & Manufacturing Company and the Sheet Metal Specialty Company had 50 employees each. North of town was a sand pit that employed 12 men. The city population was estimated to be about 3,500. The Follansbee Review reported that 35 nationalities made up the residents for the city. A number of Japanese were working in the Jefferson Glass Company. A list of the businesses were reported as follows:
- Churches —————- 7
- General Stores ———- 1
- Shoe Stores ————– 2
- Meat Shops ————– 2
- Confections ————– 7
- Pool Rooms ————– 5
- Dry Goods —————- 1
- Hard Ware ————— 2
- News Stands ————– 1
- Taylor Shops ————– 1
- Movie Theaters ———– 2
- Bakery ——————— 1
- Millinery ——————-1
- Lumber ——————– 1
- Plumbing —————— 1
- Wagon Shop ————– 1
- Greenhouse ————— 1
- Barber Shops ————- 7
- Groceries —————— 12
- Restaurants—————- 5
- Drug Stores —————- 2
- Banks ———————– 2
- Gents Furnishings ——— 3
- Blacksmiths —————- 1
Patsy’s Confectionery was located at 558 Main near the corner of State & Main Streets. Pasquale (Patsy) is up front and his wife Marie in rear. Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Boniey.
- Follansbee Review, “The Brightest in the Galaxy,” March 30, 1916 Follansbee Review, “Thirty Nations Represented …,” July 28, 1916.