Morgantown / West Virginia / United States
Star City was founded in 1907 and named by Louis Kaufield, general manager of the Star Glass Company. Kaufields factory was the first lamp chimney producer in West Virginia and made 72 different kinds of lamp chimneys.In 1911 Seneca Glass Company, also referred to as Company B, opened and produced hand blown lime tumblers until 1931. Star City began to see an expansion in the early 1900s and was a community that had many ethnicities represented. Polish and Slovak people migrated to Star City because they were skilled glass workers. Walter Kazinski had a glass factory along the riverfront which became known as the "Polish Factory" because Kazinski hired many Polish employees. This factory specialized in hand blown tableware. Glass production was the primary industry ; records indicate there have been as many as 13 glass factories operating at the same time.During the 1920s, coal mining became the secondary industry for Star City. Scotts Run Coal Mine provided employment for many residents in the community. A ferry was used to cross the Monongahela River to get to and from work at the mines until 1951 when the first Star City Bridge was constructed. Star City was home to the largest hotel in the area when the Holiday Inn opened in 1965, and by 1973 I-79 had reached Star City. Today the history of Star City is still preserved. Davis & Lynch Glass is currently the only active factory in Star CityDavis & Lynch specialize in hand-decorated and hand-painted lamps and parts. Today Star City is working to deepen its history while enhancing the future. A revitalization of the Riverfront with an emphasis in the rich history of Star City is the perfect combination.
