Guide to Youngstown, Ohio
John Young established Youngstown in 1797. He purchased the township from the Connecticut Land Company for more than $16,000 for 15,000 acres of land. Soon after, families began to reside in the village near the Mahoning River. In 1802, Youngstown was incorporated. It continued to flourish, and the number of residents grew.
Daniel and James Heaton founded the Hopewell Furnace in 1802. The iron industry developed in town when they discovered iron ore and coal deposits near Youngstown. Along with the construction of the railroads and Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, Youngstown continued to flourish. Youngstown's population increased to 5,300 by 1860. After a decade, there were more than 8,000 residents in the town. Youngstown became the county seat of Mahoning in 1876 after it became an integral part of many railway lines, including the New York Central and the Baltimore and Ohio. By 1890, the population rocketed to more than 33,000.
Steel mills were established in Youngstown in the latter part of the 1800s. This began a new industry in the city. Many immigrants were attracted to relocate to the town, including Hungarians and Italians. However, in the twentieth century, workers in the steel industry asked for better benefits and salaries, which is why there were several strikes during this time.
Daniel and James Heaton founded the Hopewell Furnace in 1802. The iron industry developed in town when they discovered iron ore and coal deposits near Youngstown. Along with the construction of the railroads and Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, Youngstown continued to flourish. Youngstown's population increased to 5,300 by 1860. After a decade, there were more than 8,000 residents in the town. Youngstown became the county seat of Mahoning in 1876 after it became an integral part of many railway lines, including the New York Central and the Baltimore and Ohio. By 1890, the population rocketed to more than 33,000.
Steel mills were established in Youngstown in the latter part of the 1800s. This began a new industry in the city. Many immigrants were attracted to relocate to the town, including Hungarians and Italians. However, in the twentieth century, workers in the steel industry asked for better benefits and salaries, which is why there were several strikes during this time.
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History of Youngstown, OH
The steel industry helped produced weapons in World War I. This opened new jobs for the people of Youngstown. The population of the city increased significantly, which resulted in problems with housing. After WWI, many workers in the steel industry lost their jobs. Again, workers demanded improvement in the companies they work for. They also demanded overtime pay for the extra hours they work. Youngstown was second in rank when it comes to the production of steel in the entire country in the 1920s. It was also during this time that the industry faced some challenges. Youngstown suddenly didn't have access to water transportation because of the closing of the canal. It also led to the shortage of water supply they need in the mills. Despite these things, the city thrived. By 1920, Youngstown had more than 130,000 residents. A decade later, it reached its highest population with more than 170,000 people. |
Youngstown had a difficult time during the Great Depression. Since many of the residents in the city worked in the steel industry, many of them lost their jobs in the 1930s. While many workers during that time tried to come up with unions, they were strongly opposed by many steel companies in the city. On Mach 26, 1937, the Little Steel Companies, a group of worker unions, went on a strike. The strike was unsuccessful, but it opened the door for the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Once again, the steel mills helped produce materials for war during WW II. The city flourished once again, and the automobile industry began to grow as well. The growth in the economy halted in the latter part of the twentieth century as the steel industry decreased in the entire country.
At present, Youngstown continues to grow as other industries emerge, and old enterprises revitalize in the city.
Learn more
Once again, the steel mills helped produce materials for war during WW II. The city flourished once again, and the automobile industry began to grow as well. The growth in the economy halted in the latter part of the twentieth century as the steel industry decreased in the entire country.
At present, Youngstown continues to grow as other industries emerge, and old enterprises revitalize in the city.
Learn more