In the 1800s, Western Virginia was a major center for glassmaking because it had lots of glass sand, cheap fuel, and good railroads. Towns worked to attract factories, and skilled workers from nearby states helped the industry grow.

By the mid-1800s, glassmaking was divided into areas like tableware, bottles, and window glass, each with its own tools, factories, and worker unions. For example, tableware makers joined the American Flint Glass Workers Union, while bottle and window glass workers joined other groups.