In the 1920s, West Virginia was the third-largest pottery producer in the U.S., led by the Homer Laughlin China Company in Newell (Hancock County). Founded in 1873 by Homer and Shakespeare Laughlin in East Liverpool, Ohio, the company later moved to Newell, where it became a major manufacturer of white ware and other dinnerware.

The company grew quickly, adding new factories and making products like hotel dishes and toilet ware. In 1936, it launched its famous colorful Fiestaware, which became very popular and is still collected today. Fiesta was discontinued in 1973 but brought back in 1986.

In 2020, the company sold its food-service division but kept its retail business, now called The Fiesta Tableware Company, which still makes dinnerware in Newell. Many restaurants in the U.S. still use dishes made by Homer Laughlin.