The Carr China Company started in 1913 in Grafton (Taylor County) as a local project to create jobs. The original company went bankrupt in 1916, but Thomas Carr took over and renamed it after himself. It became highly successful in making dishware for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and even the military.

Carr China made many popular designs and special items like smoking accessories and hospital ware. During World War II, the company stocked up on clay and supplied chinaware to the armed forces. After the war, competition from plastics and foreign companies led to its closing in 1953.