Narrative History of Lima
Lima, Ohio was founded in 1831, following the establishment of Allen County in 1820. The first citizens named their city to honor Lima, Peru. Allen County used a lot of quinine to treat malaria that Lima, Peru manufactured, leading someone to suggest Lima as the name for the new town. Early Lima was little more than a small collection of log huts in a swampy area. Within its 160 acres, settlers were able to buy plots of land for an average of $25 each. Because of the swamp, malaria was a huge issue for early settlers to deal with, as was an abundance of snakes. Before the white settlers moved into the area, Native Americans lived on the land. The Shawnee tribe inhabited the land but was forced off and onto a reservation with a treaty signed in 1817.
State roads and the Erie Canal brought connections and industry to Lima. In turn, the multiple industries in the city were what shaped Lima in the early days and led to what it is now. Benjamin C. Faurot discovered oil in 1885 with the help of drillers. This oil was and is today part of the “Lima Oil Field”, which spans most of northwest Ohio and a large portion of Indiana. The oil, however, was heavy with sulfur and required refining. As a consequence, a refinery was soon built in Lima by John D. Rockefeller’s Buckeye Pipe Line Company and Standard Oil. The ownership of the refinery changed hands multiple times after that, and it is now owned by Cenovus Energy. Oil brought wealth and prosperity to Lima, leading to the other industries that sustained Allen County for many years as well.
Railroading is another industry that impacted Lima in its early days. Lima Agricultural Works transferred to Lima Machine Works in 1869, producing sawmill equipment at the start. In 1882, the company began to make lightweight locomotives, which would end up being the company’s lasting legacy in Lima. Most of the locomotives produced by Lima Machine Works were Shay Patent locomotives. One stands in the Allen County Museum today. At one point, Lima Machine Works employed over 4,000 people. It, too, built the Lima known today.
Beyond oil and railroading, other industries flocked to Lima, increasing its population and furthering its progress. Superior Coach is one example of that. It came to Lima in 1923. The company manufactured school buses yet managed to help the World War II effort by building military vehicles for the United States. In 1981, Superior Coach switched from producing school buses to funeral coaches. The tank plant is another highlight of Lima’s industry. As World War II was ramping up all over the world, the Ohio Steel Foundry set out to create a tank plant in Lima. In 1942, United Motor Service took over management of the Lima Tank Depot. Today, General Dynamics owns the plant, and it still serves the United States military by building tanks. Another industry that once served Lima was Westinghouse. The Small Motor Division of Westinghouse opened in Lima in 1936, and 1,500 employees made small motors for household items such as washing and sewing machines and fans. During World War II, the Lima plant helped produce machinery for military aircrafts. Unfortunately, Westinghouse sold its division to another corporation in 1992 and the new company closed the Lima plant in 1995. In addition, Proctor and Gamble is another company that came to Lima in the twentieth century, 1968 to be precise. It still employs many people in the Lima area, today boasting a staff of over 600 employees. It takes up 550 acres of land, and it is the highest producing P&G plant in the United States. Lastly, Ford opened their Lima Ford Engine Plant in 1957. It still produces Ford vehicles today.
Beyond oil and railroading, other industries flocked to Lima, increasing its population and furthering its progress. Superior Coach is one example of that. It came to Lima in 1923. The company manufactured school buses yet managed to help the World War II effort by building military vehicles for the United States. In 1981, Superior Coach switched from producing school buses to funeral coaches. The tank plant is another highlight of Lima’s industry. As World War II was ramping up all over the world, the Ohio Steel Foundry set out to create a tank plant in Lima. In 1942, United Motor Service took over management of the Lima Tank Depot. Today, General Dynamics owns the plant, and it still serves the United States military by building tanks. Another industry that once served Lima was Westinghouse. The Small Motor Division of Westinghouse opened in Lima in 1936, and 1,500 employees made small motors for household items such as washing and sewing machines and fans. During World War II, the Lima plant helped produce machinery for military aircrafts. Unfortunately, Westinghouse sold its division to another corporation in 1992 and the new company closed the Lima plant in 1995. In addition, Proctor and Gamble is another company that came to Lima in the twentieth century, 1968 to be precise. It still employs many people in the Lima area, today boasting a staff of over 600 employees. It takes up 550 acres of land, and it is the highest producing P&G plant in the United States. Lastly, Ford opened their Lima Ford Engine Plant in 1957. It still produces Ford vehicles today.
Hospitals are another important part of Lima history. Lima City Hospital was the first Lima hospital, though it closed eventually. The Sisters of Mercy founded St. Rita’s Medical Center in 1918, and it is known today as Mercy Health’s St. Rita’s Medical Center. Lastly, Lima Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1933 and continues to serve the Lima community. Today, Mercy Health is the largest employer in Lima and Allen County.
Lima has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Today its population sits at about 35,579. The largest number of citizens are employed in educational services, healthcare, and social assistance, with manufacturing jobs coming in a close second. Lima’s industrial roots are still apparent in the number of people still involved in those jobs, as well as its decline in population since a good deal of those industries left the area. The city of Lima, past and present, is a working-class area with a rich history of hard work and progress.