Iowa City Flint Glass Co.

Iowa City Flint Glass Company of Iowa City, Iowa was incorporated April 30th, 1880 under the supervision of J.H. Leighton, formerly from the Keota Eagle Glass Works. Glass production under Leighton commenced in the spring of 1881. The factory site was constructed north and east of the intersection of Maiden Lane and Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. The glass works grew in operation with 150 men employed producing at least a rail car load a day of affordable glass in multiple patterns. Many of the same problems that previously plagued the Eagle Glass Works in Keota, plus the increased freight costs and competition from larger eastern companies, continued to disrupt the Iowa City Glass Work’s production and profit. Operations continued for approximately fifteen months until the summer of 1882 at which time the company was forced to close.