Wadsworth Warehouse, formally the Ohio Match Co., was established in 1895 and was the second oldest operating match manufacturer in the United States.
Originally, as with all of the early match manufacturers, Ohio made only wooden matches. Later, with the advent of book matches, Ohio began its journey to become one of the true giants of the industry. Located in Wadsworth, OH, its plant was the largest in the world, producing more than 300 million wooden and paper matches each day. The facility covered 18 acres.
Also, in 1938, it was the first in the industry to regularly produce reverse-strikers. Also notable for its distinctive 1930s’ coined slogan, "for Safety." Infamous to the growth of Wadsworth, the city began the Blue Tip Festival using the name and giant match to affirm the community's past and celebrate the modern American city.
The Blue Tip Festival is a five-day celebration of the Wadsworth community. It starts with a parade and the lighting of a 20-foot-high, blue-tip match, which lights downtown Wadsworth during the festival's duration. The festival offers amusement rides, festival foods, midway games, contests, a local merchant's tent, and other entertainment. Additional events, such as the Wadsworth Running Club's "Matchstick 4 Mile" Foot Race and the "Blue Tip Idol" singing contest, challenge area athletes and performers. Special events have included passenger train rides on the Blue Tip Express, community challenges between local organizations, paint ball shooting ranges, pony rides, bingo tents, and assorted musical performances. The year 2012 marked the 40th annual Blue Tip Festival.
The Blue Tip Festival is named after the historic strike-anywhere blue tip matches which were once manufactured in Wadsworth. Today, the Festival is run by a non-profit organization and is staffed entirely by volunteers. The giant match stick, property of The Ohio Match Co., was donated back to the city by the current owners. Revenues from the festival are donated to Wadsworth area non-profit groups.
Currently owned by Ohmat Enterprises, Inc, The Ohio Match Co. team refocused their interests on medium size businesses in need of commercial space and warehouse services. Lighting the way for future local business growth, the current owners of The Ohio Match Building, still serve a significant role in the local economy with an impressive list of companies on its premises.
