Glass History 

    Around 1843 an Eastern company conducted a search was begun in this area of Missouri, looking for land with valuable minerals. In 1868, a mineralogist and geologist, Forrest Shepherd, located silica (sand rock) on the east side and near the mouth of Plattin Creek. Samples sent to England determined the sand was of superior quality for glass manufacturing. What followed was an enthusiastic pursuit of development, and The American Plate Glass Company was founded here by Captain Ebenezer B. Ward of Detroit, in 1871.

    Before glass was actually produced, brush was cleared and homes were built for the workers and their families moving to this new town, originally called New Detroit. As the town grew, the residents sought their own identity, and the name of the town was changed to Crystal City. American Plate Glass Company was sold in 1877 to the Crystal Plate Glass Company of St. Louis, and in 1895 the factory, town and all its holdings were acquired by Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, which later became PPG Industries.

    By 1899 the area's population was estimated at 1200. Crystal City remained a company town until 1906, when PPG began selling lots to private citizens, thus promoting Crystal City's growth. The history of Festus can be found in the early roots of Crystal City. Crystal Plate Glass Company exercised complete control over its land and buildings. No saloons or dramshops, non-employee homes or other enterprises were allowed to exist on its property. As a result of this action, a community developed outside Crystal City's border. This area called Limitsville, was later renamed Tanglefoot, a name derived from the behavior of those frequenting the saloons.

    As Tanglefoot grew, residents felt a more dignified name was needed for this prospering community. Tanglefoot's new name was chosen by a woman named Elizabeth Posch. Legends claim that she opened the Bible and the first proper name she came upon was "Festus" from Acts 25:1, and so this name was adopted. On February 8, 1887, a petition signed by 122 citizens was presented to the county court and the city of Festus was incorporated as a fourth class city. The fledgling community was inhabited by only a few hundred residents at that time who still depended upon Crystal Plate Glass Works, either directly or indirectly, for their livelihood.

Historical Text Resource:
Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce
Crystal City / Festus, MO