| Back to e-WV
The West Virginia Encyclopedia
| Back to e-WV
The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Marble King, located in Paden City, manufactures more than a million marbles each day. The company operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. Berry Pink and Sellers Peltier founded the company in 1949. Marble King was originally located in St. Marys. In January 1958, a fire destroyed the factory. Roger Howdyshell, who managed the Marble King facility, moved the company to Paden City. Howdyshell led Marble King to the forefront when he manufactured the first American-made ‘‘cat’s eye’’ marbles, the playground favorites featuring a swirl of colored glass in a clear marble.
In 1983, Howdyshell bought Marble King. He continued to operate the facility until his death in 1991, and the company is still owned by the Howdyshell family. Marble King marbles are found in games, decorative vases, industrial applications, and in spray paint cans. The company’s marbles have been featured in movies such as Goonies, Hook, and Home Alone. Marble King continues to be the leader in marble production, shipping its marbles worldwide. Each year, Marble King sponsors the National Marbles Tournament.
Written by Beri Fox