NB NK Rotary goes back in time for some fun...

 Mr. Tim Eiting, local auctioneer and real estate professional shared his passion for antique toys with fellow Rotarians.  Eiting shared about his collection of Kenton Toy Company Toys.  In the late 1800’s there was a need for door hinges, nails, screws and various hardware and the Kenton Hardware Company was begun in 1890.  Within three years, competition from big firms on the east coast drove them to explore the idea of producing other items.  They had worked on a project for the 1893 Worlds Fair for the Columbiana Bank, producing three different sized replicas of the bank and the project was an instant success.  

They continued on developing other toys and products but, in 1903 the company burned to the ground as a result of their foundry operation.  In 1904 they rebuilt and became a part of the National Novelty Corporation.  This gave them an advantage by buying raw material in bulk, assuring them of higher profits.  They bought the Dent Company and used all of the patterns and molds from that company, expanding their production of toys.  Once again they found difficulties during WW1 in the 1920’s, having been sold several times.

 During the later 1920’s, toys became more popular and general manager Willard Pixler expanded their toy line to over 700 toys.  They were casting, boxing, painting and distributing their toys by this time, shipping toys all over the country and the world.  The Great Depression slowed the company to two production days per week.  Pixler’s son Howard took over the business.  In an effort to revitalize and boost business, Howard went to the west coast with an idea and with the “singing cowboy” Gene Autry.  “Pixler wanted to produce a cap gun and wanted Autry to endorse it,” said Eiting.  They offered Autry an endorsement deal $.025 for each gun sold, guaranteeing him $300.   In 1938, they began production and by August, over 1,000,000 cap guns were sold and Autry had earned over $16,000.00.  Later that year, Autry came to the factory in Kenton and really helped to put the town on the map.  “Autry is hailed as the economic savior of Kenton , Ohio ,” said Eiting.  

Autry’s participation and endorsements led to several different lines of cap guns and helped Kenton Toy Co grow leaps and bounds.  In 1942, the first plastic grip appeared on the cap guns.  In 1952, The Kenton Toy Co. began to slow down and their final catalogue was produced.  By 1956, the company finally closed.  “The building still stands today,” said Eiting.  “If you come in to Kenton on SR 67, you can see the old building and Ohio historic marker.  The Hardin County Historic Society has probably the largest collection of Kenton Toys in existence.”  Mr. Eiting shared several of his personal collection of Kenton Toys and cast banks with the group.

Hosting Rotarian: Tim Eiting