Whistles and Candy

Plain City, Ohio
Pastime Park

Today we visited the only metal whistle company in the United States--The American Whistle Company. I was happy that we could get a tour today.  There was a bus of 19 senior citizens from Oklahoma.  They sang the Oklahoma song as they got off the bus.  They were a hoot!

The factory wasn't very large when you consider that they cut out the brass, make the whistles and package them. I think there were about 5 employees.

I was surprised that a lot of the manufacturing steps were done by hand. There was only one computer operated machine which did the silver soldering.  

It takes 3 days to make a whistle which consists of 5 parts. They make nearly one million whistles a year.  We were told by our excellent tour guide that in 1888 the first whistle was made.  England started using them for their police, who originally used a rattle.

I did not know that in Ohio you must have a whistle on board any water craft.  I remember the whistles on the life vests during the mandatory coast guard drill on an ocean cruise ship.  

They custom make whistles for all kinds of events.  This is a gold plated whistle for the officials of all of the super bowl games.

Here's a photo of a photo of all the officials involved in a Super Bowl Game.  Each one has the official's name and title on it.  




We were told one couple gave whistles with the date and names as a wedding souvenir.  They also make the lanyards that are packaged with the whistles.  

The lady who was putting on the rings, went over and used the packaging machine and also manned the counter where you could buy a cover for your whistle, thus the pink on the picture.  

We were told that the show, How It's Made, filmed a show here.  They don't announce the name of the company but there were stickers on all the machines and counters.  Employees wore shirts and hats with the company name on them.  

Those fun loving seniors from Oklahoma were told that everyone received a whistle.  The bus driver said he'd hold all the whistles for them.  Bill couldn't resist, as soon as he left the plant he blew his whistle.    


The second stop for today was the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory.  We were pleased that we were the only ones on a tour and we could really ask our guide a lot of questions.  



You were not allowed pictures inside the huge plant.  There was a glass enclosed cat walk around the plant where you could watch.  They make a lot of fundraisers candy bars.  Of course the number one thing they make is Buckeyes.

We did buy some Buckeye candy in the shop but not this $3,500 235 pound one.  

I liked the slogan that was on the bag, "We Eat All We Can and Only Sell What's Left."




Admission to the American Whistle factory was $4.00 and you received a free whistle (A dollar more for a cover.) Anthony-Thomas tour was two dollars and you received a coupon for $2.00 off your purchase in the candy shop.  

Ray and Misty are coming out tonight after work to have dinner at the Der Dutchman.  Hard to believe we've been here a week.  

Turtle Safely......