CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE AND OPEN THE MAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY

One hundred years ago, one of Ada’s most significant employers was the Ada Clay Co. It produced drain tile from sizes 8 ½ inches to 24 inches. The plant was located along the railroad. Notice the freight cars parked on the siding. This photo a picture postcard mailed Dec. 23, 1915, to a customer in Dola.

The accompanying map shows the layout of the factory, which had it own railroad siding. The tiles were an important industry at the turn of the century as farmers were draining fields from the Black Swamp.

(Photo from the Leland Crouse collection)