Strong, a Mussul Unsquit village

Charles Forster set up his first toothpick mill in an old starch mill on Valley Brook in 1887. By 1897 demand for Forster products far exceeded the production capabilities at that location so he purchased this J. W. Porter mill and property near the Strong railroad depot.

From this mill site Forster Manufacturing Co. produced toothpicks and wooden flatware that was shipped nationwide and to markets abroad for more than a century.

Forster Mfg. Co. produced round toothpicks under the World's Fair name in Strong from 1910 until they closed operations in 2002.

Forster Mfg. Co. of Strong produced round clothespins under the World's Fair brand name and packed them in boxes of 30 for a nationwide market.

Forster Manufacturing Co. produced medical applicator sticks and packed them in boxes of 72 dozen for shipment to the military in support of the war-effort, ca. 1942. Forster's was located in Strong and made wood products.

The 50th anniversary sample cards showing products made by Forster Mfg. Co. in 1947. Tongue depressors such as these were first produced for the military during WW II and later for a nationwide medical market.

In 1947 Forster Manufacturing Co. produced four sizes of ice cream spoons. In celebrating its 50th anniversary they prepared sample cards with examples of items in production.

In 1947 Forster Manufacturing Co. produced two sizes of ice cream forks. In celebrating its 50th anniversary they prepared sample cards with examples of items in production.

This mustard paddle sample card was one prepared depicting products made for the 50th anniversary of the Forster Manufacturing Co. in Strong.

By the late 1930s increasing demand again required the expansion of Forster Mfg. Co. in Strong. On this site toothpicks, clothespins and wooden flatware were produced for more than 100 years.

In 1947 Forster Manufacturing Co. produced six types of candy and ice cream sticks. In celebrating its 50th anniversary they prepared sample cards with examples of items in production including ice cream spoons and wooden forks.

For its 50th anniversary in 1947 Forster Manufacturing Co. prepared sample cards with examples of items in production, such as these types of cocktail forks.

The cocktail fork, highball stirrer and spearhead stick were made in 1947 and samples were displayed on cards for the 50th Anniversary of Forster Manufacturing Co. in Strong.