Marbles — Marble King, Inc.

Meet Marbles, made by Marble King, Inc. in Paden City, WV. This product is a nominee for the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in West Virginia.

About Marbles

Marbles a Cool & Unique Product of West Virginia

Marbles are a truly unique product of West Virginia because of the state’s long history of marble manufacturing and its connection to Marble King, the only remaining marble manufacturer in the United States. At one time, West Virginia was home to fifteen of the twenty-one marble factories in the country, making the state an important center of marble production.

Marble King was founded in 1949 in St. Marys, West Virginia. After the original factory was destroyed by a fire in January 1958, the company had opportunities to move outside the state. Instead, the owners chose to remain in West Virginia and relocated the factory to Paden City, where it continues to operate today. This decision helped preserve marble manufacturing as an important part of West Virginia’s history and identity.

One of Marble King’s most important contributions was producing the first American-made “cat’s eye” marbles. These colorful marbles, with a swirl of glass inside a clear marble, became popular playground favorites. Today, Marble King produces millions of marbles each year and ships them around the world.

Marbles made in West Virginia are also used for many purposes beyond children’s games. They can be found in decorative items, industrial products, architectural projects, and even spray paint cans. Marble King marbles have also appeared in movies such as The Goonies, Hook, and Home Alone, giving this West Virginia product recognition far beyond the state.

Marbles are especially connected to West Virginia through the National Marbles Tournament, which Marble King sponsors each year. Eighteen national champions have represented West Virginia in the tournament, showing how deeply marbles are connected to the state’s culture and traditions.

The story of Marble King shows why marbles are more than just a toy—they are a unique product that represents West Virginia’s history, craftsmanship, and determination to keep a traditional industry alive. With the only remaining marble factory in the United States located in Paden City, West Virginia can proudly claim marbles as one of its truly distinctive products.