Mr. and Mrs. Oralie Thomasson founded the Thomasson Potato Chip Company in May of 1931. Oralie Thomasson lost his job when the Green Line streetcar line closed their operation. He was a motorman and was on board when the historic last trip was made from Elyria to Cleveland.

Faced with unemployment and a family to support, Oralie had to find another source of income. A friend told Oralie about a new food product that was gaining popularity. That product was potato chips. The Thomasson Potato Chip Company would soon begin.

Home Based Beginnings

Oralie did not have the necessary money to open a business, so as most Americans did at the time, he decided to work out of his house. He would be able to be with his family and at the same time provide an income for them. His home was located at 1202 West Avenue in Elyria, Ohio. Oralie started making potato chips in the kitchen and basement of his home. He washed, peeled, sliced, and fried the potatoes by hand. Oralie obtained potatoes from local Lorain County farmers who were interested in this venture that used their potatoes in a new and different way.

Cooking Process

The cooking process took place during the night with the potato chips being put into packages in the morning. In the afternoon, Oralie would sell his potato chips in the residential areas close to his home. Selling to his neighbors created a strong desire to give good service to his customers and to provide a quality potato chip.

As business increased, Mr. Thomasson moved the production of Thomasson's Potato Chips from the kitchen and basement to his garage. In 1939, a fire forced Oralie to move to a location behind a restaurant while the garage was being rebuilt. By the time the garage was completed, the business required both locations. Potato chips were produced behind the restaurant and transported to the garage for packaging.

From Father to Son

Over the next few years many changes occurred in this small family business. Oralie's son, William, joined the company. One year later 0ralie retired. The company moved into a new manufacturing facility in 1948. By 1951, third generation family member, Bill Thomasson, Jr. joined the company on a full time basis. Bill soon joined the Air Force but returned to Thomasson's Potato Chip Company three years later.

For the next several years William managed production while Bill took care of sales for the company. By the late 1960's, William retired, and Bill took over the company. The addition of automated equipment in 1969 allowed Thomasson's to increase its production and move away from the labor intensive operation that it had been.

Further growth allowed the company to buy a building on Kipling Street in 1980 and the company was moved into that facility. In 1990, a new building was constructed on Cook Court, in Elyria, with additional manufacturing included.

Four Generations

Through out the history of Thomasson's Potato Chip Company, there were four generations of Thomasson family members that worked in the business. With Bill Thomasson, Jr. reaching retirement age, he sold his company to the Jones Potato Chip Company, also a family owned business, in January of 1996. Thomasson's Potato Chips are still a local favorite in Lorain County with the brand also available throughout northern Ohio. The Jones Potato Chip Company also sells Thomasson Potato Chips through it's own sales and distribution system and Thomasson's products are found over a wider area.

The traditions of family business live on at Thomasson's Potato Chip Company. The Jones family is dedicated to producing the finest quality potato chips and upholding the work ethic that made Oralie Thomasson's potato chip business a success in 1931.