Gypsum, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gypsum, Ohio
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Location of Gypsum, Ohio
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Ottawa |
| Township | Portage |
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
43433
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| GNIS feature ID | 1048810 |
Gypsum is a small community in Ohio, United States. It is located in Ottawa County, within Portage Township. Gypsum is called an "unincorporated community" because it does not have its own local government like a city or village.
The name "Gypsum" comes from the natural deposits of gypsum rock found nearby. Gypsum is a soft mineral often used to make building materials. The community has its own post office with the ZIP code 43433. Most children from Gypsum attend schools in the Port Clinton City School District.
The USG Company in Gypsum
The United States Gypsum Corporation (USG) has a long history in Gypsum. The company started mining gypsum here in 1902. Later, in 1918, they built a factory to make paper for wallboard.
From Mining to Manufacturing
For many years, USG mined gypsum directly from the ground in Gypsum. However, in the 1970s, the company stopped mining. They began using "synthetic gypsum" instead. This is a man-made version of gypsum. After mining stopped, the old mine shafts filled with water.
Even though the mine is closed, USG still runs a large factory in Gypsum. This factory makes drywall (also called Sheetrock) and joint compound. Drywall is a common building material used for walls and ceilings. Trucks bring the synthetic gypsum to the plant. In 1999, the factory expanded to add a new production line.
Dealing with Mine Collapses
After more than 40 years, the abandoned gypsum mine started to cause problems. Water underground slowly dissolved some of the gypsum rock. This led to the ground above sinking, creating depressions and sinkholes.
To fix this, the Ohio Department of Transportation worked to fill the mine with a special liquid called grout. This project happened between 2013 and 2015. It helped stabilize the ground and prevent more collapses. During this time, traffic on Ohio State Route 2 had to be rerouted.
As of 2019, USG is part of a larger company called Knauf. USG's main office is in Chicago, Illinois.
