The Courier

1950s: Findlay booming again

By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF ernized and equipped with the lat- The Welfare Department took STAFF WRITER est machinery and clay processing over part of the building. The com- The decade of the 1950s may procedures. missioners considered moving the well have been the boom years of A year later, First Presbyte- county jail into the structure, too. the 20th century in Findlay. rian Church at the corner of West The jail that was in use, just south The discovery of gas and oil Sandusky and West streets was of the dairy building, had become some 60 years earlier had trans- destroyed by fire. The structure dilapidated. formed the small county seat into dat ed back to 1901. A new church When the Korean War broke a thriving metropolis. was built at the extreme southern out in June 1950, Findlay and Han- cock County again responded to But progress in the 1950s did edge of the city. In 1955, fire gutted the Fenster- the country’s call. not depend on mineral resources maker Block on South Main A new selective service system and luck. This time, the commu- Street. Damage was estimated at had been established in 1948 as nity made a conscious effort to $750,000. part of the national defense pro- create its own success. That same year, voters gram. Under this program, Han- Toward the end of World War approved a special levy to mod- cock County was directed to II, an organization called the ernize the Fire Department. create a new three-member draft Post-War Planning Committee Personnel and equipment were board to serve the entire county. was de veloped in conjunction added and a two-way communi- The Ohio National Guard, with the chamber of commerce cation system was installed with in cluding the Findlay company, to examine the possibilities for the help of the Han cock County was called into service during the economic re covery. The group Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum Civil Defense program. The Fire war. assembled facts and figures and A MAJOR MILESTONE for Findlay in the 1950s was when a highway bypass was opened in 1958 on the Department also opened two new Meanwhile, Hancock County made recommendations for a city’s west side at a cost of $10 million. It rerouted Old U.S. 25 (Lima Avenue) to help ease congestion stations, one at the corner of Tiffin was one of the first counties in the course of ac tion. on Main Street. and McManness avenues, and the state to install automatic voting The resulting plan enabled other on South Main Street to machines. Find lay to make great strides. office facilities. The old part of the of developmentally disabled chil- direct oper ations, and the name replace the old central station on Direct distance dialing also The city’s population rose to Donnell building on East Hardin dren. Classes were held at Howard Blanchard Valley Hospital was Crawford Street. was introduced to the area. 23,845 during the decade, and Street was torn down and an eight- Methodist Church. adopted. The Hancock County commis- the construction of new homes story addition was constructed. A By the end of the decade, Find- The old north wing of the hospi- sioners bought the former Page Wolf: 419-427-8419 contin ued. few years later, a nine-story build- lay College announced plans for a tal was later remodeled. One floor Dairy Co. on Broadway in 1956. [email protected] New industry that came to ing was erected nearby. $2.9 million, eight-year develop- became the Civilian Defense head- town contributed to the commu- Likewise, Cooper Tire & ment program that would add quarters. Another area housed the nity’s prosperity. Rubber Co. was engaged in a two- eight new buildings to the campus. local Red Cross chapter. Ashland Oil and Refining Co. year, $5 million expansion by the Municipal improvements were Early in the decade, the Judson Mask factory folds after 70 years began operations in 1950 after end of the decade. also being made. Palmer Home was built on North purchasing the facilities of the Midway through the decade, Findlay Council approved a Main Street to provide a place for Many of Findlay’s longtime businesses prospered in the 1950s, but Na tional R efinery. Findlay’s school enrollment sky- zoning ordinance that placed all indigent older women. Money for not all. Radio Corporation of America rocketed to more than 5,700 stu- areas within the city in different the facility was provided in the The American Mask Manufacturing Co. closed its doors after selling opened a few years afterwards. As dents. School buildings were soon catego ries, such as residential, wills of Judson and Katherine masks, false noses, wax ears, wigs and beards for 70 years. part of the RCA Tube Division, the filled to capacity. mercan tile and industrial. Palmer. Palmer had been involved The company was one of the top mask manufacturers in the United company manufactured electronic Voters responded by approv- In 1951, voters approved a $1.2 in the grocery business and a flour States, said Paulette Weiser, former curator/archivist at the Hancock components for televisions. ing a $2 million bond issue. million bond issue to expand the mill operation. He also served as Histori cal M useum. In 1955, the Findlay Kodak Funds were used to build Jacobs city’s sewer system. The capacity president of the Farm ers’ Bank for “They were very well known. The masks were shipped all over the Pro cessing Laboratory was com- Elemen tary School off Crystal of the waterworks plant also was a time. country,” she said. pleted to provide processing facili- Avenue, and to erect additions at doubled, and land was acquired in The Salvation Army citadel The company was started by two German immigrants, Oscar Kir- ties for movie and still film. Whittier, Northview, Washington, Marion Township for the construc- opened on Center Street during sten and Kryst Heyn. Kirsten settled in Cincinnati after coming to the Findlay Industries and the Lincoln and Adams schools. The tion of a reservoir. the period, and the Anchor Teen United States at the age of 18. He found work as a coachman and made Hyway Concrete Pipe Co. were two junior high schools were also A significant milestone was Cen ter was established. The Fort masks in his spare time. also founded. expanded. achieved when a highway bypass Findlay Playhouse marked its first “Friends soon asked him to make masks for them on Halloween,” National Automotive Fibers, The number of students was constructed on the city’s west season in 1954-55. Weiser said. the first industry to locate in Find- attend ing St. Michael School side at a cost of $10 million. Old Meanwhile, the United The two men decided to come to Findlay after they heard the city lay after World War II, moved its was increasing, as well. Three U.S. 25 — Lima Avenue — was Community Fund was formed to was experiencing a gas boom and was offering free fuel to businesses business out of the city in 1958. expansion projects during the re routed to the west to help ease unite the various causes that had willing to locate here. They started in a single room in the Headquar ter’s The plant was sold to the Dobeck- decade provided the school with traffic congestion on Main Street. been con ducting individual fund- building on South Main Street. By 1885, the company filled a three-story mun Division of Dow Chemical. a gymnasi um, a cafeteria and 21 Federal funds, local gifts and raising campaigns in Hancock building in the 500 block of West Main Cross Street. Kirsten’s brother, The Hancock County AFL-CIO classrooms. A junior high school a bond issue were used to build County. The fund initially ben- Otto, also joined the firm. Council was formed, to orga nize system was inaugurated in 1957. a new hospital in the community. efited eight agencies. In addition to linen waxed masks, American Mask had an exclusive and coordinate the efforts of local Two years later, the parish pur- The 175-bed facility opened in Several disastrous fires field in the production of papier-mache masks for several years. The labor unions. chased 12 acres on U.S. 224 east 1958 at the site of the old hos- oc curred during the decade. molds were all handmade, and almost any caricature could be produced. Meanwhile, many of Findlay’s of Findlay for future development. pital south of town. Ownership Hancock Brick & Tile was In later years, hospital masks were added to the inventory. long-established firms continued The Hancock School for was trans ferred from the city to forced to rebuild after a blaze Mask-making techniques began to change in the 1950s. Company to thrive. Re tarded Children was started in the county. The Blanchard Valley damaged the Findlay plant in officials decided they could no longer compete with firms that produced Ohio Oil Co. again enlarged its 1952 by a small group of parents Hospital Association continued to 1951. The new facility was mod- masks by machine, and closed the business. 1960s: A decade of Findlay ‘fi rsts’ By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF named to honor the president of former curator/archivist at the STAFF WRITER the Findlay Publishing Co. and Hancock Historical Museum. The 1960s was a decade of owner of the Republican-Courier “Cigars and patented medi- firsts for the Findlay area. newspaper and radio station cines fell out of favor over the WFIN for his civic leadership. The city’s population topped years,” she explained. “That cer- District voters authorized 30,000 for the first time. tainly affected business.” con struction of the new high The International Breweries- An interstate highway first school in 1960. The bond issue passed through Hancock County. Old Dutch Division also closed, in also financed additions at three 1966. The brewery dated back to The first ultra-modern shop- elementary schools. Meanwhile, ping center was opened here. 1891 when the Brilliant City Brew- the former high school building on ery opened at the corner of Jeffer- And Findlay first earned the West Main Cross Street became son Street and Clinton Court. The ti tle of “Flag Capital.” the city’s third junior high. It was com pany was later purchased by A new artery of transporta- called Central. Peter Krantz and his sons, and tion called Interstate 75 opened Findlay College’s development then the Altmeyer brothers. The between Michigan and Florida. program was well under way, too. firm was particularly well known The limited access roadway fol- Buildings constructed during for its Old Dutch Beer. lowed the general route of old the decade included the Alumni The Findlay YMCA was largely U.S. 25 (Dixie Highway) through Me morial Union, Shafer Library Hancock County. destroyed by fire in the early and Croy Physical Education 1960s. However, a portion of the The interstate between Findlay Center. East Sandusky Street building was and Bluffton was the last rural sec- Findlay College enrollment saved and remodeled to allow the tion of the interstate to be fin ished reached an all-time high in 1962 program to continue. Volunteers in Ohio, in 1964. Two other seg- with 1,000 students. raised more than $900,000 for a ments through Hancock County, The Winebrenner Graduate new building that was erected at a bypass west of the city and a School of Divinity separated East and East Lincoln streets. stretch of highway north to Wood from the college that same year. County, had been completed a few The seminary established a three- THE FINDLAY YMCA was destroyed by fi re in the early 1960s. However, a portion of the East Fire also destroyed the Ohio years earlier. building complex on East Melrose Sandusky Street building was saved and remodeled to allow the program to continue. Volunteers raised Power Co. building at 120 N. Work also began on a new Avenue. more than $900,000 for a new building that was erected at East and East Lincoln streets. Main St., and Ashland Oil’s lubri- cation oil manufacturing build- bridge over the Blanchard River Blanchard Valley School was ing on Glessner Avenue. In 1960, on Broad Avenue. The project becoming more visible in the com- Bartley was one of two U.S. pilots of the American Revolution, was Whirlpool Corp., Dow Chemical, blazes on the same day destroyed included widening and rebuilding munity. Hancock County voters killed in the crash of a B26 fighter- intended to provide a focal center Hercules Tire & Rubber, Kirk Wood ward Lumber Co. on Third the road, and relocating a portion approved a bond issue to construct bomber in South Vietnam in 1963. for a national Flag Day obser- Bros. (which became O.H. Materi- Street and Lumbertown on West of the river. new facilities for the school. Mr. By 1968, 10 markers had been vance. als), and Superior Trim. Whirlpool Sandusky Street. The improvement was and Mrs. Tell Thompson donated erected at the War Memorial in The city’s commercial area was to become one of the biggest designed to provide better access land on East Sandusky Street for Maple Grove Cemetery to honor expanded east on U.S. 224 when employers in the city. In other areas of the city, a new to the new Findlay High School the project. A contract for con- local soldiers killed in the war. the $2.5 million Fort Findlay Vil- Meanwhile, three longtime municipal parking garage opened near U.S. 224 West. The campus struction was awarded in 1965. That same year, the Findlay lage shopping center opened in busi nesses c losed. on East Crawford Street, and work was completed in 1963 with facili- Another war touched Findlay VFW post officially changed its 1962. It was the first center of Findlay’s Deisel-Wemmer-Gil- began on a $2 million waterworks ties for 2,200 students. The school and Hancock County families name to Barry D. Lord Post 5645 its kind in the area and featured bert cigar factory closed in 1962 expansion. featured a new auditorium, R.L. during the decade. The city’s first in honor of Lance Cpl. Barry D. concourses, covered walkways when it was consolidated with The city also had the distinc- Heminger Au ditorium. It was ca sualty was Capt. John Bartley. Lord, 21, who was killed in action and 2,000 parking spaces. Britts sev eral others to form a new tion of being, for three months in in April 1968. His father, Josiah Department Store occupied the factory in Lima. The company 1960, the only community in the Lord, was a past commander of largest area in the mall, followed began op erations locally in 1910. world where touch-tone telephone Sesquicentennial celebrated the post, and his mother, Flor- by J.C. Penney, which had been By 1911, nearly 100 workers were service was available. ence, was past president of the located in down town Findlay for rolling San Felice cigars by hand. The following year, Findlay VFW Auxiliary. Barry Lord was nearly 40 years. A four-story, red brick building Airport became part of the Lake Findlay and Hancock County observed the sesquicentennial with an also active in post affairs and had That same year, Ohio Oil Co. was later erected at 214 Broadway. Central Airlines Commercial eight-day celebration in July 1962. marched with the color guard at marked its 75th anniversary by The Glessner Medicine Co. Service. The city was visited twice The event featured parades, dances and a five-night historical spec- the funeral of William Tweed, who changing its name to Marathon also closed its doors in 1962. a day by one northbound and one tacle titled “Along the Old Mill Stream.” The pageant was held at Don nell had been killed in Vietnam while Oil Co. The company was founded in southbound flight. Stadium and featured a cast of 600. Lord was home on leave. Central Rubber and Steel Corp. 1890 as Dr. Drake’s Medicine Countywide voter registration Karol Kirkpatrick presided over festivities as “Miss Fort Findlay,” Findlay earned the title “Flag also underwent a name change, Co. A factory was built at 230 was inaugurated during the dec- and Jill Koehler served as “Miss Hancock County.” Jack Harrington Capital” of the nation on Flag becoming Centrex Corp. in 1963. E. Sandusky St. and purchased ade, and the Mental Health and was president and general chairman of the celebration. Day 1968. Local resident John The following year, the corpora- by Leonard Glessn er. One of the Mental Retardation board was In conjunction with the sesquicentennial, a time capsule was buried B. Cooke obtained donations to tion made stock available to the firm’s more popular products was formed to provide local mental at Riverside Park. Items included an autographed picture of President purchase 14,000 small American public, ending nearly 40 years of Dr. Drake’s German Cough and health services. John F. Kennedy, a sesquicentennial edition of the Republican-Courier flags, which were distributed private control. Croup Remedy. newspaper, and a portion of then-Mayor William J. Carlin’s beard. to every home in the city. The A number of other companies The closing of these busi- The time capsule was to be opened in 2012 on the community’s 24-hour Flag Capital designation, established facilities in Findlay nesses “may have been a sign of Wolf: 419-427-8419 200th anniversary. by the National Society of the Sons during the decade, including the times,” said Paulette Weiser, [email protected] THE COURIER D2 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 The 1970s: A blizzard to remember By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF enclosed during the 1970s, and way into a new building on West with plans to expand its facility, cause. STAFF WRITER Tif fin Avenue was widened to Sandusky Street. The newspa- and the Hancock County Alcohol- Meanwhile, two firemen, The 1970s. make the area more accessible. per shortened its name from the ism Council was started. Ro land Smith and William VanA- It was the era of Kent State and Hancock County 95 was Republican-Courier to the Courier The Hancock Regional Park tta, drowned during a rescue Madison & Keegan Faulkner extended, and extensive improve- in 1976. District was developed in 1970 to Watergate. attempt April 22, 1978. A memo- 50 years om now, ments were made to Interstate 75 Meanwhile, Gar-Wood Indus- provide for the community’s grow- rial marker was dedicated near the The Iran hostage crisis. when the 2012 time capsule is opened, Legionnaire’s Disease and the around the western edge of the tries ceased production of the ing need for recreational space. site on the Blanchard River where nation’s bicentennial. city and on into Allen Township. Buckeye Traction Ditcher machine City leaders also made plans to they died. we pray that you will be healthy & happy But the thing people probably Findlay also started work on an in the early 1970s. Various ver- convert a former dump into a rec- and will have exerienced a lifetime $850,000 Trenton Avenue over- sions of the machine had been reational area called Swale Park. fll of love and many blessings. remember most is the snow. Wolf: 419-427-8419 The blizzard of 1977 was pass project. made here since early in the cen- It was a busy decade for Blan- We love you, Mom & Dad [email protected] described, perhaps inaccurately, In business news, Whirl- tury. chard Valley School with the as the worst snowstorm to ever pool Corp. constructed a The city, which had grown to con struction of two buildings, hit the area. Findlay was laid low 550,000-square-foot distribution a population of 35,800, was rec- including an adult activity center by record-breaking cold and 12 center just south of its North Main ognized as “Flag City of America.” and a social services building. inches of snow. Street plant. U.S. Rep. Tennyson Guyer of Find- The United Community Fund As it turned out, the real bliz- Centrex Corp. completed the lay introduced the congressional of Hancock County officially • Gift Baskets • Gourmet Food zard did not arrive until one year expansion and renovation of its resolution. It was the only designa- became the United Way of Han- tion of its kind in the na tion. • Seasonal Decor • Jewelry later. corporate headquarters on West- cock Coun ty in 1975. 327 S. Main St. 419-425-5510 January 1978 was a month ern Avenue. Residents also helped finance Findlay resident L. Dale www.shopdorannes.com • Wine Accessories • Unique Gifts plagued by storms. Jeffco Manufacturing Co. an addition at the YMCA. The Dorney died the following year at • Serving Dishes Gusting winds whipped snow began operations in 1973 by pro- wing housed a new gymnasium, the age of 90. Prior to his death, into drifts and created treacher- ducing a new type of beer can for handball courts and a second he estab lished a $5 million trust Located in the heart of downtown - ous driving conditions Jan. 8-9. A testing by Stroh Brewery. The swimming pool. The Y also pur- fund through the Cleveland Foun- across from the courthouse...since 2002. second storm a week later dumped local firm lat er became the Ball chased a tract of land 10 miles dation. Dorney specified that part three more inches on the ground. Metal Container Group. A $14.8 west of Findlay to serve as a park of the yearly profits be distributed As the Findlay area attempted million expansion was undertaken site for day camp programs. to nonprofit organizations in Han- to dig its way out, a third storm in 1978. The Hancock Historical cock County. The first grants were arrived Jan. 20. Winds gusting as Hancock Brick & Tile Co. Museum was founded in 1970. The awarded in 1979. Niswander’s Jewelers Since 1937 high as 39 miles per hour caused changed its name to Hancor Inc. associa tion acquired the historic Several major fires occurred 5.2 inches of new snow to drift during the decade. Hull House at 420 W. Sandusky during the 1970s. over area roads. In 1973, the Community St. The structure, which was built Calvary Baptist Church and Celebrating Less than a week later, the real Im provement Corp. (CIC) of Find- during the gas boom days, was Christ Church United Method- blizzard hit with a vengeance. lay/Hancock County reached an added to the National Register of ist were both damaged by fire in agreement to purchase 375 acres 1973. A 23-year-old Findlay man 75 Years A night of freezing rain pre- Historic Places in 1973. ceded nine inches of snow. High of land in Marion Township for the was later arrested and charged development of an industri al park. The Hancock Recreation with malicious burning. winds, bitter temperatures and Center opened that same year on In Business The property was platted as the The north grandstand at the snow paralyzed the area for North Main Street. Fine Diamonds, Jewelry, Findlay Industrial Center. Old Millstream Fairgrounds was Owners: Barry & Terry Niswander sever al d ays. The Findlay-Hancock County Watches, Fine Gifts That same year, Findlay Pub- completely destroyed by fire in Staff Members: Roads were blocked. Power, Public Library moved forward & Clocks wa ter and phone service were lishing Co. moved from Broad- 1978. Arson was ruled as the Karla, Janelle & Paula disrupted. Neighbors banded 331 S. Main St. together to battle the cold and Downtown Findlay share dwin dling food supplies. www.niswanderjewelers.com President Carter declared a federal state of emergency in Free Parking Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Ohio in rear Na tional Guard and U.S. Army “Your Hometown Jeweler” troops were called on to help with recovery operations. At least 12 people in Han- cock and four area counties died from weather-related causes. The only Hancock County death was Otis Van Sickle, 81, of McComb, who suffered from frostbite after spending more than 24 hours in his unheated home. Findlay officials estimated the storm cost the city more than $188,000, not counting another $80,000 to repair streets damaged by cold, snow and ice. The decade’s severe weather was not limited to snow, however. In 1973, a tornado touched down near the Findlay Reservoir, rip ping trees out of the ground and the roofs off barns. Some 50 boats docked at the reservoir were over turned. A 12-year-old boy was cut by flying glass at his home on Ohio 37. A year later, a flash flood caused the evacuation of 16 fami- lies at Greenbriar Apartments on South Main Street. Photos provided by Nick Moore and Lynn Riker When residents were not bat- JANUARY OF 1978 brought a blizzard tling the elements, they were busy that no one around at the time will making improvements in the city. soon forget. A night of freezing rain Ribbon-cutting ceremonies was followed by nine inches of snow, were held in 1978 to mark the high winds and bitter cold. The entire opening of Findlay’s $1.7 mil- area was paralyzed for several days. lion Central Parkway project. Amy Diller walks down Main Street The four-lane roadway connected (left), dragging a basket on a sled to East Main Cross Street to the Food Town to stock up on supplies. Tiffin Avenue-Blanchard Street Kirt and Mary Riker (above), along intersection to help ease traffic with their French poodle, pose for flow between downtown and the a photo next to a big pile of snow at shopping cen ter. their West Lima Street home. The Findlay Village Mall was End of the road for a longtime landmark

A Findlay landmark was lost in 1978 when the former Phoenix Hotel It went through numerous name changes, including the American at South Main and Main Cross streets was razed. House, the Humphrey House, the Marvin Hotel and finally the Phoenix. The Pheasant Room had been a popular restaurant in the building Through the years, the hotel survived a gas explosion, fire and bank- for years. ruptcy, said Weiser. “That was a sad day for the community,” said Paulette Weiser, former “Changes were made, of course. But the building really went through curator/archivist at the Han cock Historical Museum. “A lot of people a lot and survived for a long time,” she said. remember the Phoe nix.” Other buildings also were de molished during the decade, including RED WING OF FINDLAY The location had been the site of a hotel for more than a centu ry. As the Woolworth store at South Main and Crawford streets; the Royal Proudly Serving Findlay Since 1998! early as the mid-1830s, John Patterson operated a hotel there. Theater, 510 S. Main St.; and the Harris The ater, 606 S. Main St. In “From the earliest years of Findlay’s existence, it was a hotel,” said 1978, Green Mill Gardens, a onetime dance pavilion turned roller-skat- 325 S. Main St. • 419-423-9990 Weiser. ing rink at Riverside Park, was razed. Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-5 Congratulations Findlay on Your Bicentennial!

STARLEY CANNON DEB COLE TRENT FARTHING JULI FRANKART RAY FRANKART JENNIFER GRIFFIN AMIE HATHAWAY LAUREN HELDMAN CHAR JOHANNIGMAN 419-722-3942 419-348-5015 419-306-1769 419-348-8262 419-348-8263 419-421-7340 419-619-5002 419-348-9065 419-306-8657

JOAN KAGY SARAH LEAL TOM LEDDY LYNDA NISWANDER ANITA PATRICK RUTHELLEN ONDRUS COLLEEN ROBINSON DONNA RUSE CHERYL STERLING GREG WILLIAMS 419-348-1344 419-438-2014 419-424-9451 419-421-1656 419-348-8910 419-889-4115 419-348-4691 419-889-1939 419-722-8991 419-348-9005 JOIN US ALONG WITH SHERLOCK HOMES PROPERTY SERVICES AT THE JUNE 22nd RELAY FOR LIFE FROM 6-8 PM. WE ARE FUNDRAISING FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY WHEN WE OFFER TETHERED RE/MAX BALLOON RIDES AT THE HANCOCK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS T 1621 TIFFIN AVE., FINDLAY, OH 419-423-8004 4 Mon. - Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm, Sat. 9am-12pm Each Office Independently Owned and Operated THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL D3 1980s: Findlay overcomes adversity

By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF terson’s Department Store, which STAFF WRITER was rec ognized as Ohio’s oldest The 1980s were memorable independently-owned retail busi- Saturn years in the Findlay area. ness. The store opened in 1849 at Local happenings on several South Main and West Sandusky speculation streets. occasions drew national atten- One business deal never tion. Perhaps best remembered The Fort Findlay Motor Inn materialized, but caused is 1981, when a flood hit the area closed its doors in 1985 after plenty of commotion in in June, and a corporate takeover 145 years of serving downtown 1985. battle for Marathon Oil Co. began Findlay as a hotel, nightclub and An edition of AutoWeek inO ctober. restaurant. Located at the corner magazine listed Findlay as When rain began to fall in of South Main and East Front one of eight top sites for early June 1981, few would have streets, the building was trans- Gen eral Motors’ proposed predicted that floodwaters would formed into the Sherman House, Saturn automobile plant. en gulf Findlay over the weekend an independent living facility pri- The report caused a flood of June 13, causing more than $13 marily for senior citizens. of local rumors and specula- million in damage to 2,200 homes That same year, the former tion that lasted for months, and 500 businesses. Ohio National Egbert furniture and carpet store until GM announced it was Guardsmen were activated to help at 404 E. Sandusky St. was torn picking a Tennessee site for secure the flooded area. down. Lying below the 94-year-old the plant. brick building was the second nat- The flooding surpassed the Courier fi le photo level reached by the last major FINDLAY RESIDENTS GATHER at a rally in support of Marathon Oil Co. in 1981. The rally included a ural gas well to be drilled during flood in 1959. But it was not parade down Main Street. That year, Mobil Corp. attempted a hostile takeover of the company. Local the days leading up to the Find- Memorial, which included two worse than the 1913 flood when leaders feared that if Mobil was successful, it would mean the end for Marathon in Findlay. Mobil’s bid lay gas boom of the late 1880s. rooms in Findlay College’s Shafer the entire city was inundated. failed when Marathon merged with U.S. Steel. It was known as the Hull well on Library, a scholarship and annual The floodwaters also hit property owned by Jasper G. Hull. lecture series. Ottawa and Carey. Hancock, of directors rejected Mobil’s take- bers Industrial Center off Hancock sion and renovation of the Find- The building was originally As part of the lecture series, Putnam and Wyandot counties over bid in November and filed an County 95 in the late 1980s. lay Village Mall were announced called the Opp House, a saloon former Presi dent Gerald Ford were declared major disaster areas antitrust suit against Mobil. An And on the city’s west side, in 1987. The $16 million project and third-rate hotel. Later it was spoke before a gather ing of about by President Ronald Reagan. estimated 5,000 people turned out the Westfield Industrial Park was involved a 200,000-square-foot the Apostolic School, Assembly 2,000 people at the college in 1987. Later that year, a serious eco- for a pro-Marathon rally before a developed. expan sion and renovation, and the of God Church, and then the fur- Bush returned in 1988 when nomic threat made headlines. Findlay High School football game Findlay’s population held addi tion of 55 retail stores. niture store. The well had been he brought his presidential cam- On Oct. 30, Mobil Corp., the at Donnell Stadium. steady at 35,594 during the The latter part of the 1980s capped in 1932. paign to town. He spoke to a large na tion’s second-largest oil com- Democratic Sen. Howard Met- decade, and a number of multi- saw several more significant In 1987, Producers Livestock downtown crowd and also helped pany, started a hostile takeover zenbaum, D-Ohio, made a rare million-dollar government build- construc tion projects. In May As sociation ceased operations in launch the city’s first Flag City attempt of Marathon Oil Co. Mobil Findlay appearance, attending a ing projects were undertaken. 1988, Nation al Lime and Stone Findlay after 47 years because of USA celebration. said if it was successful in acquir- local public meeting on the take- In 1984, a new Findlay Munici- Co. announced that up to $70 mil- declining livestock numbers in the President Reagan campaigned ing 40 million Marathon shares at over bid Nov. 11. On the same day, pal Building was completed. lion would be spent over a period area. here, too. In 1984 he made a whis- $85 apiece, it would try to obtain 6,000 Findlay residents attended Two years later, the Hancock of years to build an office/housing RCA announced in 1988 that it tle-stop campaign tour through all remaining shares through a a massive pro-Marathon rally County commissioners decided complex in and around the com- would sell its solid state division, Ohio on a railroad car once used merg er, an exchange offer, or both. which included a parade down not to participate in a regional pany’s Western Avenue quarry in including the 1,350-employee by Harry Truman. A crowd esti- Community leaders feared that Main Street. jail and instead announced plans Findlay, which would be phased semiconductor plant in Findlay, mated at 12,000 greeted the if Mobil succeeded, the takeover On Nov. 19, 1981, U.S. Steel to build a 96-bed county jail down- out of pro duction. to Florida-based Harris Corp. presi dent at a stop in Ottawa, and would mean the end of Marathon Corp. made a friendly bid for town. The $8.2 million Hancock A two-year project to rebuild Centrex Corp. agreed in 1987 8,000 people packed the village of Oil in Findlay. Marathon, offering $125 a share County Justice Center opened for four miles of Interstate 75 through to pay $200,000 to more than Deshl er to see Reagan there. What followed was a flurry of for 30 million Marathon shares. public tours in 1989. Findlay began in the late 1980s. 500 west side Findlay residents Gov. Richard Celeste and board of director activity and com- Remaining Marathon shares were Later that year, Hancock Coun- The southbound lanes were rebuilt and permanently shut down its more than a dozen cabinet mem- munity action. Marathon’s board to be converted into U.S. Steel ty voters rejected a tax levy to pay in 1989, and the northbound lanes rubber reclamation equipment, to bers came to Findlay in 1987 for a notes. Mobil raised its bid to $126 for renovating the old 1879 county were completed a year later. Con- settle a class action lawsuit. The Capital for a Day program. a share, but to no avail. jail. struction caused massive traf fic suit al leged that emissions from Several deadly and noteworthy U.S. Steel, later USX Corp., “At the time, I believe that it jams. Cen trex’s Western Avenue plant fires occurred during the 1980s. 1988 drought became Mara thon’s new parent was the oldest county jail house The Ohio Department of re sulted in noxious odors. On Thanksgiving Day 1981, in early 1982 when U.S. Supreme still in use,” said Paulette Weiser, Transportation decided in 1987 to U.S. Rep. Tennyson Guyer, a pro duction facilities at Findlay’s The drought of 1988 Court Chief Justice Warren E. former curator/archivist at the close the roadside rest area on U.S. Findlay native whose political Her cules Tire & Rubber Co. were began in April and May Burger refused to block U.S. Hancock Historical Museum. 68, just south of Findlay, despite ca reer spanned more than 40 de stroyed by fire. with continuing dry spells. Steel’s $6.2 billion takeover of “The Historic Preservation opposition from some area resi- years, died in 1981 at the age of Later that same year, a rural By June, the drought Marathon. Guild fought so hard to save that dents. The rest area, which dated 68. The 4th District Republican Arlington woman died in a fire combined with record- A majority of Marathon share- building,” she said. “They brought to 1936, was Ohio’s first. assumed the congressional seat that destroyed Meijer’s Square, breaking high temperatures holders voted in 1982 to merge in a consultant. They had a plan Blanchard Valley Hospital’s in 1973 and was re-elected four a Findlay discount store. Linda to dam age crops and farm- their company with U.S. Steel. to restore it. There were ways to new $5.9 million outpatient treat- times. He was succeeded by Pever, a store employee, died in ers’i ncomes. The Marathon scare motivated save it.” ment center opened in 1989. At then-state Rep. Mi chael G. Oxley, the blaze and two other employees Area churches held rain government and civic lead ers to But despite their efforts, the the same time, ground was broken R-Findlay, who won the seat by were injured. The store was a total vig ils, and restrictions were begin a concerted effort to expand old building was demolished. for a $1.7 million radiation therapy narrowly defeat ing Democratic loss and there was heavy smoke placed on watering lawns and diversify the city’s economy. The city’s water treatment center. state Rep. Dale Locker of Anna. damage to the adjacent Great and washing cars. The The Community Development plant received a major upgrade in A number of significant busi- Guyer was honored a few years Scot supermarket. Losses were restric tions were finally Research Foundation was formed, 1986 when a $19.6 million project ness closings and changes also later when Vice President and estimated at $1.2 million. lifted in No vember. and the old Findlay Industrial Park was completed. oc curred during the decade, Mrs. George Bush visited Findlay was developed into the Tall Tim- Initial plans for a major expan- includ ing the 1982 demise of Pat- to dedicate the Tennyson Guyer See 1980S, Page D4 THE COURIER D4 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

Ross, Jack, 1990s: Businesses, community expand Noah & Grant Rambo By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF Harris Corp. announced it while keeping its name, became decade. of the city’s sewer system. STAFF WRITER would invest $20 million in its part of Sky Financial Group. In 1992-93, Findlay City Coun- The Hancock County commis- My hope for the As Findlay entered the 1990s Findlay plant in 1994 to increase Meanwhile, Columbus-based cil approved the purchase of the sioners decided in 1997 to close and the twilight of the 20th plant capacity and upgrade tech- Banc One Ohio Corp. in 1992 Mar athon Oil Co. airport and its the 130-year-old county home, next 50 years centu ry, it was business as usual. nology. In 1999, the plant was sold bought a majority of Dana’s Dia- facilities, while the city’s newest saying it was no longer economi- Progress continued to be the to another company and the name mond Savings and Loan Co., based fire station on County 236 was cal and feasible to operate. Thirty- brings you close or der of the day in all areas of the was changed to Intersil. in Findlay. Three years later, Banc dedicated in 1997. The station five residents were moved to other community. Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. One Mortgage Corp. decided to serves the eastern portion of the care facilities. The old county to God But the decade arrived with a unveiled plans in 1998 to build a consolidate its mortgage pro- city. home was renovated for offices wintry blast as a February 1990 $12.5 million dis tribution center cessing centers, and located one In 1999, council gave the go- and Family. storm glazed northern Ohio with at the intersection of Hancock of the new centers in Findlay at ahead for a $34 million expansion See 1990S, Page D5 ice, bringing down tree limbs, County 236 and 212. the site of the former downtown electric poles and lines. Thou- At the Lake Cascades Office Elder-Beerman store. sands of homes lost electricity Park complex, three companies — In 1997, the Findlay-Hancock 1860 during the storm. Damage-related Findlay Publishing Co.’s broadcast County Community Development costs totaled more than $250,000 operations, Pry CPA Services and Foundation (CDF) and the Find- Findlay Optical locally. National Lime and Stone Co. — lay-Hancock Chamber of Com- Later that month, hundreds announced intentions to build a merce agreed to merge, with the 714 S. Main St, Findlay, OH of motorists found themselves new fa cility in 1991. CDF becoming a division of the 419-423-2651 • Karla Sasse, Owner stranded in Findlay when a fierce Retailers also made some note- chamber. winter storm hit, causing white- worthy decisions during the dec- In 1999, the Fostoria Review out conditions and icy roads. More ade. Walmart became the anchor Times newspaper was purchased 2012 than 100 accidents occurred coun- store for a new $11.2 million shop- by the Findlay Publishing Co., tywide. ping center on Findlay’s east side publishers of the Courier. Floods were part of the local in 1990, while Lowe’s opened a The decade also marked the Findlay Optical... weather scene, as well. The city 65,000-square-foot store in 1993. end of three longtime Findlay Get Your battled high water in 1991, 1992 At the end of 1999, plans were in busi nesses: Fenstermaker’s Shoe and 1998. Residents also felt the the works for Lowe’s to build a Co., Parker True Value Building a history of “Sassy Specs” earth move when a small earth- new superstore. Center, and Kaminsky Jewelers. excellent service at quake rattled the area in 1990. No A $25 million expansion and Findlay’s Sundor Brands plant Findlay Optical damage or injuries were reported renovation project at the Find- transferred production lines to since 1970. from the quake which registered lay Vil lage Mall was completed other states, then closed the local a magnitude of 2.5 on the Richter in 1990, and Kohl’s Department factory. The Quality Stores distri- scale. Store opened a 75,000-square-foot bution center left town a few years The community was moved depart ment store in 1994 on Tiffin later. The center needed more in a different way when the Dalai Ave nue. space and moved to Fostoria. Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, In downtown Findlay, a new Findlay’s low-power television brought his message of love and Rite Aid Pharmacy was built at station, WFND-TV 47, suspended compassion to Findlay in 1991. Center and North Main streets local live programming as the sta- The Dalai Lama was just one of in 1997. tion’s management was cut back several dignitaries to visit the city Two huge distribution centers, and restructured in 1995. Later, during the decade. one for Kohl’s and one for Best the station went off the air. President George Bush was a Buy, opened in the 1990s. Kohl’s Fires caused millions of dollars frequent visitor, bringing his presi- Distribution began its operations worth of damage to several local dential campaign to the area twice in 1994 on Hancock County 140. businesses. in 1992. Later, in 1998, Bush vis- That same year, Best Buy Co. A 1994 blaze destroyed Find- ited Findlay as a former president picked Findlay as the site for lay’s City Laundry and Dry Clean- to raise funds for then-Ohio Gov. a major distribution center on ing Co. on East Main Cross Street. George Voinovich. Township 212, north of the Tall Losses were estimated at $3 mil- Other visitors included Vice Timbers Industrial Center. lion to $5 million. The company President Dan Quayle, who Significant mergers also took constructed a new building in sampled ham burgers at Wilson’s place during the 1990s. the Westfield Industrial Park and in 1990, and President Bill Clin- Marathon Oil Co. and Ash- a new retail store on East Main ton, who spoke in Arlington and land Inc. decided in 1996 to con- Cross. passed through Findlay during a solidate their refining, marketing In 1995, five buildings at train tour of Ohio in 1996. and transportation operations in a the northeast corner of Center Republican presidential candi- joint venture called Marathon Ash- and North Main streets were date Bob Dole also made a local land Petroleum (MAP). MAP was destroyed by fire. A year later, campaign stop that same year. headquartered in Findlay. a blaze at Roger’s Pallet Service The city’s 35,703 residents saw In 1998, OHM Corp. was on Crystal Avenue resulted in the business community continue acquired by Pittsburgh-based $400,000 in damage. to change, with several expansions International Technology in a A fallen electrical line was and mergers. Some longtime busi- cash and stock transaction valued blamed for starting an Easter nesses also closed their doors. at about $365 million. Sunday fire in the storage yard at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Another merger involved Ohio Hantech in 1998. The blaze sent in De cember 1992 undertook a Bank, Findlay’s last locally-owned flames shooting hundreds of feet 163,000-square-foot addition to bank, which agreed to join with into the sky and generated billow- its Findlay plant as part of a $9.5 Citizens Bancshares of Salineville ing clouds of black smoke. Dam- mil lion project. A few years later, and Mid Am Inc. of Bowling Green age was estimated at more than Cooper built a $14.4 million tire in a stock transac tion valued at $1 million. molds manufacturing plant in the about $191 million. The deal was City and county government Tall Timbers Industrial Center. completed in 1998. Ohio Bank, leaders kept busy during the

reorgani zation plan to the Find- three boys and two girls, at Toledo lay school board in 1988. The plan Hospital. One of the babies died, 1980s called for pairing most elementary but four survived. buildings into regional schools; Findlay area residents also Continued from page D3 converting the three junior high be came more involved in the com- schools into middle schools; and munity during the decade. Findlay resident Dean Weaver moving the ninth grade to Findlay A group of residents, headed later pleaded guilty to four charges High School. Voters rejected the by the Citizens Task Force for in connection with the fire, but idea in May 1989. Action on Crime and Vandalism, then denied that he committed organized a Block Watch program the ar son. In a plea agreement, At the college level, Owens in 1980 to combat vandalism and Weaver entered guilty pleas to Technical College announced other crime. By the year’s end, attempted involuntary manslaugh- that it would begin offering tech- city police declared the program ter, attempted aggravated arson, nical education classes locally. A a s uc cess. and arson. He was given a 3-15 32,000-square-foot building was The first Findlay Arts Festival year prison term. A new Meijer’s constructed on a 4.2-acre campus was held in the early 1980s in store opened in Findlay in 1985. adjacent to Findlay College. Classes were first offered in the downtown Findlay, and became an Also in 1985, a huge fire gutted fall of 1983. annual event. The festival site was three buildings in the 300 block of Several area agencies also moved to Riverside Park in 1988. North Main Street, resulting in at made significant strides in the One day in 1986, thousands of least $200,000 in damage. Build- 1980s. area residents took part in Hands ings housing Specialty Flooring, The Hancock-Hardin-Wyan- Across America, an attempt to the Garage Sale and the adjoin- dot-Putnam Community Action form a human chain across 4,000 ing Lee’s Barber Shop were all Com mission moved into a leased miles of the United States to raise destroyed. building on Jefferson Street in the money to aid the nation’s hungry The Salvation Army’s thrift early 1980s. The agency bought and poor. store on East Main Cross Street the fa cility in 1988. The first Red Ribbon Celebra- was destroyed by fire in 1988. In 1980, the YMCA’s park site tion was held in Findlay in 1989 After leasing a spot in the 800 was renamed Camp Mosshart in to promote awareness about the block of North Main Street, the memory of Ray Mosshart, who use and abuse of alcohol and other or ganization bought the former served as the general secretary of drugs. American Home Furnishings the Findlay YMCA from 1933-79. Store and reopened the thrift store In 1981, the former Findlay Rac- Wolf: 419-427-8419 at 509 N. Main St. At the time, quet Center on Manor Hill Drive [email protected] it was billed as the largest thrift was purchased and became the Y’s store in northwest Ohio. new tennis center. In 1989, fire destroyed the The former Hancock County JERRY AUGUST’S north ern, newer section of Children’s Home on North Main Findlay’s Hope Temple Church. Street was purchased by the Damage topped $2 million, but Hancock County Mental Health no one was injured. An electri- Society in 1983 for use as office GEORGIA CONNECTION cal problem was suspected as the space for the mental health clinic. cause. The Hancock County Alcoholism A winter storm hit the area in Coun cil changed its name to the 1982. Record-breaking cold tem- Lin coln Center in 1986. Your Family-Owned Flooring Connection Since 1975! peratures and a wind chill factor Also, an exhibit area was which dipped to 71 degrees below added at the Hancock Historical Jerry August’s Georgia Connection has been serving Findlay for 36 years. Our location at zero on Jan. 10 caused problems Muse um’s historic center, and the 350 E. Sandusky St. was built in 1904 as a wholesale grocery warehouse called Eldridge & Higgins Co. for area residents. A blizzard- Han cock County Chapter of the It later changed ownership to A.E. Dorsey and then to The Midland Grocery. like storm dumped more than 10 American Red Cross moved into inches of snow on the area three new quarters after renovating a We have enjoyed serving Findlay’s flooring needs from this historical warehouse atmosphere weeks later. for mer lumber company business and look forward to providing the same quality flooring, affordable In education news, a com- on Fair Street. pricing and great service for many years to come. mittee of school personnel and In 1981, Janice Granata of communi ty members presented a Findlay gave birth to quintuplets, Thank you Findlay for your Serving you a slice of continued patronage! Paradise for over 11 years! Happy 200th 350 E. Sandusky St. Findlay, Ohio Findlay! 419-423-1465 Hours: 542 Sixth Street • 419-422-9200 Mon. 9-7, Tues.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-2 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL D5

doctor. opened in 1997 in the former In 1993, the Blanchard Parkview Church of Christ to 1990s Valley Health Association house the county’s Head Start (BVHA) bought the down- pro gram. Continued from page D4 town Sherman House for An ongoing project was $720,000, converting the the Find lay Family YMCA’s in 1998, and the Hancock former downtown Findlay $5 million capital campaign County Educational Ser- hotel and apartment complex to renovate and expand the vice Center became the first into an in dependent living structure, which was built in tenant. facility, primarily for senior 1963. In 1990, the Hancock citizens. The YMCA moved its day County Children Services Another BVHA purchase, care facilities into the former board voted to combine Winebrenner Village at 415 Marathon Pipe Line Co. build- the agency with the coun ty College St., was made in ing at 231 E. Lincoln St. in Department of Human Serv- 1997. Earlier in the decade, 1998. A few years earlier, the ices. A new office building a $2.4 million care center, Y joined with Hope House to was erected on county-owned designed for adults suffer ing open the Hardin House for the property south of the county from Alzheimer’s and related Homeless, to provide a shelter home, and the department diseases, was opened at the for homeless women and their moved into its new $1.37 mil- Winebrenner complex. children, at 331 E. Hardin St. lion home in 1993. A new urgent care center, The Lincoln Center moved Hancock County officials Phy sicians Plus, was opened into new quarters at 1918 N. dedi cated their new court by BVHA in 1998 at the Main St. in 1990. In 1997, the building on Broadway in corner of Allen Township 99 center, along with Family Ser- 1991, after the 124-year-old and North Main Street. vice of Hancock County and building underwent $600,000 Among notable educa- the John C. Hutson Center, in renovations. The struc ture, tion-related projects, Find- consolidated into a single which previously housed the lay school board decided in agency called Century Health. sheriff’s department and the 1999 to fund three build ing The Hancock County RANDY ROBERTS / The Courier Republican-Courier offices, additions with a bank loan, Communi ty Partnership also FINDLAY FIREFIGHTERS rescue city residents from the fl ooded East-View Drive area in August 2007 as rain- became home to the county’s rather than a traditional bond was developed in 1990. swollen creeks, ditches and the Blanchard River spilled over their banks. The height of the fl oodwater nearly tied probate and juvenile court. issue. The $4.5 million project The L. Dale Dorney Fund the 1913 fl ood, the worst in Findlay’s history. Both the Findlay and Han- added classrooms at Findlay in 1999 became independent cock County health boards High, Whittier Primary and of the Cleveland Foundation approved regulations in 1993 Wilson Van ce Intermediate and changed its name to the that banned smoking in most School. Findlay-Hancock County public places and workplaces Owens Technical College Community Foundation. 2000 on: Ups and downs, in the city and county. broke ground for a $2.1 mil- Other significant local In 1998, the county lion building on its Findlay events in cluded the opening commission ers approved campus in 1990. The com- of a new $3 million Findlay buying a downtown building, munity college also opened a Country Club and the Han- but progress continues the Midtowne Centre Build- 23,000-square-foot Center for cock Park District’s 227-acre ing on West Main Cross, for Development and Training on Litzenberg Memorial Woods, $1.25 million. It was reno- Find lay’s Commerce Parkway both in 1995. The park is west By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF the community did its part by collect- and is headquartered in Findlay, while vated to provide offices for the in 1998. of Findlay. STAFF WRITER ing funds and supplies to assist the Houston is the base for Marathon Oil commissioners, the county The University of Find- Notable Findlay area The decade of the 2000s — as well evacuees. Corp., which focuses on crude oil pro- auditor, treasurer, recorder lay, meanwhile, announced deaths during the decade as 2011 and the first half of 2012 — Two years later, however, local and duction and exploration. It’s the first and title office. a campaign in 1996 to raise included Jackson E. Betts, have been a time of extremes in Find- area residents were the ones in need time in 20 years that an independent A local landmark was lost $27.5 million through the Hancock County’s former lay. of help when the Blanchard River Marathon has been headquartered in 1990 when the old post year 2000 to construct a congressman for 22 years The new millennium began with a flooded — nearly matching the famous in Findlay, adding jobs to the 1,500 office on Broadway, which health sciences building and and a former speaker of the sigh of relief when the feared computer and worst flood of 1913. Businesses, already here. became a library in 1930, a recreation center, renovate Ohio House, who died in 1993 bug Y2K failed to materialize and all schools and homes were damaged or Marathon Petroleum is also help- was razed. The building, ing Findlay reduce its electric bill. A Old Main, make technological at the age of 89; and former of the computers didn’t go haywire as destroyed at a cost of millions of dol- constructed near the turn of lars. One man drowned when his car 5,100-panel solar array will be set up in improvements and strengthen Findlay Mayor W. Bentley predicted. the century, was torn down its endowment. became trapped in high water. a field near the sewage treatment plant Burr, who died in 1994 at Local electric companies reported to make room for a $3.8 mil- In 1994, the $3 million Studies then began, and continue off Broad Avenue and is expected to 78. Burr was a founder of the no Y2K problems because of extensive lion ex pansion project at the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts local Community Develop- today, into how the region can control save the city about $80,000 annually. and expensive preparations. The same Findlay-Hancock County Pavilion was dedicated at the ment Foundation and the driv- and reduce its flooding problem. Cooper Rubber & Tire Co. has had Public Library. university. In 1999, the uni- ing force behind construction was true at Ameritech, at local banks, Northwestern Ohio, including Find- its ups and downs. More than 1,000 A major project began versity opened the $11 million of a new municipal building at Blanchard Valley Hospital, and at lay and Hancock County, also caught unionized workers were locked out at the Hancock Historical Ralph and Gladys Koehler Fit- in 1984. Cooper Tire and Marathon. the national economic flu. Factories from November 2011 until the end of Museum, a $2 million cam- ness and Recreation Complex. In 1996, former Findlay The decade had barely started, closed, unemployment rates rose and February 2012, when a new five-year paign to renovate and expand Social service agen- Mayor Keith D. Romick, who though, when terrorists struck one governments cut back. labor contract was ratified. Cooper the main facility on West San- cies were also busy during served three terms in the city’s clear September morning in 2001 and But through those dark times, prog- continued to produce tires during the dusky Street. the 1990s. Major projects top office, died at age 74. Two nearly 3,000 Americans died at the ress has continued. lockout using temporary workers. In the health arena, included a 4,800-square-foot years later, longtime Findlay World Trade Center, Pentagon and in Unemployment rates for March Three years earlier, a campaign Blanchard Valley Hospital addition at the Salvation Judge John Patterson died at rural Pennsylvania. 2012 dropped in all 88 Ohio counties, was mounted to persuade Cooper to and Bluffton Com munity Hos- Army headquarters in 1993, 68. He was in his second term Findlay residents mourned and including in Hancock County, which keep the Findlay plant open. The city pital merged in 1995, chang- and a two-story addition for on the common pleas court prayed. They gave blood and bought had the eighth-lowest rate at 6.5 per- offered free water and sewer service as ing their names to Blanchard the Findlay City Mission in bench. In 1999, former Ohio thousands of flags to show their patri- cent. part of a $3 million incentive package. Valley Regional Health Cen- 1998. appeals court Judge Ralph D. otism and support for the country. A More jobs came to town when Mar- Several other companies have ter. A year earlier, Blanchard The Winfield Child Cole Jr. of Findlay, who also Red, White & Blue Candlelight Vigil athon Oil leaders split the corporation expanded and celebrated anniversaries Val ley Hospital had opened its Develop ment Center, oper- had served seven terms as a and Memorial was held downtown. into two publicly traded companies in over the past 11½ years. new Caughman Health Clinic ated by the HHWP Com- state rep resentative, died at Then came natural disasters like 2011. Marathon Petroleum Corp. is the for residents unable to find a munity Action Commission, age 85. Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Again, fifth-largest oil refiner in the country See 2000, Page D6 TOM AHL HYUNDAI OF FINDLAY AS FINDLAY CELEBRATES THEIR 200TH, TOM AHL IS CELEBRATING OUR 50TH WITH OUR BIGGEST EVENT EVER!! WE WILL BE GIVING AWAY A BRAND NEW VEHICLE ON JUNE 14TH! FREE 4 LIVE RADIO FREE PRIZE STATIONS KIDS T-SHIRTS AT EVENT! FOOD GIVEAWAYS TO BE THROWN OUT FUN! REGISTER ONLINE OR IN STORES NOW. REGISTRATION ENDS JUNE 12TH COMPLETE DETAILS AT WWW.TOMAHL.COM VINCE DOWNING JAY COCHENSPARGER *MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO SIGN UP. All Dealerships GM Findlay GM BRAND NEW 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS SUSAN MORRISON DON GONYA Finance Sales LEASE PER MO. FOR ONLY$159 FOR 36 MONTHS. JIM HADDOX WOODY JONES Sales Sales OWN FOR $18,999! UP TO *12,000 MILES PER YEAR, 19 CENTS PER MILE THEREAFTER. $2,850 40MPG TOD KITCHEN JERRY KUHLMAN DUE AT SIGNING. EXCLUDES TAX, TITLE & DOC FEES. WITH APPROVED CREDIT. Used Car Manager Sales AMERICA’S BEST WARRANTY SALE HOURS: MON/THURS 9-8, 5-Year/60,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage TUES/WED/FRI 7-6, SAT 9-3 10-Year/100,000-Mile 419-424-4078 Powertrain Protection SUNDAY CLOSED 5-Year/Unlimited Miles www.tomahlfindlay.com 24-Hr. Roadside Assistance 15199 US 224 E. Findlay, OH 45840 THE COURIER D6 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

If only residents knew what building was razed. rium. The seminary was formerly was to come. Four years earlier, 38 people located on East Melrose Avenue. 2000 Another 2.3 inches of rain fell were displaced and several were At Blanchard Valley Hospi- in January 2007, causing flooding left homeless when fire destroyed tal, many buildings and offices Continued from page D5 of many downtown and area roads another downtown Findlay apart- opened, including the Thomas B. Kiya Papaya Boutique and businesses near the river, and Whirlpool Corp. invested $41 ment building and an adjacent and Kathleen M. Donnell Patient One of a Kind Unique Designs for rousting 60-70 people from their million in equipment and retool- business, the Star Pawn Shop Pavilion; Bridge Hospice Care homes. The river crested an inch Children of All Ages ing equipment early in the decade. on North Main Street. No inju- Center; Wound Care Solutions; higher than the flood during the The company also marked its 40th ries were reported. An electrical the EasternWoods Outpatient Check Out Our previous month. anniversary in 2007 and began problem was suspected as the Center; Birchaven Retirement Bicentennial/4th of July cause of that blaze. The pawn shop producing Maytag, Magic Chef The river flooded again on Jan. Village at EasternWoods; the Children’s Clothing! reopened a month later in a nearby and Crosley standard tub dish- 15, 2007, and yet again on March Blanchard Valley Regional 3. Main Street building. Cancer Center at EasternWoods; 419-957-1743 washers. 213 E. Crawford St., Findlay, Ohio Early in the decade, Lowe’s Before Valentine’s Day, a bliz- Also causing destruction was the North Baltimore Medical and and Findlay Ford Lincoln Mer- zard arrived with temperatures in the Emerald ash borer, a bug that Diagnostic Center; the William cury opened new, larger loca- the teens and winds of more than kills ash trees. It was found in E. Ruse Center, which houses tions. Lowe’s built and opened a 40 mph. Snow fell at the rate of Hancock County in March 2005. an emergency room, imaging $15 million home improvement an inch an hour, accumulating to Ohio Department of Agriculture services, same-day surgery and about 10 inches within a 24-hour officials discovered the beetle’s more; and Valley Health Center warehouse-superstore on the 1973 2012 former site of Findlay Ford on period and either closing or delay- larvae in the branches of ash trees in Kenton, through a partnership Bright Road. The 120,000-square- ing openings of area factories, that were being logged out of a with Hardin Memorial Hospital. foot center is twice the size of the government offices, banks and woodlot north of Van Buren. The The health system also com- company’s old location on Tiffin businesses. metallic green beetle, which has pleted a $2.85 million Bluffton Avenue. Lowe’s also constructed But by early summer that been moving its way south from Hospital expansion and renova- a $77 million distribution center. year, Findlay and northwest Ohio Michigan, later arrived in Findlay tion project. Findlay Ford, meanwhile, turned a “dry, dusty brown” as and began decimating the city’s The Hancock Park District opened an 84,000-square-foot drought conditions covered the ash trees. celebrated its 30th anniversary in dealership on Hancock County state, causing the federal govern- In other matters, Findlay City 2000. Since then, the park district 99. The lot accommodated 1,300 ment to declare Ohio a disaster Council agreed to trade a down- has constructed a 1.3-mile bike to 1,400 vehicles, as opposed to area. During June, only .65 inch town parking lot and part of path from Broad Avenue to North 750 to 800 that could be housed of rain fell, compared to seven Dorney Plaza to Hancock County Main street, opened a dog park at previously. However, the dealer- inches a year earlier for the month in 2003 in exchange for the Han- Riverbend Recreation Area, and OLD SHOES LIKE OLD FRIENDS... ship got caught in the auto indus- of June. A heat wave with tem- cock Recreation Center ice arena. moved its headquarters out of a try’s downward spiral. It was peratures pushing the 100-degree Three years later, $3 million in building at 819 Park St. and into are comfortable and hard to replace! purchased for $3.4 million in 2009 mark struck in August. renovations were started at the a larger house on East Main Cross and became part of Reineke Ford Aug. 21 brought too much center, including replacement of Street along the Blanchard River. • soles renewed most of the ice-making equipment. Findlay Shoe Repair Lincoln Mercury. rain, produced by the remnants The Lodge at Riverbend Rec- • heels replaced of Hurricane Erin and moisture The Hancock Leadership Class of The Tiffin Avenue Walmart reation Area was renamed Bru- • lifts restored 540 S. Main St. underwent an 80,000-square-foot from the Gulf of Mexico, ranging 2007 built a $75,000 “All Star geman Lodge, in honor of Tim Playground” next to the Cube, the • mileage added Downtown Findlay expansion in 2000, qualifying it from 5 to 9 inches. The flooding Brugeman, who retired in 2008 419-422-7977 for supercenter status. Six years Blanchard River crested at 18.5 new name of the recreation center. as the Hancock Park District’s • dollars $aved later, a second Walmart super- feet, or 7.5 feet above flood stage, In 2002, the Hancock County director, a job he held for 35 years. center opened on U.S. 224 near nearly matching the estimated commissioners built a one-stop The Hancock Historical Interstate 75, as an anchor store record of the famous and worst building to encompass all aspects Serving Findlay for over 43 years! at the Independence Square shop- flood of 1913. of auto licensing services on Han- See 2000, Page D8 ping center. Gale Augsburger, an 84-year- cock County 140. The Courier celebrated 175 old resident of Hancock County, Tony Iriti, Hancock County years in the newspaper business drowned when his car became auditor for 16 years, was elected in 2011. Other anniversaries were trapped in high water on Ohio mayor of Findlay in 2004. During  noted by Dow Chemical, 50 years; 235. his term, he developed a plan to and GSW, 20 years, both in 2009. The flood forced the library to deal with the 300,000 to 700,000 In 2000, Kuss Corp. con- close, causing extensive damage tires at the old Brandman    structed a $15 million plant in to books and materials on the tire dump, located next to the Tall Timbers Industrial Park lower level; necessitated the clos- Blanchard River off North Cory while Kohl’s Distribution Center ing of the bridge on East Main Street. The city purchased the site   undertook a $5 million expansion. Cross Street over Eagle Creek from its owner for $1. The tires It was the first brick and mortar after officials discovered struc- were ground up and the pieces expansion of the center on Han- tural damage; damaged several used as a liner for the Hancock   G  cock County 140 since its opening churches; forced the evacuation County landfill. in 1994. of 90 prisoners from the Han- A Lexington, Ky., developer Home Depot opened a new cock County jail; wiped out the then proposed a $90 million multi-   115,000-square-foot retail store on 150-vehicle inventory of Treadway use subdivision on the Brandman Tiffin Avenue, but it later closed. Chrysler Dodge on U.S. 224; and tire site and on neighboring Swale Another home improvement store, caused more than $1 million in Park property. The plan called      Menards, became an anchor store damage to Findlay City Schools’ for a baseball stadium, perform- in the Flag City Center on prop- facilities, particularly Central ing arts center, retail stores and Requirements erty east of County 236 and north Middle School. apartments. of U.S. 224 East. As residents cleaned up the However, Findlay voters CVS built a new store at the mess, more than 900 tons of trash rejected the proposed develop- • At least 21 years of age intersection of Tiffin Avenue and went to the landfill. ment. Afterward, the developer North Blanchard Street. More than 1,600 Hancock backed out of the project without Groundbreaking on Micro- County households became eli- breaking ground. • Can be married, single or co-parents soft Great Plains Business Solu- gible for the Federal Emergency Pete Sehnert, a Republican, tions’ largest facility in Ohio, on Management Agency’s Individual defeated Mayor Iriti in the Repub- a 10.5-acre tract of land in Allen and Household Program, and the lican primary, and beat Democrat • Can own or rent a home Township, was held in 2002. The agency approved more than $6 Tom Knopf for mayor of Findlay 43,200-square-foot building cost million in grants for Findlay flood in the general election in 2007. • Can work outside of the home $5.69 million. victims. Sehnert served one term, then Findlay also got a new theater The Small Business Admin- was defeated in the 2011 primary in 2005 when the Carmike 12, istration approved $8 million in by Republican Lydia Mihalik. She • Can have children or not a 12-screen multiplex theater, loans to county flood victims. went on to win the general elec- opened on Interstate Drive. In 2008, the city gave $50,000 tion, becoming the first woman to The business climate wasn’t as to the Army Corps of Engineers to be elected Findlay mayor. kind to Findlay’s Intersil Corp., start a feasibility study on ways to Transportation matters also Benefits which closed in 2002, causing control flooding of the Blanchard got the attention of residents the loss of 380 jobs. In 2005, the River, and received a $1.4 million during the period. North Central Campus of Emerg- federal grant to buy 16 flood-prone A 26.5-mile, $99 million expan- • Training ing Technologies took over the homes. sion of U.S. 30 from two to four location, which also houses Brown A number of businesses also lanes was completed in 2008. The Mackie College. formed the private, nonprofit project includes 16.2 miles of the • Monthly reimbursement for care The Findlay Kmart store Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation highway in southern Hancock located in the Findlay Village Mall Partnership, to seek an accelerated County. closed in 2003, resulting in the solution to the flooding problems Meanwhile, debates continued provided to the child loss of 79 jobs. The mall also lost in the area with the Army Corps about the intersection of Ohio 15 the Findlay Six theater in 2010. of Engineers. In particular, the and Western Avenue on the south- • Reimbursement for training completed A movie theater had been at the partnership worked to reduce the western edge of Findlay. Over the Tiffin Avenue location since the corps’ years-long process of deter- years, at least five people have 1970s, when the shopping center mining and funding solutions. died in accidents there and many • Caseworker and agency support was two plazas without a mall. Findlay and Ottawa experi- more have been seriously injured. Weather-wise, area farmers enced more flooding in 2009, In 2010, residents of the Spring • Expenses for medical and faced hard times in 2002. Rain and continued efforts to study Lake Subdivision who frequently kept them from planting their and combat major flooding in the used the intersection were disap- fields until early June. Then future. pointed by the Ohio Department phychological care provided drought crippled the corn and The corps was expected to of Transportation’s decision to soybean yields. By August, the have a plan, and costs estimates, close the Western Avenue cross- National Weather Service said for a flood-control project in 2013. ing on Ohio 15. Citing accidents • AND MOST OF ALL...A HOUSEHOLD the Findlay/Hancock County area A major fire in February 2012 and safety concerns, and following was in a “severe drought.” Some destroyed the Argyle Building, the threat of a lawsuit from one FILLED WITH FUN AND EXCITEMENT farmers said 2002 weather con- a downtown Findlay apartment Findlay resident, the state agency ditions were the worst they had building, injuring four residents decided to permanently close the experienced. and leaving dozens of others home- crossover. It was quite the opposite in less. The blaze left the four-story, The city also saw many new December 2006 when a total of 122-year-old building at 532½ S. facilities erected. about 2.7 inches of rain fell on Main St. structurally unsound, Winebrenner Theological Sem- the Findlay area, according to the leading to fears that one or more inary built a $5.8 million structure National Weather Service, send- walls could collapse. Damage to in the 900 block of North Main ing the Blanchard River and area the building and its contents was Street, adjacent to the University creeks over their banks. The river estimated at $662,000. The cause of Findlay campus, in 2003. The crested at 3.7 feet above flood of the fire could not be determined two-story, 52,100-square-foot stage on Dec. 2 in one of the worst because damage was too exten- building includes classrooms, floods in the city’s history. sive, but arson was ruled out. The offices and a 750-seat audito- Visit these fi ne Carriage House Plaza merchants... Jaqua’s Monogramming Carriage House Gifts, Jewelry & Apparel

Wolfi e’s Nuts National Cash Advance

H&R Block Best Little Hair House

CELEBRATE FINDLAY’S The Tonsorium Book Nook PAST & FUTURE at Logan’s Irish Pub Papillon Boutique Chu Smith Asian Grocery Since 2010 Jess Service Center Tidy Rides Auto Detailing Full Menu & Bar Live Irish Music Fort Findlay Coffee & Doughnut Shoppe 414 S. Main St. • LogansIrishPubFindlay.com 419-420-3602 Carriage House Plaza • 1016 Tiffi n Avenue, Findlay Hours: Sun. 10am - 11pm, Mon. - Wed. 11am - 12am, Thurs. - Sat. 11am - 2am THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL D7

FINDLAY On 200 Years of Growth & Success!!

Craig Holmes - Founder and Owner of Findlay Implement Co. We opened our doors on August 19th, 1972 with 4 employees and a commitment to the Agricultural community that we would provide quality equipment, service and parts to an industry that we take great pride in being a part of. Since then we have expanded to the Turf Care and Commercial Worksite Products industry with the same Pride and Commitment. Entering our 41st year, we would like to take this time to thank all of our past, present and future customers for their business and wish them continued success in the future!! THE COURIER D8 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

lion for a 12,682-square-foot addi- risk of failing or dropping out of tion at the main building on West school. Students attend the online 2000 Main Cross Street. The addition school from their homes. would increase the number of beds In April 2012, Cooper Tire Continued from page D6 for homeless men from 23 to 45. announced that it is partnering Beds for women would increase with the Findlay schools to build a Museum completed a $2 million from six to 20. Family units would renovation in 2002, giving the new track and field facility behind be increased from three to six. the high school. Cooper Tire said staff about double the space for The addition also would address displays and projects. The Hull it plans to “commemorate its 100- needs for a larger dining room and year anniversary in the tire indus- House was renovated, a second kitchen. story was added to the exhibit try and its heritage in the Findlay center annex, and the agricultural The Black Heritage Library community with an investment in display barn was expanded. and Multicultural Center is cel- a new, state-of-the-art sustainable Two historical homes were ebrating its 30th anniversary this track and field complex at Findlay moved to the museum campus on year. High School.” Cooper is contrib- West Sandusky Street. The 1843 A new veterans memorial at uting $600,000 toward the $1.46 Davis Home, one of the oldest Findlay’s Maple Grove Cemetery million project. was completed and dedicated on houses in Hancock County, was Hancock County voters moved from U.S. 224 East. The Memorial Day of 2003 at a cost of $225,000. renewed a 1.9-mill operating levy DeWald-Funk House on East for Blanchard Valley Center in St. Michael the Archangel Photos by RANDY ROBERTS / The Courier Street was also relocated to the 2010. The levy generates about museum. Originally located in Catholic Church completed a new FINDLAY IS KNOWN for its $8.3 million, 35,519-square-foot strong sense of cummunity $3 million annually for the center, Bascom, the house was moved to which operates the county’s pro- Findlay in 1990 by the Historic church building on Bright Road and the last decade has been in 2003. A 24-foot-tall crucifix no exception. When Hurricane grams for the developmentally Preservation Guild of Hancock disabled. County. hangs in the apse of the church. An Katrina ravaged the Gulf $8 million addition to the parish Coast in 2005, area residents Special Kids Therapy, a non- Many nonprofit agencies got a profit organization started in 2003 new home in 2005. The Findlay- school followed. The single-story organized and pitched in to to help special health care needs Hancock County Community primary school became a two- collect supplies for those Foundation purchased a former story building, which brought all displaced by the disaster children and their families, moved Kroger store on North Blanchard of the students, from preschool to (above). In 2001, an architect from its location on Lima Avenue Street. The building was reno- eighth grade, to the same campus. visited local schools to gather to Blanchard Valley Center earlier vated and became home to 19 The Hancock County Agricul- ideas to build the Fort Findlay this year. The move is part of a nonprofits. tural Service Center on County Playground at Emory Adams partnership between the two orga- Park. The playground was That same year, the assets of 140 opened in 2001. The build- nizations. The move is intended constructed over a period of the community foundation dou- ing houses the Hancock County to increase accessibility to the several days by hundreds of bled with a $25 million gift from Cooperative Extension Office, group’s playroom. local volunteers (left). the estate of Ann Arbor, Mich., the Farm Service Agency, Rural Kan Du Art Studio opened in resident Madeleine T. Schneider, a Development, Natural Resources 2011, bringing a new community Findlay native and former school- Conservation Services, Ag Credit behind Hancor’s headquarters, the at the university’s Animal Sciences 2010. This year, four bachelor’s of artists to downtown Findlay, teacher. Her gift made the local and Hancock Soil and Water Con- parcel will be used as a natural Center on U.S. 68 south of Findlay, degree programs were introduced those who are eager to show that foundation the 12th largest chari- servation offices. habitat preserve. was opened in 2009. The building in the areas of business adminis- a disability is no inability when table foundation in Ohio. Children got a new place to The university purchased the honors Dr. Beckett for conceiving tration, criminal justice, health it comes to the world of art. The Barbara Deerhake, who served play when the Fort Findlay Play- Davis Street property that had and helping to start the pre-vet- care administration and legal studio on South Main Street is as president of the community ground, a 20,000-square-foot play- been Owens Community College’s erinary program at the university studies. an extension of Blanchard Valley foundation for 21 years, retired ground, was built at Emory Adams former campus, and relocated the nearly 30 years ago. And, it’s exciting times for Industries, Hancock County’s in 2008. Park in 2001. Children had a hand college of pharmacy to the build- The Rieck Center for Habitat Findlay City Schools. Three new work habilitative program for The Findlay Family YMCA in its building as an architect vis- ing. Studies held its 20th anniversary buildings are on the rise, includ- adults with developmental dis- completed a major renovation ited local schools beforehand to A groundbreaking ceremony this spring. The center, at 13711 ing Glenwood and Donnell middle abilities. Kan Du had operated and expansion project in 2001. gather their ideas. The playground was held for the university’s Delaware Township 166, Mount schools and the new Millstream out of Blanchard Valley Center was constructed over a period of Renovations totaling about $7.8 Mazza Museum in the Virginia Blanchard, is the former site of the Career and Technology Center, since 2007. million included new heating, several days by hundreds of local B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion. Hancock County Humane Society, thanks to a 4.3-mill bond issue volunteers. There have been several nota- lighting and plumbing systems; Already a premier destination which leased the property to the that was approved by voters in ble deaths in the community since The inaugural trip of Flag City age-appropriate youth centers; for those interested in children’s center for $1 a year in 1992 when November 2009. The bond issue 2000. Honor Flight last June hosted 78 adult, youth and family locker book art, the museum launched it moved to Findlay. The property will raise $54 million and will be Findlay native Patrick W. rooms; a hot tub; indoor track; veterans who flew to Washington, a $2.2 million fundraising drive was taken over by the university matched with $19 million from Rooney, who retired as head of aerobics room and wellness center, D.C., for a one-day trip to see the in 2004 to create more room for in 2003. the Ohio School Facilities Com- Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., died along with $349,000 in Techno- World War II Memorial and other mission. its bursting-at-the-seams collec- Owens Community College’s at 67 in December 2002. Gym equipment which uses an landmarks. tion and ongoing activities. A $1 Findlay campus got a new home Washington Elementary electronic card system to person- The University of Findlay has million donation from Michael in 2005 — a $17 million campus School on Main Street was closed Ed Heminger, chairman of the alize machines for each person. made major strides over the past and Robin Gardner in December at the corner of Township 212 and in 2008 and students moved to a board of Findlay Publishing Co. The Hancock County Agency 11-plus years. The $7 million Russ 2005 pushed the museum’s cam- Bright Road. The following year, building on Broad Avenue. The and former publisher of The Cou- on Aging and AMVETS Post 21 & Peg Armstrong Sports Complex paign over the top by $200,000, the college started construction of former elementary school was rier, died in December 2011. He agreed to swap properties in 2009. was built in 2003 on land adjacent thereby ensuring the construction a 26,641-square-foot, $4.2 million then auctioned and purchased by was 85. Heminger represented The Senior Center moved to the to the former Foodtown store on of the 8,000-square-foot addition Community Education and Well- the Church of the Living God for the third of five generations of his former post home on East Melrose North Blanchard Street. The com- along with additional fringes, such ness Center. $152,500. family to publish or work at The Avenue, and the AMVETS moved plex includes two practice football as the creation of an outdoor chil- Brown Mackie College, for- Findlay and Hancock County Courier. to the former Senior Center on fields, a softball complex, baseball dren’s reading garden with sculp- merly Southern Ohio College, schools entered the world of the Byron Boutwell, who served West Trenton Avenue. The center diamonds, an outdoor track, and tures. The addition was dedicated moved to its new home on Fostoria virtual classroom by contracting as Hancock County sheriff for also got a new ability-appropriate several tennis courts. in May 2007. Avenue, the site of the former RCA with Tri-Rivers Educational Com- 16 years starting in 1981, died in fitness center, thanks to the Han- In 2004, a nearly 30-acre tract The university observed its factory, in 2007. A 26,000-square- puter Association to provide online September 2009 at the age of 82. cock Leadership Class of 2009. of land was donated to the uni- 175th anniversary that same year. foot renovation, of which 18,000 curriculum for the Findlay Digital The City Mission of Findlay is versity by Findlay’s Hancor Inc. The Dr. C. Richard Beckett square feet represented an expan- Academy. The online school is for Wolf: 419-427-8419 currently seeking to raise $2.7 mil- Located on the city’s southern end Animal Science Building, located sion at the site, was completed in high school students who are at [email protected]

)ODJ&LW\0RUQLQJ5RWDU\VD\V ³+DSS\%LFHQWHQQLDO)LQGOD\´ Pack your bags ...

,WKDVEHHQRXUSOHDVXUHWREHLQYROYHG For many, the challenges LQWKHFHOHEUDWLRQV of caring for a loved one are part of daily life and .KULVWD%HFNPDQQ $DURQ5RXVK taking a vacation may seem &KULVWLQD%ODNOH\ *DU\6FKXOW] impossible. Getting help is 'RQ%OHGVRH %UDG6PLWK essential for your health, and 0DWW%UXVNRWWHU 1LFN6SHHU -HDQQLQH&ODUN -HII6WUDWWRQ your resilience is critical for .DUL)DXONQHU 6KDQH6WHZDUW your loved one. %HWV\+DFNZRUWK 'HQLVH7KRPDV /DUU\+DOWHUV -RKQ8UEDQNVL Relax. Let The Heritage help! $O+DWFK 5DQG\9DQ'\QH 6X]L+HDO\ %HWK:DGGHOO /HH+LWFKLQJV -RKQ:KLWVRQ We offer Adult Day Care 0DWW.OHLQ &DWK\=HOOQHU 6WHYH/HKWRPDD and Respite stays &KDUOHV/LJKWQHU for a healthier you. 'DQ0DFLHMHZVNL 'LRQQH1HXEDXHU 1HLO1RUKHLP Call us today to book your &KULVWLH5DQ]DX loved one’s stay and enjoy a *OHQQ5HWWLJ )LQGOD\)ODJ&LW\ worry free vacation for you 3KLOLS5RRQH\ and for your loved one! 7DPHUD5RRQH\ 0RUQLQJ5RWDU\ 419-424-1808 The Heritage also offers: 2820 Greenacre Dr. t
"TTJTUFE
-JWJOH Findlay, OH 45840 t
4IPSUUFSN
SFIBC theheritagehc.com t
-POHUFSN
SFIBC t
4QFDJBMJ[FE
.FNPSZ
$BSF t
4LJMMFE
OVSTJOH ... not your worries! t
0VUQBUJFOU
5IFSBQZ t
3FTQJUF
$BSF
t
"EVMU
%BZ
4FSWJDFT

Coming Summer 2012 - Memory Care Services for KWWSÀDJFLW\PRUQLQJURWDU\RUJ :HGQHVGD\VDWDPDWWKH)LQGOD\&RXQWU\FOXE Medicare and Medicaid %HRXUJXHVW THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL D9 Northwest Ohio Railroad Sports: Peg Kirk Bell best of the best Preservation, Inc. 11600 County Rd. 99 • I-75 #161 By DAVE HANNEMAN go out and do by myself. in 1950. Sun., June 17th • 1-4pm STAFF WRITER “But it was such a challenge. It Joining Bell in efforts to pro- In her unique, pioneering way, was frustrating because for three mote women’s golf was Babe Did- Fathers Ride Free! years I played all these other rikson Zaharias, a three-time U.S. Peg Kirk Bell knocked the skirts rd right out of women’s sports. sports and was one of the best Women’s Open champion. Sat., June 23 • 12-4pm And in the process she epito- athletes in the school. “When she turned pro, she Trains Tour! mized, in Findlay at first, then on a “Fortunately, Leonard Sch- wanted to compete in tourna- much grander scale, the trend that mutte (former Findlay Country ments. But there weren’t any Sun., July 1st • 1-4pm saw the emergence of women’s Club pro) took an interest in me, around,” Bell said. “So Babe got a athletics overall. I think because I was strong for manager and she made some con- B&O Caboose Tour “Women’s golf (results) used a girl. And with his help, I got tacts. Then she started re cruiting Summer Hours: to be on the society page,” Bell better.” some of the top amateur golfers said during a return to Find lay After high school, Bell enrolled and that’s how the tour started.” 5-8pm Sat & 1-4pm Sun some years back. “I guess it was at Rollins College in Florida. The Bell did more than hit the links, considered more of a social gather- school didn’t have a women’s golf however. ing than a sport. team, but that didn’t keep Bell In 1953 she and her husband “But when I won the district from working on her game. Warren “Bullet” Bell bought the tournament, Link Groves (former “I’d go to class in the morning, Pine Needles Golf Course in Courier sports editor) put me on then head for the club and tee off Southern Pines, N.C., and over the the sports page. And I loved being with the guys in the afternoon,” years developed it into one of the on the sports page with all the she said. “I played because I loved most respected teach ing facilities Coming again this fall! baseball and football players. I the game, and I al ways played with in the country. “Tracks to the Past” the guys. I liked to be around men The tomboy had definitely guess I was just a tomboy.” Pumpkin Train Tomboy then. because they were competitive. grown up. Now Bell is a renowned sports “Women weren’t supposed “Golf is a great game. It’s tak en Train of Terror & figure. be very competitive back then. me around the world,” Bell said. Haunted Engine House As a young girl growing up in Women weren’t supposed to do “... At times I think I’m too old Findlay in the 1930s, Bell faced a sports and golf was more of a for this. But golf doesn’t give you a North Pole Express gender dilemma. She was an out- so cial thing; you’d play bridge, chance to retire. It’s amazing what 10 years of fun, educational standing athlete, but as a female golf, then do lunch.” sports has done for me.” & affordable programs. she had few opportunities to excel. Golf proved to be the perfect And, conversely, what Bell has Looking toward a long future Bell and the Quinlan boys and vehicle for Bell to blend her ath- done for sports. here in Findlay- some of the neighborhood kids letic ability and her competitive Happy Bicentennial! formed their own athletic teams. nature. And with outstanding Hanneman: 419-427-8408 www.nworrp.org or 419-721-1175 They called themselves the Hurd results. [email protected] Ad sponsored by Russell Electric Co. Avenue Red Caps and challenged A three-time Ohio Amateur all comers in baseball, football, champion, Bell also won titles in whatever. the North-South Amateur, Inter- Since “We played ball on Wickham’s national Four-Ball, Everglades 1949... lot,” Bell said. Provided to The Courier Two-Ball, Palm Beach Amateur, “But Wickham’s lot was down PEG KIRK BELL, who grew up in Findlay, became one of the Titleholders and Eastern Ama- by Cooper, where my dad worked. pioneers, and the giants, in the world of women’s professional golf, teur. Bell was a member of the And I don’t think he wanted people as well as one of the most respected teaching professionals in the 1950 Curtis Cup team and a year looking out the window and seeing sport. later took part in the Weather vane his daughter out there playing ball Team competition, the first LPGA with the boys. But the new sport did not come Findlay to take part in the annual event. “So my dad bought me a set easily to Bell, a natural athlete. Julie Cole Charity Golf Tourna- “My goal in golf was always of golf clubs. It did get me off the “Golf drove me crazy because it ment. to win the National Amateur and baseball field, so he was thrilled was one thing I just could not do,” “I grew up playing team sports. make the United States Curtis Cup by that.” Bell said during one of her visits to Golf was the only sport I could just team,” said Bell, who turned pro Three generations proudly serving Findlay for 63 years and counting!

Bell’s career in brief 217 Broadway • Findlay Phone 419-422-7732 The highlights of Peg Kirk Bell’s career in Weathervane Team, the first professional orga- the top five outstanding women teachers in golf: nization for women golfers. golf; named to the North Carolina Sports Hall • 1947-48-49 — Wins three consecutive • 1953 — Peg and husband Warren “Bullet” of Fame. Ohio Amateur championships; also teams with Bell purchase Pine Needles (N.C.) Resort. • 1989 — Receives LPGA Ellen Griffin Babe Zaharias to win the Hollywood Four-Ball • 1961 — Named Ladies Professional Golf Award, signifying excellence in teaching the Maralube Express tournament. Association (LPGA) Teacher of the Year. fundamentals of the game of golf. • 1990 — Receives Bobby Jones Award, • 1949 — Wins the North-South Women’s • 1966 — Writes and publishes a book: “A Amateur and the Au gusta Titleholders Tourna- the highest honor given by the USGA for dis- Women’s Way To Bet ter Golf.” tinguished sportsmanship in the game of golf. ment, and finishes second in a playoff to Helen • 1981 — Named LPGA Golf Professional Sigel in Women’s Western Open. of the Year; receives National Golf Foundation’s NOTE: Bell is also the only woman golfer • 1950 — Wins the Eastern Amateur cham- Joe Graffis Award, presented to an individual to compete in the four inaugural national pionship, runner-up to Zaharias in Women’s who demonstrates outstanding service and events for female golfers — the first National Western Open, and is selected to compete on dedication to the educational advancement in Intercollegiate Golf Tournament (1940); the the United States Golf Association (USGA) golf. first National LPGA Tournament; the first Curtis Cup Team; turns professsional later in • 1980-89 — Named LPGA Master Profes- U.S. Women’s Open; and the first LPGA the year. sional; Golf Digest also names Bell one of the Seniors Teaching Division Tournament • 1951 — Picked to be a member of the six most influential women in golf and one of (which she won by 8 strokes). Over 70 Years Findlay’s top sports fi gures of Service

The Courier’s Sports Depart- performer in 1960s ... Un officially Peg Kirk Bell and 218 as a senior when the Tro- ment undertook the task of select- tied world record in 220-yard jans posted back-to-back 9-1 sea- Received Bobby Jones Award Owner/Operator Since 2008 ing the area’s top 100 sports dash with a time of 20.0 in 1962 (1990), the highest honor given sons ... Also had more than 3,000 figures of the 20th century in on cinders at Donnell Stadium ... by the USGA for Dis tinguished yards, handling kickoffs, punting, 1999. In 1963, unofficially tied world Sportsmanship in the game of 2410 N. Main St. Findlay • 419-425-LUBE Hundreds of nominations were record in 100-yard dash of 9.4 at golf ... Received LPGA Ellen See TOP, Page D10 processed. Hundreds of names Ferris State (Mich.) University Griffin Award (1989) signify- were considered. Hundreds of ... During collegiate career, com- ing excellence in teaching the careers were researched. peted in prestigious Penn Relays, fundamentals of golf ... Only The initial list included the NAIA Track & Field Champi- woman golfer to compete in the renowned names like Peg Kirk onships and ran against Bob Hay- four inaugural national events Bell, Ray Harroun, William Els- es, Homer Jones and Edward for female golfers — National worth “Dummy” Hoy, “Tot” Press- Roberts, who finished 1-2-3 in Intercollegiate Golf Tournament nell. the Olympic sprint finals in Tokyo (1940), National LPGA Tourna- Now, as Findlay celebrates its (1964) ... Set NFL record with ment, U.S. Women’s Open, and bicentennial, the Courier Sports Denver Broncos with 47 kickoff LPGA Seniors Teaching Division Department pared down the origi- returns during the 1964 season. Tournament (which she won by 8 nal list to those who are meant to strokes) ... 3-time Ohio Amateur represent sports figures of all ages Warren ‘Bullet’ Bell champion (1947-48-49) ... Runner- and eras, all sports and activities. up to Babe Zaharias in Women’s It is a cross-section of the people Had 3-year bas ketball contract Western Open and selected for who have excelled not only on the with Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne USGA Curtis Cup team in 1950 field of play, but in the realm of ... Considered a ball-handling ... Turned pro in 1951 ... Named We are proud to be a part athletics overall. wizard during high school career LPGA Teacher of the Year (1961) This is our list, in alphabetical ... 3-time all-Ohio bas ketball ... Named LPGA Golf Professional of the Findlay community order. player (1938-40) at Findlay High of the Year (1981). and helped lead Bachman-coached and have enjoyed serving teams to state tour ney each sea son up sweet treats and fond Mark Ammons ... Earned a scholarship to Ohio Dick Beltz 1968 Findlay High graduate ... State and played on fresh man Hailed as the great est all-pur- memories to generations Drafted by Philadelphia in 1973 team (1940-41) before entering pose triple-threat run ning back of customers for the past and remained with the Phillies U.S. Army ... Later designed and in Findlay High football history through early 1975 before entering helped build Pine Needles Golf ... FHS’s all-time leading scorer seventy five years. the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm sys- Resort in Southern Pines, N.C., in football with 491 points (1929- tems ... first-team all-Mid-Ameri- with his wife, Peg Kirk Bell. 1931) ... Had 205 points as a junior can Conference baseball player at Bowling Green State University ... MAC Player of the Year in 1972 when Falcons won the conference title and were ranked 13th nation- Congratulations Findlay on Your Bicentennial! ally ... Helped lead Findlay High to first Buckeye Conference baseball title in 1968 ... Coached basketball and baseball at Arcadia. Carl Bachman ALPINE Cygnet native ... earned 13 let- SINK’S FLOWER SHOP ters at Bowling Green State Uni- versity ... posted a 477-126 record and Greenhouse during 43-year high school basket- FLOWER GALLERY ball coaching career, including 34 years at Findlay High ... Coached 1948 Trojans to state champion- 404 Second St. 2700 N. Main St. ship with 27-0 record ... Had five unde feated regular seasons at Findlay, OH Findlay, OH Findlay ... Originated the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches 419-422-7722 419-423-7353 Association and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1965. Siblings Ruth Sink and Francis Sink O’Dell Barry Toledo native ... Standout 86 YEARS OF QUALITY FLOWERS & QUALITY SERVICE Findlay College track and football THE COURIER D10 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

Raven Clay for two, booted a field goal and four extra points against Lima Detroit native ... Won 2012 Top Central Catholic ... Ran for nearly NCAA Division II indoor 60-meter 400 yards against Bucyrus. Continued from page D9 hurdles national championship in a University of Findlay-record 8.18 PATs and as a passer ... Ohio State seconds ... Finished as runnerup in Jeffrey Fout running back in mid-1930s. 100-meter hurdles at 2012 Divi- Findlay native ... Fixture atop sion II outdoor championships harness racing world from 1977- Micki Bish ... 4-time indoor All-American 2005 at Scioto Downs, Lebanon and 4-time GLIAC indoor cham- Raceway, Raceway Park ... Won Liberty-Benton graduate ... pion, winning 60 hurdles, 200 4,308 of 27,206 career starts, fin- Never lost an event at a Blanchard and 1,600 relay in 2010-11 ... UF ished in top three 11,801 times Valley Conference track meet ... indoor record-holder in 60 (7:33) ... Trained and drove Golly Goo, Was 1984 Class A state cross and 300 (40.01) ... 4-time outdoor winner of 8 of 16 starts as a 3-year- country champion as a fresh- All-American (2009-11) ... named old in 1994, 8 of 15 as a 4-year- man ... Team was also the 1984 GLIAC Athlete of Meet at indoor old ... Trainer and driver of Dawn team champion ... In her remain- and outdoor championships ... Q, winner of 11 of 27 starts over ing three years of cross country named GLIAC indoor and outdoor 2-year period ... 14-time winner of finished second, third and fourth freshman of the year in 2008-09. Ohio Sires Stakes championship ... Was 1986 state 3,200-meter ... past winner of U.S. Harness champ and won the 1988 state Julie Cole Writers Association Meritorious 1,600 and 3,200 runs. Award for two decades of contribu- Women’s professional golfer ... tions to racing. Finished 47th on the LPGA Tour’s Jeff Bixler final money list in 1987 ... 1996 Three-year letterman at East- Women’s U.S. Open qualifier ... Jim Givens ern Michigan ... Was the Eagles’ Honored as LPGA‘s “Teacher of Shortstop at Kent State from leading tackler, MVP and captain the Year” in 1995 for the Southeast 1986-91 ... drafted in 30th round in 1975 ... Had 15 career intercep- section ... Appeared on the July/ by Tigers ... First-team all-MAC tions ... Held EMU career tackle August cover of Golf for Women as a junior, 2nd team as senior ... record for 21 years (1975-1996) ... magazine ... Namesake of annual First team all-NCAA Regional as As wide receiver at Findlay High, Julie Cole Charity Golf Tourna- a senior ... Was third on all-time was selected sec ond-team all-Ohio ment held at Findlay Country MAC hit list above Ohio Univer- and Buckeye Conference first Club ... Currently the director of sity’s Mike Schmidt ... At one team in 1970 and was first-team instruction at Dana Rader Golf time, held 13 Kent State school all-Ohio as a defensive back in 71. School in Charlotte, N.C. records ... played for the Toledo Mud Hens from 1993-95 ... Givens Kirby Blackley Aaron Craft currently serves as the associate athletic director at the University Cincinnati native ... 2008 All-Ohio quarterback for of Findlay. NCAA Division II Outdoor Track Liberty-Benton (2008 & 2009), and Field Athlete of the Year ... leading Eagles to Division V state 2008 Division II outdoor long runnerup finish in 2009 ... Ohio’s Harry Gonso jump and 100-meter hurdles cham- Division III Player of the Year in Ran for 1,000 yards in a season Since 1887, we have proudly been a part of pion ... 2007-2008 United States basketball (2010) after averag- and had 152 points as quarterback Findlay’s growth and prosperity. Track and Field and Cross Coun- ing 26.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and at Findlay High ... Set Indiana try Coaches Association Female 6.5 assists in leading L-B to 20-0 University’s total offense and Track Athlete of the Year ... 9-time record and a No.1 Associated TD passing records by end of his From Hancock Brick & Tile Company to Hancor, Inc. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath- Press Division III poll ... L-B went junior season ... Led Hoosiers to letic Conference outdoor titlist 79-1 in regular season with Craft its lone Rose Bowl appearance in to Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. – the years have ... Three-time Division II indoor in the starting lineup ... Signed a 1968 ... Finished third in voting for gone by, our name has changed, but our commitment All-American ... Midwest Region national letter of intent to Ohio the Heisman Trophy ... Received Athlete of the Year, GLIAC Indoor State ... Named to Big Ten all- law degree from Indiana ... Served to the community still remains. Track MVP and NCAA Top VIII freshman team and voted the Big as Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Award winner in 2008. Ten Sixth Player of the Year as a senior counsel and chief of staff We take this opportunity to thank the Findlay freshman ... Took over the starting during 2005 and 2006 ... Cur- Nelson Bolden point guard spot as as sophomore rently a partner at Ice Miller LLP community and our dedicated employees and their and averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 steals in Indianapolis. Toledo native ... Two-time and 4.6 assists as OSU went 31-8 families for 125 years of support and partnership. NAIA Divi sion II All-American and reached NCAA Final Four ... running back for Findlay Col- Voted Big Ten Defensive Player of A.J. Granger lege, rushing for 1,324 yards in the Year in 2011-12. Member of two Liberty-Benton 1979 and 1,079 in 1980 ... 4-year state title teams in 1995 ... Eagles starter, helping the Oilers to NAIA Caitie Craft won the Division IV basketball national title in 1979 after a run- crown and the Division III track ner-up finish in 1978 ... 3-year 2011-2012 Associated Press state championship ... 1996 state all-district and all-conference Division III all-Ohio First Team discus champion ... NCAA Divi- performer ... All-time UF lead- girls basketball selection for sion I Final Four participant as ing rusher, piling up 4,009 yards Liberty-Benton ... Most Valuable junior in 1999 and starter during ... A bruising runner at 6-foot-3, Player during the Eagles’ run to Michigan State University’s drive 225 pounds and very durable, he the 2010 Division III state tour- to 1999-2000 national champion- nament championship ... 2011 carried the ball an unbelievable ship ... Played professional bas- © 2012 ADS, Inc. 401 Olive Street, Findlay, OH 45840 www.ads-pipe.com school-record 958 times ... Holds co-Blanchard Valley Conference ketball in Europe for two years ... UF career marks for touchdowns Player of the Year ... Averaged 21.1 Currently an account director at scored (63) and to tal points (378) points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists The Right Thing. ... Had free agent tryout with Pitts- and 5.4 steals during her senior burgh Steelers. season in 2011-12 at Liberty-Ben- ton ... Continuing her career at Antonia Guerra Ohio State in 2012-2013. Wrestled in a national champi- Josh Bostic onship match in three of his four Columbus ... 2008-2009 Tyler Curlis seasons at University of Findlay, National Association of Basketball winning the NCAA Division II Coaches Division II Player of the Umpire in New York-Penn 149-pound weight class at Koehler Whitson Properties Year as University of Findlay cap- League during the 2010, 2011 Center when UF hosted the 2006 tured NCAA Division II national and 2012 seasons ... Umpired in championships ... Won a second men’s basketball championship ... the Arizona Fall League in 2010 title in 2007 ... Finished his career NABC D-II first-team All-Amer- ... Played baseball at Wittenburg as a 4-time All-American and tied salutes ican 2007-08, 2008-09 ... 2008- University in 2005 ... Findlay High for the most career wins at UF 2009 GLIAC Player of the Year letterman in football, hockey and with 123. ... Two-time first team all-GLIAC baseball ... Earned all-Ohio honors as a wide receiver, catching 18 ... 8th all time on UF scoring list Ray Harroun Findlay - Flag City USA (1,705 points); 2nd all time in passes in a game vs. Massillon rebounding (757) ... Played pro- Washington (2003), a season Drove a Marmon Wasp, No. fessionally in Japan and Europe. record 94 in 2003 and a FHS 32, to victory in the first India- record 164 in his career (2001-03) napolis 500 in 1911, winning on her ... Scored winning run as Findlay $14,250 ... “Little Professor” was Ken Brooks American Legion baseball team the only driver in the 40-car field 1972 Ohio Class AAA Player of captured 2002 state champion- not accompanied by a mechanic ... the Year in basketball and fourth- ship ... Batted .348 and led 2002 Introduced the rear-view mirror ... 200th Birthday! leading scorer (933 points) in Legion team in stolen bases (17) Obtained 11 patents as an engi- Find lay High histo ry ... Catcher and walks (53) ... also pitched for neer. on Findlay High’s 1971 Ohio state state championship Legion team, baseball championship team ... going 9-2 with 3.02 ERA and 76 Fred Hirsimaki Member of 1972 American Legion strikeouts. baseball team which advanced to Great high school athlete at Conneaut’s Rowe High School World Series ... Played colle giately Del Drake at Eastern Michigan University ... and has been a highly-successful Served as Pandora-Gilboa girls Signed by Detroit Tigers in senior Olympian ... Won a gold bas ketball coach for 21 seasons, 1903 and played three seasons in medal (70-74 age group) at the posting a 267-191 record. major leagues ... In 1911, played 1994 International Decathlon in the Detroit outfield next to Championships in Sheffield, Eng- Hall of Famers Ty Cobb and Sam land ... Won gold in the 1991 U.S. Jerry Carder Crawford, batting .279 with 9 National Seniors Sports Classic Delphos ... Third-team NAIA triples and 20 steals in 91 games ... Numerous time all-American 941 Interstate Drive all-American in basketball at Find- ... hit .301 in 11-year minor league in Master’s track and field ... set lay College in 1968 ... 3-time all- career ... Signed Findlay’s Forest an M80 decathlon world record by I-75 & US 224 Exit 159 NAIA District 22 selection ... No.3 “Tot” Pressnell to pro contract as scoring 6,802 points in July 2005 all-time UF scorer (1,953 points) a major league scout. ... Inducted into Dayton/Miami 419-420-1776 ... Member of 1966-67 Findlay Valley Senior Olympics Hall of Fame in 2005 ... Still competes in team that played in the NAIA Dale Edie 85-over division. www.hiexpress.com/findlayoh national tournament ... Played on Hancock County’s first Special four straight Findlay teams that Olympic gold medalist ... Won his advanced to the district playoffs gold medal at the 1995 games with Jim Houdeshell ... Retired from University of a victory in the 25-meter back- Has had 62-year association Toledo as college administrator ... stroke ... Competed in numerous with Findlay College/University Inducted into University of Find- sports events for Blanchard Valley of Findlay ... 30-year FC basketball lay Hall of Fame (1982), Hancock Center. coach (430-312) ... had 16 teams Sports Hall of Fame (1985) and in District 22 playoffs ... NAIA NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame in Gene Fekete Coaches Hall of Fame inductee 2007. ... also coached track, cross coun- Finished eighth in 1942 Heis- try, baseball and football as well man Trophy voting as first Ohio Jim Carder as serving as athletics director ... State player ever considered for Member of numerous NAIA and Delphos ... Played alongside his the honor, during a sophomore other national sports organization brother, Jerry, for four seasons at season on the national champion- committees ... Serves as a special Findlay College ... 2-time NAIA ship Buckeyes’ team under leg- assistant to the president, and 903 Interstate Drive all-American ... 4-time all-NAIA endary coach Paul Brown ... Set development officer at UF. OSU record for longest run from district 22 selection ... No. 2 all- scrimmage, 89 yards against Pitt I-75 & US 224 Exit 159 time UF scorer (2,079 points) ...... finished as Big Ten’s leading Bo Hurley Member of 1966-67 Findlay team rusher (910 yards, 182 carries) Selected as first NAIA Rawl- 419-422-4200 that played in the NAIA national in 1942 and set OSU mark of 92 ings Player of the Year in 1997 tournament ... Spent 25 years as points ... OSU career cut short after leading UF to 1995 and 1997 www.countryinns.com/findlayoh a football, basketball, baseball, by World War II, but signed with NAIA national titles ... Ran 1997 cross country and golf coach at Cleveland Browns in 1945 ... Oilers’ offense to an NAIA-leading Lima Central Catholic ... Spent 11 Inducted into OSU Hall of Fame 45.9 points a game ... Holds 10 UF Both hotels owned and operated years as a Lima Junior Golf Asso- in 1998 ... Head basketball coach offensive records, including 4,395 ciation administrator ... Inducted at Northern Illinois (1948-49) yards passing and 57 touchdowns by Whitson Properties into UF Hall of Fame (1982), Han- and assistant OSU football coach in career ... 3-time NAIA Scholar cock Sports Hall of Fame (1985) (1949-59) ... All-state in football Athlete and 1997 GTE Academic and NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame and basketball at Findlay High ... in 2007. Ran for two touchdowns, threw See TOP, Page D11 THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL D11

father, Dick Kortokrax, at Kalida coach ... Has coached four IHSA champions ... Also 22-year coach ... Holds UF all-time men’s bas- high-point riders ... An instructor of L-B boys cross country teams. Top ketball scoring (2,575 points) in the UF Western equestrian pro- and rebounding records (1,242), gram since 1977. Continued from page D10 season scoring record with 880 Ben Roethlisberger points in 1985-86 ... Was 545 of Steve Morehead Two-time Super Bowl-winning All-American ... Currently resides 751 shooting from the free throw quarterback for the Pittsburgh in Centerville. line for career ... Kortokrax was Longtime professional motor- Steelers ... Ohio’s Division I co- Your One-Stop Bicycle Shop a first-team NAIA All-American cycle driver who started career in Offensive Player of the Year in Josh Huston and the District 22 Player of the 1972 ... The “Findlay Flyer” has 1999 at Findlay High when he For Over 30 Years! over 20 career wins, 135 Top 5 completed 309 of 467 passes Two-time all-Ohio placekicker Year in 1987 when he scored 22 and 234 Top 10 finishes on the (66.2 percent) for 4,041 yards ... Set Findlay High record in 2002 points per game during his senior AMA’s Grand National Circuit ... & 56 TDs, both state records at 125 West Sandusky St., Findlay • 419-423-2729 with nine field goals ... Redshirted season ... Averaged 30 points per Best season-long series finish was that time and among the top five at Ohio State in 2000 ... After game as a junior, earning second- fourth, which he accomplished in records nationally ... led Findlay to www.FindlayBikeShop.com being a backup to Mike Nugent team All-American and District 22 1993, ’89, ’88 and ’79 ... In 1998, a Great Lakes League champion- (2003 & 2004), he was granted Player of the Year laurels ... Twice he won the Las Vegas Grand ship (6-0), a 10-2 overall record a sixth year of eligibility on a scored over 50 points in a game ... National Half-mile race and took and the second round of the Divi- medical redshirt and hit 22 of 28 Inducted into NAIA Hall of Fame four additional podium finishes sion I playoffs ... Had record-set- field goals and 44 of 45 PATs for in 2009 ... Currently the head boys in his 25th year on the circuit ... ting career at Miami of Ohio ... 110 points in 2005 ... Tied OSU basketball coach at Bishop Hartley Ranked in the top 10 in 15 seasons Finished ninth in Heisman Trophy record with five field goals against High School in Columbus where ... Inducted into the AMA Motor- balloting ... Drafted 11th overall Texas ... Was undrafted in 2006, he was named Division II Coach cycle Hall of Fame in 2004 ... In by the Steelers in 2004 draft ... but signed with Chicago Bears of the Year in 2011. 2000 he accepted a job as an opera- As a rookie, became starter when ... Also spent time with the Las Financial security –I tions manager for the AMA Grand injuries sidelined Tommy Maddox Vegas Gladiators (2006-07), New Ted Kramer National Championship Series. and Charlie Batch ... Won first can help you achieve it. York Giants (2007 & 2008) and Set Findlay High hockey 14 starts, doubling the existing MaryAgent W. Simmons, name FIC Cincinnati Bengals (2007). Let’s talk. Financial(State) Representative Lic. (No.) records as a freshman in 1984 Tiajuana Newell record for a rookie QB ... Voted 1431 AddressE. Main Cross St. with 61 goals and 30 assists in 25 NFL Rookie of the Year in 2004 Findlay,City, OH State Cleveland native ... Standout ACH0312 419-422-9106Phone Amanda Hyde games ... Played two years with when he led the Steelers to the [email protected] sprinter and hurdler at University 2009-2010 Associated Press Little Caesars in the AAA Michi- AFC championship game ... Quar- gan Hockey League ... Was named of Findlay ... 12-time NAIA all- terbacked Pittsburgh to a 21-10 Division III first team all-Ohio American ... Won indoor 60-yard and Northwest District Player rookie of the year in the Metro win over Seattle in Super Bowl Toronto Junior Hockey League as hurdles in 1990 and was four-time XL, threw a game-winning TD of the Year in girls basketball as All-American in the event ... Also U Liberty-Benton captured the 2010 a senior at St. Michael’s School ... pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 RAT LAT Still holds Iron Man record at Uni- 3-time outdoor 100-meter hurdles seconds left to beat Arizona 27-23 G IO Division III state championship All-American ... Won 11 NAIA N N and completed a 27-0 season ... versity of Michigan for 173 games in Super Bowl XLIII, and played in O S played with 70 goals and 70 assists District championships, includ- Super Bowl in 2011, a 31-25 loss C 3-time Blanchard Valley Confer- ing five in 1991 ... Still holds four FINDLAY! ence Player of the Year ... Aver- ... Signed with Los Angeles Kings, to Green Bay. skated with Wayne Gretzky and UF records ... Inducted into NAIA aged 9.4 points per game in 25 Hall of Fame in 1998. 200 YEARS OF SUCCESS! games as a sophomore at Indiana played for Phoenix of the Interna- Carlee Roethlisberger University-Purdue University Fort tional Hockey League ... Member Wayne in 2011-2012. of Findlay High’s 1984 state cham- Ron Niekamp Second-team all-Ohio in bas- pionship golf team ... Inducted into ketball as a sophomore, first-team Thank You To All St. Henry native ... NABC Divi- as a junior and Ohio’s Division I Hancock Sports Hall of Fame in sion II and D-II Bulletin Coach of Nathan Hyde 2006 ... Currently an attorney with Player of the Year as a senior at Of Our Loyal Customers the Year in 2008-2009 after guid- Findlay High when she led Trojans Liberty-Benton graduate... Hammond Kennedy Whitman & ing UF men’s basketball team to For 5 Great Years! NCAA Division II first-team All- Co. in Indianapolis. to their only state tournament the NCAA Division II national appearance ... FHS career scoring American 2010-2011 at UF ... title and a 36-0 season ... 5-time Two-time first-team NABC Mid- leader (1,625 points) ... All-Ohio in the 1123 Trenton Ave. Luke Kraus Great Lakes Intercollegiate Ath- (By The New Wal-Mart) west Region selection ... Two-time basketball and volleyball, Roethlis- First and only player in Find- letic Conference Coach of the Year Landing Pad first-team all-Great Lakes Intercol- ... Retired in 2010-11 after 26-year (419) 425-0250 lay High boys basketball history See TOP, Page D12 Family Pizzeria & Sports Pub legiate Athletic Conference pick ... career at UF with a 598-185 career 12th all time in UF scoring (1,528 to start all four years as Trojans posted a 59-29 record, won three record, logging 20, 20-win sea- points) ... Ranks second in 3-point- sons, 197-57 GLIAC record with ers made for a career with 248. league titles and made the Divi- sion I regional finals in 2006-07 10 South Division regular-season ... Never missed a start in 88 and five GLIAC tournament titles, Mike Iriti consecutive games ... FHS boys compiling a 353-46 home court record ... Inducted into Miami Set three Findlay High receiv- basketball career leader in points (1,501), free throws (368) and (Ohio) University Hall of Fame ing records and one state standard in 2004. when he caught 101 passes for field goals (497) and tied for top 1,411 yards and 21 TDs during spot in 3-pointers (139) ... 3-time 1999 season ... His 21 TDs remain Greater Buckeye Conference Weldy Olson the eighth highest single-season Player of the Year; first-team all- Marquette, Mich. native ... total in Ohio prep history; his 101 Ohio in 2009. Former manager of the Hancock receptions are 12th in the state Recreation Center ... Member of records books and his 1,411 yards Jay Liles 1960 United States gold medal- are 31st. Coached back-to-back NAIA winning Olympic hockey team, wrestling titles at Montana- the 1956 Olympics silver medal Kyle Johann Northern with two NAIA Coach team, and the 1957, ’58 & ’59 U.S. of the Year awards; coached five national teams ... Four-year varsity Career passing leader (5,468 letterman at Michigan State Uni- yards, 43 TDs) in Findlay High champions and 39 all-Americans ... Coached one state champion versity ... Set career scoring marks history, during three years as a in 92 games with the Spartans: 71 starter ... Completed 244 of 374 and 13 conference champions at Arcadia ... Was MAC runner-up goals, 54 assists ... Inducted into passes (just 5 interceptions) for Michigan Amateur Sports Hall 3,009 yards and 29 TDs and and national qualifier (1978-79) and the winningest wrestler at of Fame (’74), Upper Peninsula rushed for almost 600 yards in Sports Hall of Fame (’84), U.S. 2002 when Findlay set a school BGSU from (1976-79) ... Was Ohio AAU freestyle champion three Olympic Amateur Hockey Asso- record for points in a season ciation 50 Year Dream Team. (570) and advanced farther than times, a Junior World Freestyle any FHS football team in history, placer twice and U.S. Wrestling going 12-2 and reaching the Divi- Federation state champ twice ... John Poff sion I state semifinals. Recently retired from the head First baseman and outfielder coaching position at South Dakota with Philadelphia Phillies (1979) State University where he spent Eddie Kawolics and Milwaukee Brewers (1980) ... the past 19 years and left as the hit .218 with 19 hits (1 HR) in 87 Scranton, Pa. ... considered to winningest coach (148-143-5) in career at-bats ... Wrote for Elysian be Findlay’s foremost kegler ... SDSU history. Fields Quarterly Baseball Review Inducted into American Bowling in the early 2000s ... Findlay High Congress Hall of Fame in 1968 ... Waylon Lowe standout carried an 18-game hit- Three times rolled a 1,900-plus ting streak into the 1970 state high all-events total, boasting a string Became University of Findlay’s school tournament and starred as of eight straight 1,800s through first NCAA Division II national an outfielder/first baseman at 1948 that tied an existing record ... wrestling champion when as a Duke (.257 career batting aver- Averaged 196 pins for 34 straight sophomore he won the 149-pound age), becoming a co-captain and ABC tournaments ... Best 3-game class at the 2002 national finals MVP in 1973 and a two-time all- series was an 803 ... Coached 1967 ... He added two more cham- Atlantic Coast Conference player United States ABC team, which pionships, and was named the ... Starred on the American Legion swept the men’s titles at the 5th outstanding wrestler at the 2004 baseball teams. World Championships in Mexico. Division II finals ... Finished his career as a 4-time All-American and accumulated 112 career wins. Forest ‘Tot’ Presnell Jim Kennedy Pitcher with the Brooklyn Four-year All-American diver Joe Marsh Jr. Dodgers in 1938-40 and the at the University of Tennessee ... Chicago Cubs from 1941-42 ... Won 1976 NCAA 1-meter diving The World Driving harness Recorded 157 strikeouts with title ... Was a seven-time South- racing champion in 1974 ... Chosen 134 walks ... Lockered next to eastern Conference champion ... as the 1973 Man of the Year by Babe Ruth during 1938 season Won four AAU national titles and Harness Horseman International when Babe was a Dodgers’ coach 1977 Swedish Cup ... Was 5th at ... Became the first man to have ... Started against Johnny Vander 1980 U.S. Olympic trials ... 1972 at least 100 harness racing wins Meer in the Cincinnati pitcher’s Ohio High School Athletic Asso- for 27 consecutive years in 1986 second of two straight no-hitters ciation diving champion at Findlay ... Recorded 5,882 victories with ... Pitched in the first night game High ... Currently resides in Brent- $36.4 million in purse earnings ... at Ebbets Field and was part of the wood, Tenn. Last start was in 2006. first televised game ... Inducted into Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame Miron Kharchilava Chuck Merzbacher in 1984. Native of Abkhazia ... Defected In his 15th season as Ohio to U.S. and Findlay area in the State’s women’s tennis coach, Jack Quisno spring of 1992 while traveling is already winningest women’s Has coached Liberty-Benton to with a collegiate wrestling team tennis coach in school history ... 24 Blanchard Valley Conference ... NAIA national champion and His 2000 team was the Big Ten boys track and field champion- most outstanding wrestler in regular-season champion and he ships in 26 seasons as head coach, 1995 as member of University of has led 10 teams to the NCAA with 10 district championships, Findlay squad ... Was an assistant tournament ... Coached men’s nine regional championships and wrestling coach at Ohio State and tennis at Northern Illinois (1989- three Division III state champi- Indiana universities ... Currently 92), winning two Mid-Continent onships ... Has coached 13 state owns training facility and resides Conference titles and women’s in Dublin. tennis at Kansas (1992-1996), leading the team to four Big Eight Conference titles ... 1983 state John Kidd singles champion at Findlay High Tired of Being In Pain? Punted at Northwestern Uni- ... At Minnesota was a 3-time all- versity ... 15-year pro football Big Ten honoree, played on two WORK INJURIES • SPORTS INJURIES • DISC DISEASE • BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • TMJ punting career ... Set NFL record Big Ten Conference championship CAR ACCIDENTS • SHOULDER PAIN • LEG/HIP PAIN • FAILED BACK SURGERY in 1985 as a Buffalo Bill with 33 teams (1984 & 1986), qualified for punts inside the 20-yard line ... the NCAA tournament in singles On-Call for Blanchard Valley ER Comprehensive Treatment for Each Condition Certifi ed Athletic Trainer Had one of his best seasons as a and doubles (1985) ... played pro- Miami Dolphin in 1996 when he fessionally from 1987-89, qualify- Most Insurance Companies Accepted Master’s Degree in “America’s Top Chiropractors ‘09” led the NFL with 46.3 yard-per- ing for the main draw singles of Exercise Rehabilitation kick average; had 26 punts inside the 1989 Australian Open. Easy Payment Plans the 20 and 11 touchbacks ... Alter- Findlay’s fi rst Chiropractor to offer Active Release Technique - nate to the Pro Bowl and named Disc Decompression Therapy Patient Directed/ Evidence Based Care Plans Elite Provider Network to the USA Today All-Pro team Cindy Morehead in 1996 ... Currently a managing Has coached University of Specialized Treatment of Contested Work Injuries member of Kidd Communications. Findlay’s Western equestrian Dr. Darrach Dr. Lofquist team to four International Horse DC, RRT, FIAMA, AAPM Findlay’s only Certified Sports Chiropractor DC, MS, ATC, CCSP, ART Show Association national cham- Randy Kortokrax pionships and one runnerup finish 643 TRENTON AVE (next to Taco Bell) • 419-427-6300 • www.trentonchiropracticandrehab.com Started for his legendary in seven years as the team’s head THE COURIER D12 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

yards and 12 TDs in 1975 and Player of the Year in basketball at champion wrestler at UF ... Won & ’12 indoors; 2010, outdoor) ... be named team’s MVP ... Led the 1,014 yards and 19 touchdowns in Findlay High ... single-game high the 142-pound title in 1995 and Genoa grad ... Named 2012 Mid- NCAA Division I in passing effi- Top 1976 ... United Press International of 44 points and single-season 150-pound crown in 1996 & ’97 west Field Athlete of the Year by ciency in 1977 ... Currently serves all-Ohio second team pick as well high of 521 points ... started every ... Ninth on Roughnecks’ all-time U.S. Track and Field and Cross as Detroit Lions team chaplain. Continued from page D11 ... Played on Findlay High’s first game at Ohio State, scoring 1,622 win list, with a 86-16 record in Country Coaches Association ... OHSAA playoff team in 1975 ... points, which is second among berger elected to play basketball three years after transferring from won GLIAC indoor and outdoor Jeff Wobser Also lettered in baseball at FHS three-year players behind Jerry Ohio State ... Won nine tourna- shot put titles as senior. for Oklahoma ... 4-year letterman Won the 50-meter freestyle ... Four-year letterwinner at Michi- Lucas ... All-Big Ten as junior ment championships while at UF, and started as senior, playing in gan State, graduating in 1981. and senior at OSU ... Played with state title in 1979 and the 50 and 139 games, the third most in Big which is second on all-time list ... Steve Wenner 100-free championships in 1980 Received an MBA from the Uni- Cleveland Cavaliers from 1970-72 Enshrined in the NAIA Hall of 12 Conference history. versity of LaVerne, Calif. in 1990 at Findlay High ... Holds FHS and with the Philadelphia 76ers. Fame in 2010 ... Entering his 14th One of the most dominating and is currently a project manager inside players in Findlay High record for both events along with season as UF assistant. several Findlay YMCA age-group Chuck Rogers for Intel Corp. in Phoenix, Ariz. basketball history ... Set school Cheryl Stacy swimming records ... Swam on a Played baseball and basketball record with 27 rebounds against scholarship at the University of at the University of Michigan Shane Shockey As a senior golfer at Ohio State Al Thomas Scott May and Sandusky in 1970 in 1985, was first-team All-Ameri- Tennessee for two years, before ... Was member of Wolverines’ Bluffton native ... Won 2011-12 Four-year basketball letterman ... Career scoring average (21.2 becoming an assistant coach ... 1974 Big Ten 10 basketball title can, first-team all Big Ten, winner ppg) believed to be a school record NCAA Division II indoor national of the Big Ten championship and at Bowling Green State University, Currently head swimming coach team and 1975 league champion 3 ... Among all-time leaders in points championship in pole vault (17- /4) Michigan State Invitational ... Also helping Falcons to Mid-American at Findlay High. baseball squad ... Played three in a career (9th, 849), season for UF ... holds UF indoor (17-3) in 1985, runner-up and co-medal- Conference title and NIT appear- seasons with the Chicago Cubs and outdoor (16-10 3/4) pole ances in 1983 ... BGSU team (13th, 432) and game (19th, 35) AAA farm team in Wichita and ist at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Herk Wolfe vault records ... GLIAC indoor Women’s Western Amateur Cham- captain (1985) ... Third-team ... 3-year starter at Ohio State five seasons in Mexican League 6-foot-7, 235-pound center who champion (2010-11 & 2011-12), pionship medalist, winner of the Associated Press all-Ohio, played and was one of the top rebound- ... Pitched Findlay High to 1971 led the NAIA in scoring (30.5 GLIAC outdoor champion (2010- Ohio Women’s Amateur Cham- in the North-South All-Star game ers in the Big Ten ... Played pro- state championship and the 1972 ppg) in 1951-52 with 671 points 11) ... 2-time pole vault state cham- pionship at the Findlay Country and first-team all-Buckeye Confer- fessional ball in Europe ... Owns American Legion baseball team to and 704, respectively, at Findlay pion at Bluffton in 2004 (14-8) and Club, and had the low amateur ence in basketball at Findlay High Jack’s Heating, Air Conditioning World Series ... Currently resides College ... Holds school’s single- 2005 (14-9) and runner-up in 2006 score at the LPGA Jamie Farr in 1981 ... Helped FHS post three- and Plumbing. in Findlay. game marks of 61 points and 33 ... three-time state wrestling quali- Classic ... Qualified for LPGA Tour year record of 60-10, make two rebounds ... Inducted into NAIA fier at Bluffton. in 1991, participating in 22 events regional appearances, win two Steve Williman Helms Foundation Hall of Fame. Sue Ann Sandusky ... In 1994, was ranked sixth on the Buckeye Conference titles and put Won numerous national and A.J. Siebeneck all-time Futures Tour money list ... together a 35-game home court Has coached the Liberty- international rifle shooting Won four Futures Tour events ... winning streak ... Three-year FHS Benton boys basketball team for Joy Woolley Considered the premier soccer 26 seasons, leading Eagles to championships as a member of player to come out of Findlay’s Currently in her fourth year as the baseball letterman as Trojans won Female member of Findlay the U.S. International Shoot- head women’s coach at the Univer- back-to-back Buckeye Conference 1995 state Division III champi- High’s boys hockey team in early youth, travel and high school onship, 510 wins, 42 consecutive ing Team ... Won 6 gold medals programs ... Holds most Findlay sity of Michigan. titles (1980-81) and had a regional 1980s ... Played women’s hockey in world competition ... In 1978, High offensive records, including appearance (1980) ... American Blanchard Valley Conference vic- at Northeastern University and won 3 gold medals at the World goals in a season (46) and career Dick Strahm Legion batting champion and all- tories (2005-2010), 22 sectional was member of two Northeast- Shooting Championships in Seoul, (86) and assists in career (40) ... star pick (1980-82) ... Played in championships including 20 in a ern national title teams ... All- Korea ... 3-time all-American rifle All-league, all-district, all-state, 25-year UF head football 8 world and 9 national fastpitch row (1991-2010), 9 district cham- American soccer player at Findlay coach who guided Oilers to four shooter at Texas Christian Univer- all-Midwest and OHSAA Scholar softball tournaments and named pionships, 2 regional champion- High, establishing school record NAIA national championships sity in 1972, ’73 & ’74 ... Served as Athlete as a senior ... Four-year third-team all-American (1993). ships and 15 BVC titles. for most goals and assists ... Also a U.S. defense attache at American starter at Duke University, help- (1979, ’92, ’95, ’97) ... Won four played softball at FHS ... Currently embassy in Liberia, Congo, Cote ing Blue Devils reach the NCAA national coach of the year awards Dave Wilson assists Findlay Area Hockey Asso- d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Her most Final Four as a junior and senior. ... 12-time NAIA District 22 coach Derrick Vicars ciation. recent assignment was as the of the year ... Led UF to 12 NAIA All-Ohio quarterback after Ranks 13th on school’s all-time Two-time NCAA Division II director of African studies at the playoff appearances with 19-7-1 leading Findlay High to its first- list for career points ... Gradu- outdoor national champion for Bob Wortman U.S. Army War College, Carlisle ate of Duke (1994) and Temple record ... Had career collegiate ever 10-0 regular season and into UF, winning discus in 2010 (173-1) Barracks, Pa. University of Podiatric Medicine record of 183-64-5 ... Coached 38 the state playoffs in 1975 ... Also Became first person to officiate (1998), currently a podiatrist in NAIA all-Americans and 16 NAIA and shot put in 2012 (62-8) ... UF all-Buckeye Conference in bas- a Super Bowl and an NCAA bas- all-American scholar athletes. indoor record-holder in shot put ketball and baseball as shortstop ketball championship game in the Latham, N.Y. 1 Andy Schramm (62-6) and weight throw (70 /4) on 29-0 team ... Led Ball State to same season in 1972 ... Officiated Two-time all-Ohio and all- and outdoor record-holder in shot two Mid-American Conference two Super Bowls (1972 & ’78) and Buckeye Conference running back Dave Sorenson Bubba Taylor put (62-8) and discus (176-0) ... football titles, was two-time all- four NCAA finals ... Findlay High for Findlay High, rushing for 1,222 1966 Ohio Associated Press Three-time NAIA national 3-time Div. II All-American (2010 MAC pick and first sophomore to and Findlay College graduate. Findlay had a professional baseball team in 1930s

FDR was in the White House, pot roast Philadelphia could all claim their part of in 1937 and made an immediate impact. But his replacement, Toledo attorney Paul championship series to the Lima Pandas. was selling for 16 cents a pound, and Find- pro fessional b aseball. Under the guidance of Grover Hartley, Shank, instilled new life into the league. In 1940, major league commissioner lay had a professional baseball team. The Ohio State League was an offshoot who had played in four World Series with An innovative experiment — night base- Kenne saw Mountain Landis ruled that The year was 1937 and Findlay was of the expanded minor league system pio- the New York Giants, the Browns beat ball — also had a major impact. a team could no longer stockpile players a mem ber of the short-lived Ohio State neered by Branch Rickey of the St. Louis Marion in the semifinals of the league Findlay, Fremont and Fostoria all in its minor league systems. Many major League. The team was known as the Cardinals. playoff, then lost in the finals to a Mans- installed lights at their fields and the jump league teams dropped their affiliates, Browns. field powerhouse stocked with some tal- Each team was owned and operated by in attend ance was staggering. Findlay, including those in Findlay, Fostoria and The conference, a loose-knit organi- local investors, but most had some kind of ented players by the Red Sox. for example, averaged 200 fans for day Tiffin. zation of minor league teams who often working agreement with a major league Problems with ownership and financ- switched allegiance from one season to organization — New Philadelphia and ing nearly canceled the 1938 season. Man- games, but 1,000 at night. Without major league backing, many another, began play in 1936 and folded Fostoria with St. Louis; Fremont with the sfield dropped out of the league. Marion Findlay finished second in the 1938 of the Ohio State League teams struggled. in 1941. Cincinnati Reds; Tiffin with the Detroit followed suit, leaving just Findlay, Fos- race. The Browns took the 1939 league Most lost money during the 1940 season, But for those six years, towns like Tigers; Mansfield with the Boston Red toria, Fremont and Tiffin. title, thanks to some solid pitching by after which Hartley tried to sell Findlay’s Findlay, Fostoria, Fremont, Lima, Tiffin, Sox. Commissioner Harry Smith, one of the Barney Fletcher and Bill Prussing late in franchise to a group of Marion business- Sandusky, Mansfield, Marion and New Findlay entered the Ohio State League major founders of the league, resigned. the season, but lost a gru eling seven-game men. 200 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH.

Milestones remind us of what we truly value. Happy 200th birthday, Findlay! Cooper Tire and its employees are proud to call this community home.