The Courier THE COURIER C2 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 INSIDE R.L. Heminger history columns C3-6 Students imagine life in 1812 E1-3 History stories, 1900-2012 C7-D8 Messages to future Findlay E3-4 Sports standouts D9-12 Readers remember E5-F11

SCHEDULE OF FINDLAY’S BICENTENNIAL EVENTS FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012 Bicentennial Boogie Bicentennial Community Challenge: Scavanger Hunt 6 p.m. to midnight, Main Street in downtown Findlay 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dorney Plaza SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012 Time Capsule Dig Up & Music in the Park 6 p.m., Riverside Park Bicentennial Community Festival 11 a.m. to midnight, Hancock County Fairgrounds THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012 (Flag Day) Inflatable rides, food, beer garden, displays and Bicentennial Community Challenge: music by the Reunion Band Stickball Tournament Findlay Co-ed Bicentennial Volleyball Tournament 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dorney Plaza 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Riverside Park Bicentennial Parade SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2012 7 p.m., Lincoln Street to West Main Cross Street Bicentennial Community Festival Register online at findlay200.com 11 a.m. to midnight, Hancock County Fairgrounds Fireworks Downtown Inflatable rides, food, beer garden, displays and 10 p.m. (after parade), launched from old Brandman property Little Miss & Little Mr. Bicentennial Pageant Viewable from Blanchard River and downtown Forte Findlay, A Musical Celebration FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012 7 p.m., University of Findlay’s Koehler Center Featuring area church choirs and Night Jazz Bicentennial Community Challenge: Tri-fecta at the Fairgrounds MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 (Tug of War, Sack Races & Donkey Races) Bicentennial Communtiy Challenge: Noon to 4 p.m. Ice Cream Sundae Making Contest SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dorney Plaza Bicentennial 5K Run Findlay-Hancock County Public Library 9 a.m., Riverside Park SummerREAD Kick-Off 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Findlay-Hancock County Public Library Brush Company War of 1812 Re-enactments Featuring musician and storyteller Bob Ford, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. music and stories from early Ohio Ceremonial march from Sandusky Street to river, Dorney Plaza and courthouse lawn 23rd Annual Julie Cole Golf Tournament Findlay Country Club Findlay Service League Historical Gala $10 grounds pass available to public 7 p.m. to midnight, Findlay Inn & Conference Center For more info visit bvhealthsystem.org $75 per person, $150 per couple. Tickets available at Arts Partnership TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012 Bicentennial Community Challenge: Super Soaker Duel The Brothers of the Brush 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dorney Plaza Beard Growing Competition A Night at the Museum Register at the Hancock Historical Museum Judging will be held June 30 at 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hancock Historical Museum at the Great Race event in Downtown Findlay! $1 admission - Watch the museum come to life in this family event!

Souvenirs are available at the Trading Post in the Hancock Historical Museum, 422 W. Sandusky St. Website: www.findlay200.com • Facebook: facebook.com/findlaybicentennial Email: Christie Ranzau at [email protected] or Tamera Rooney at [email protected] More events all year long including the annual Wheelmen Meet and much more! Dates and events are subject to change and will be updated regularly. THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL C3 Findlay’s namesake came from distinguished family

By R.L. HEMINGER Pennsylvania. He was named Samuel One, William, was to become governor colonel of the Second Ohio Volunteers “Though the brothers did not meet Findlay. A son also was named Samuel, of Pennsylvania in later life and United and served under Gen. William Hull at during their military campaigns, they Some exceedingly interesting informa- who marred Jane Smith. States senator. Two, John and James, Detroit.” were destined to meet in legislative tion with regard to Col. James Findlay, the To this couple were born six sons, one were destined to go to Washington as (The Mercersburg volume does not duties,” says the history. builder of the fort here in the War of 1812 of whom was James, who later in his life members of Congress. Three Findlay sons expand on Col. James Findlay’s military “In 1826, James Findlay was sent to and leader for whom our city is named, is came to Ohio and was the individual who — William, John and James — were all experience beyond the above statement. the National House of Representatives to be found in a historical work published built the fort here. The father died at the in Congress at one time. Only one other He was the commander of one of four regi- at Washington and remained there until at Mercersburg, Pa., with regard to that age of 35. The half-dozen sons were all time in the history of the United States ments which made up Gen. Hull’s army 1833. Thus Mercersburg has the remark- community’s background. born in Mercersburg. A farm in the area has this record been duplicated. in the War of 1812, and which marched able record of having three brothers from is still known as the Findlay farm, the his- James, according to the Mercersburg through this area in the spring of 1812 one of her families in the United States A copy of the publication was made torical work says. historical work, “had western fever and en route to Detroit to engage the British available to the writer by Mr. and Mrs. H. After the father’s death, the farm was went in 1793 to Cincinnati, then a frontier forces.) Congress at one time, a record that has Forney Hamilton, whose daughter, Mrs. divided among the six sons and some of fort.” The volume goes on to say that the been duplicated but once in the nation’s Joan Rockwell, resides there now (1968). them lived for some years on sections “In 1798,” the volume continues, “he oldest Findlay brother, John, who had history.” There is a chapter in the volume enti- of the estate “before they were called to became a member of the Legislative Coun- remained in the home area of Franklin The reference in the forgoing para- tled “The Findlay Family” written by a wider fields of public service,” the histori- cil for the Ohio territory, identifying him- County in Pennsylvania, was a colonel in graph to the three brothers includes Findlay family descendant, Sara Findlay cal record says. self with Mr. Jefferson’s party. He became the Pennsylvania volunteer regiment that William, the former governor of Penn- Rice. The six sons were John, William, prominent and filled various offices, civil marched to the defense of Baltimore in the sylvania, who was in the United States The Findlay family history is traced James, Jonathan, Samuel and Robert. and military, until 1824. In the second war War of 1812 and was elected to Congress Senate while his two brothers were in the to the grandfather of James Findlay in James was born in 1775. with Great Britain he was commissioned from a Pennsylvania district. lower house.

First settler: Benjamin Cox These articles on Findlay area history were fi rst published in The Republican-Courier between By R.L. HEMINGER Jacob and William Moreland Jackson Township and struck a came from Ross County in 1821 vein of gas while digging a water 1959 and 1974 by R.L. Heminger, publisher and The first permanent settler in to settle here. They built a cabin well. This is reputed to have been both Findlay and Hancock County on the north bank of the river. Wil- the first gas discovered in Han- editor of the newspaper. was Benjamin H. Cox. He was a liam was elected overseer of the cock County and was one of the Heminger also was a community leader and an native of Virginia. He came to poor in 1824. reasons Dr. Oesterlen felt it might Ohio early in the new century, set- John Simpson also came here prove profitable to drill for gas on area historian. He published a book, “Across the tling first in Greene County, then from Ross County in 1821 with his a big scale locally. in Logan County. He served as a son John. The father was killed by Robert Bonham Sr., a native Years in Findlay and Hancock County,” in 1965. scout in the armies of General Hull a falling tree limb two years later. of Pennsylvania, came to Findlay More Heminger articles from the “Historical and General Harrison. John Gardner and family in 1830. He died in 1875 when 83 At the close of the War of 1812, arrived in 1822 and settled on years old. Highlights” series may be found at http:// Mr. Cox, who had lost the sight what is now the site of Maple Daniel Andreck, John Bishop, of one eye, came to Fort Findlay. Grove Cemetery. He was later John Harritt, Benoni Culp and thecourier.com/templates/opinion/historical/ He had often visited the fort on elected one of the town’s fence Jacob Feller were 1831 arrivals. the Blanchard River and in 1815 viewers. The latter was a native of Penn- historical.asp. brought his family here and took Isaac Johnson and his family sylvania. He was married to Miss possession of a story and a half came in 1827. John Boyd also was Mary Powell, of Fairfield County, hewed-log house which had been an 1827 arrival, as was John Jones, and they had a large family con- erected by a sutler (one who sells who was elected constable of the sisting of seven sons and five provisions) of the garrison, during town soon after his arrival. Jacob daughters. the war. Foster came in 1828 and William John Byal arrived in 1832 and A daughter was born to the Dulin arrived in 1830. William Byal in 1833, both coming Coxes in 1816. She was the first Leonard Tritch came from from Stark County. white child born in the county. Crawford County in October 1829, Other settlers in 1832 included Mr. Cox was described as and entered 160 acres on the east Thomas G. Whitlock, Alvin a typical backwoodsman. He edge of the town. He was a native Schoonover, Peter Deamer and cleared and cultivated some of the of Maryland. He was a carpenter Samuel Spangler. In the spring of land near the fort and kept a small and followed that trade here. His 1833, Anthony Strother arrived. Col. Findlay tavern. He was fond of hunting, wife died in 1838 and he passed Frederick Diduit, a native of Scioto the early records indicate. He was away in 1842. A son was Parlee County, reached here in 1833. He on friendly terms with the Indians. Tritch, father of the late Dr. J.C. married Helen Gilruth, daughter When Wilson Vance arrived in Tritch. The wife of Dr. Charles of the Rev. James Gilruth, a pio- the fall of 1821, to settle here and Oesterlen, discoverer of gas in neer Methodist preacher in this organize a community, Cox gave Findlay, also was a daughter of locality. Vance his house and removed to Leonard Tritch. Other arrivals around 1834 a smaller cabin. In 1823, Cox left Abraham Schoonover, a native to 1836 included Samuel K. Rad- for Maumee and later lived near of Pennsylvania, came in 1830, abaugh, Emanuel Phifer, Henry Provided by Hancock Historical Museum Portage in Wood County, subse- while John Baker, Richard Wade Baker, Samuel Snyder, George A DRAWING OF FORT FINDLAY, built in June of 1812 by Col. James Findlay and named in his honor. It quently moving to Indiana, where and Henry Folk also were 1830 Hollenbeck, Samuel Switzer, was located at what is now the west side of South Main Street, from the bridge to West Front Street. It he died. arrivals. Wade later moved to Henry Baer and Aaron Alban. was a stockade created with 10-foot-high log walls and a two-story block house erected on each corner.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY

INVOLVED

% Founded in 1882 as Findlay College by the Churches of God, General % Now offers nearly 60 undergraduate programs, eight master’s programs Conference, and the citizens of the city of Findlay, who sought an and two doctoral degrees in the colleges of Business, Education, Health institution of higher education to help the municipality grow. Professions, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy and Sciences. % Changed its name to The University of Findlay in 1989 to reflect the % Encourages excellence in local students by offering renewable Merit dynamic growth in enrollment and the diversity of academic offerings Scholarships ranging from $9,500 to $14,500 per year. available, including the addition of graduate programing. % Helps nearly 1,000 Ohio students jump-start their college careers each semester through the UF postsecondary and UF-USA programs.

WWW.FINDLAY.EDU THE COURIER C4 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 Pioneers encountered wolves, bears, porcupines

By R.L. HEMINGER mination work among our fowls. stick, as was often the case, the numerous and very troublesome hide of the bear. The man made a “My father took great pains to The fox, mink, weasel, skunk, quills would fly a considerable dis- to coon hunters. The polecats hasty retreat and finally shot the destroy them. He killed 49 in all. Job Chamberlin, author of a opossum, raccoon and muskrat tance, which perhaps gave rise to were the most detestable of all bear in time to save the dog. He took the scalps to Perrysburg series of articles many years ago were all quite numerous and all, the belief that they would throw the animals that infested out hen “The wolf was the most trou- which was the county seat of the providing recollections of pioneer like some bipeds nowadays, were them. roasts. Besides catching our chick- blesome of all the animals. It was district at that time. He got $1.25 days in Findlay experienced by his sneaking around watching for “Our cattle frequently came ens they would eat their eggs and almost impossible to raise sheep bounty for each scalp at first, but it father, also named Job, and other an opportunity to prey upon our home with their noses full of they were always prowling about on account of them. We had to put was later raised to $3.25 per scalp. members of the family, told of the chickens and it was difficult to quills, when they had ventured too nights seeking mischief. our sheep in high pens at night He had to take them within 30 wildlife in one of his early remi- raise them for many years. near the animal. My brother once “There were a great many to save them. We could hear the days after killing them and make niscences. “Porcupines were plentiful, got well punished for his rashness bears and the white inhabitants wolves howling nearly every night oath that he killed them. “When we came to the hill in but we did not find them to be as in venturing his hand too near one would sometimes have encounters and frequently there were two or “I recollect of once going with the 1820s we found the woods full remarkable an animal as they were of these creatures. It struck him on with them. Two of our neighbors three gangs of them. One gang my father to his wolf pen, when of birds,” he wrote. “Those of a represented. They were said to be the back of the hand and it became wounded a large one and one of would howl and the other would sure enough, he had a big wolf. He carnivorous disposition gave us able to throw their quills quite a full of quills. He undertook to pull their dogs attacked the animal. answer them. lifted the top of the pen and let the much trouble for many years. The distance and some people were at them out, but it was too big a job The bear gave him a warm recep- “It was not the music of the animal get his head out, then let hawks, of which there were four or first afraid to approach them for for him and he hurried home for tion, hugging him until it looked winds, but it was of the woods. it down enough to hold the wolf. five kinds, were constantly on the fear they would shoot the quills help, but before they were all out, like the dog was going to be They were very impertinent fel- He then tied the wolf’s mouth alert to make a meal out of one of into them. But they had no such his hand turned white and his face, squeezed to death. lows and would come around at securely and then tied his feet. our chickens. The ravens were on power. If anything touched them too. He came near fainting. The “Its owner then jumped on night and get the dogs after them He then took him on his shoulder the lookout for eggs and a newly in an unfriendly way it would quills were bearded at the point the bear with a butcher knife and and run off into the woods, then and started for home. He had to hatched chicken. strike upwards with its tail with and like a bee sting, kept working struck him with such force that the turn and chase the dogs back and cross Eagle Creek on a log, the “There was an abundance of great force and if it hit an enemy in. knife bent and was rendered use- keep up this kind of sport for hours wolf vainly trying to bite him in animals to help carry on the exter- it stuck it full of quills; if it hit a “The possums were quite less without penetrating the tough on end. the meantime.” Community began with Vance

By R.L. HEMINGER of his death. The first grist mill and sawmill in the county. He held both posts In his four decades here, he was constructed under the super- at the same time, something that The origin of Findlay as a accomplished much. He held a vision of Mr. Vance in 1824. It was could not take place today under community is generally held to number of county offices and was a great boon to the early settlers. present state laws. have begun with the coming of one of the moving spirits in the He later erected other structures As the first county recorder Wilson Vance in November 1821, early development of the commu- in the community and engaged and the first clerk of courts, he for it was he who set in motion nity. A number of his descendants in mercantile trade at one time. had the responsibility of setting the machinery which led to the live here now, some bearing the He also was interested in farming up the books of each office for the establishment of the settlement name of Vance and others having a enterprises. new county. Records bearing his as a town. distant relationship through mar- His official life had begun name are on file in the offices to riage. before he came to Findlay. He Col. James Findlay came this day. Mr. Vance again served He came to Findlay from Fort was appointed surveyor of Wood through in June 1812 with his as county recorder from October Meigs along the Maumee River to County in May 1820, while still forces and built Fort Findlay on 1835 to October 1838. He later look after the large landed inter- living in the vicinity of Fort Meigs. the banks of the Blanchard River. served as county treasurer from ests of his brother Joseph here He became Findlay’s first He left a small garrison here as he June 1845 to June 1847. and to lay out the town at the fort. postmaster, having received his proceeded on toward Detroit. A Both he and Mrs. Vance were Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum The histories say he walked the appointment Feb. 8, 1823, con- few whites visited the fort in the adherents of the Presbyterian faith THE FIRST COURTHOUSE in Hancock County (drawing, above) entire distance from the Maumee, tinuing to handle the mails until next six or seven years, but it was and the denomination’s first orga- was built in 1833 at a cost of $700 and was located where the current his wife riding on an Indian pony the following July. At the first not until 1821 that steps toward an nized worship was held in their Jones Building now sits. Construction on the current courthouse and carrying their small baby in election held in Findlay Township organized town took form. home here. (the county’s third) was fi nished in 1886 (below) at a cost of $71,576. her arms. July 1, 1823, he was chosen one of He was a native of Kentucky, On July 3, 1821, Joseph Vance, The Wilson Vances occupied a the two justices of the peace and William Neill and Elnathan Cory having been born in Mason story and a half hewed-log house, at the succeeding election he was County Jan. 19, 1796, his parents filed the first land entries in the which had been occupied by Ben- named township trustee and lister area. being of Irish ancestry. The family jamin Cox, a white settler who had of property for tax purposes. In later came to Greene County in Vance, a brother of Wilson come here earlier but who never the latter position, he made the Ohio from Kentucky and then to Vance, lived in Urbana, Ohio, and was connected with the founding first assessment of taxable prop- Urbana, where he grew to matu- later became governor of Ohio. of the town. In fact, he left in 1823. erty in Hancock County. His own rity. In 1816 he went to Fort Meigs, Neill’s home was in Columbus In the spring of 1822, Mr. Vance property, he reported, consisted of where his brother Joseph was and Cory was from New Carl- opened a small hotel or tavern, as one horse and four head of cattle. conducting a store. He undoubt- isle. Vance and Cory later bought they were known in those days. He was one of a very small edly passed through when is now Neill’s interests, becoming the He obtained a license for such a company of individuals in the Findlay on his way to Fort Meigs. owners of what was the original business from the common pleas early days of the county to hold plat of the town. The Vances had eight sons and court of Wood County for $5, three elective public offices in the four daughters, all of whom were Wilson Vance lived here 41 Hancock County not having been county government. He was clerk born in Findlay except two. years, passing away in 1862. His formed as yet and the area here of the common pleas court from His name still continues on grave at Maple Grove Cemetery is coming under the jurisdiction of March 1828 to March 1835. He the official records of the county located in the forepart of the burial the larger Wood County area. His served as county recorder from the through an addition which bears ground. He was living with a son business establishment stood near spring of 1828 to June 1835. He his name. in Orange Township at the time the bridge on the east side. was the first to hold such offices

Blanchard Valley Carlin brothers played big role Hospital, Today!

By R.L. HEMINGER Squire Carlin in his latter years be taken by Squire Carlin or his held the distinction of being the brother to Detroit for sale and Squire and Parlee Carlin, oldest continuous resident living shipment to England and Europe. brothers, were two of the earliest in the community. It was 1892 One winter, the Carlins purchased settlers in Findlay, and the roles when he expired. 4,600 deer skins and 7,000 coon they played in the life of the small He was born near Auburn, skins. community were of a major and N.Y., on Christmas Day 1801. In Much of the merchandise which substantial nature. They had much the winter of 1806, the Carlin they sold in their store came into to do with the shaping of the little family left Auburn on a sled for Findlay by boat, traveling down village which grew into the city Erie. In the spring of 1807 they the Maumee to the Auglaize to of today. boarded a sailboat and came to the Defiance and then to Findlay via Both lived until the later part mouth of the Huron River in Ohio. the Blanchard River. of the 19th century and both saw They were only the second white The brothers carried on their the town which they helped get its family to locate in Huron County, business at the Main and Front start flower into a busy, progres- but only remaining a year, going location until 1852, when they sold sive community. Squire Carlin to a point near Monroe, Mich., and out, but continued to operate their lived to see the great oil and gas later to Maumee, Ohio. grist and saw mills on the north boom of the late 1880s, being 91 After the surrender of General bank of the Blanchard River for when he expired. Hull in 1812, the family moved some years yet. They also engaged Squire Carlin is credited with southward along Hull’s Trail to in the real estate and banking busi- having opened the first store in Urbana, going through was was ness for some years. later to become Findlay. the new village. Most of his trade In 1849, Mr. Carlin joined was with the Indians. He handled Squire Carlin later told of visit- a group of Findlay men who many articles which appealed to ing Fort Findlay on the route, as decided to go to California with they proceeded to Urbana. Some their interests, as well as sup- the gold seekers. He remained two plying the few whites with their work was still going on with years and returned to Findlay via needs, in a primitive way. regard to completion of the for- Panama and New Orleans. He tification, Col. James Findlay, in His place of business was was one of the prime movers in charge of the soldiers who estab- located at the southwest corner the building of the Lake Erie and of South Main Street and West lished the defense post, having left Western Railroad through Findlay. Front Street. He had purchased a a detachment behind for its work, lot from settlers who had preceded according to Squire Carlin’s recol- Squire Carlin was Findlay’s him here by a few years and he lections. third postmaster, serving from erected a log structure thereon. After two years in Urbana, June 1831 to March 1849, or Specialized Care Is Close By That was in November 1826. the Carlin family returned to nearly 18 years. He also served as Hancock County treasurer from His brother, Parlee, came two Maumee, again passing through s"EHAVIORAL(EALTH s*OINT2EPLACEMENT s/PEN(EART3URGERY years later and formed a partner- Findlay with its fort. Squire 1831 to 1839. He held the office /RTHOPEDICS ship with his brother. Their store Carlin remained in Maumee until for four terms. s#ANCER4REATMENT s0AIN4REATMENT s)MAGING2ADIOLOGY was known as S. and P. Carlin. he decided to come to Findlay in Mr. Carlin’s son, Dr. William s#HILDRENS3ERVICES s2EHAB3PORTS-EDICINE D. Carlin, was a surgeon in the He was active also in the pioneer 1826, having married at Maumee s,AB3ERVICES s2OBOTIC !SSISTED3URGERY development of the town, and the in 1821. Civil War and lost his life in the s%MERGENCY4RAUMA conflict. s-INIMALLY)NVASIVE two brothers were associated in After coming to Findlay and s#ARDIAC#ARE 3URGERY s3LEEP$ISORDERS#ENTER various enterprises. Parlee died in establishing the Carlin store, the Parlee Carlin served as Han- s#ARDIAC#ATHETERIZATION s7OUND#ARE 1883 at the age of 76. partners spent much time travel- cock County recorder from June s.ECK"ACK3URGERY Both men held public office, fill- ing through the forest buying furs 1835 to October 1835, and for s#AUGHMAN(EALTH#ENTER s.EUROSURGERY ing various positions in the early from the Indians, white hunters several terms was in the state s$IABETES3ERVICES days of the town. and small traders. They would Legislature from Hancock County. s/BSTETRICS,EVEL s$IALYSIS#ENTER 3PECIAL#ARE.URSERY

The Courier is Hospital at present grateful to the Hancock location in 1895 Historical Museum for use of its photos and other materials from its vast archive of Findlay’s history. We particularly wish to thank Adam Criblez and Mark Donaldson for all "LANCHARD6ALLEY(OSPITAL their assistance in 3-AIN3Ts&INDLAY bringing you this  section. BVHEALTHSYSTEMORG THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL C5 Blanchard River connected settlers to outside world By R.L. HEMINGER wilderness. old Misamore mill in northwestern Amanda Town- ducing flour for the village and also sawing timber, Over the river came their early merchandise via ship near the Van Horn Cemetery, close to which utilizing the river’s water for power. The Blanchard River is one of those matters we Toledo, Maumee and Defiance, over the Maumee Tell Taylor lived as a youth and from which he drew There was what was known as a millrace just are apt to take for granted most of the time. and Auglaize rivers to the mouth of the Blanchard his inspiration for his famous song “Down By The north of the present Main Street bridge, some of the in Putnam County. Over the river, they floated their Old Mill Stream.” Of course when it gets out of its banks and becomes Blanchard’s water coursing through this race, cross- early grain and produce to market via the same route. Other mills located by Capt. Hogle included one ing what is now Main Street a couple hundred feet troublesome from that standpoint, it’s a vastly differ- Even some of Findlay’s first settlers arrived by situated just north of the Hancock County Home on ent matter then. But fortunately that only happens north of the bridge. The Vance-Carlin mill operation river. They were en route here by horse and wagon the north bank of the river on Hancock County 140, was tied in with this millrace, it was understood. once in a long time. And we are now trying to solve and encountered difficulties east of here and decided and another south of Mount Blanchard along the that problem permanently. to hollow out a tree and float on down to Findlay on river. Steam and horsepower supplanted the water- The river has played a vital role in the life of the the Blanchard River. Within the city of Findlay there were waterpower power mills eventually. Henry Shaw built a horse- local community over the years. Particularly in the One of the very early uses of the waterway was mills along the waterway. A combined log and grist power mill on West Front Street in 1832 to supply pioneer days did it mean much to the early settlers. for the purpose of power for sawmills and gristmills. mill was built under the supervision of Wilson Vance, the community with corn meal when the Vance mill It was an invaluable help to them in many ways and it These were a necessity in the lives of the pioneers who laid out the town in the early 1820s. could not function because the water in the river was eased their rough paths very materially. They would and the river was dotted with them along the banks. It was the first manufacturing establishment to be too low. This happened quite a bit, it is understood. have had a much more difficult time of it, without Remnants of these early mills can still be seen over instituted in the county. The date was 1824. The mill Since the old mills of the water variety existed so the river nearby. the county along the banks of the river. stood on the north bank of the river near the present many years ago, only artist drawings of them are to The stream connected them with the outside Capt. W. Albert Hogle, deputy county engineer for Main Street bridge. The property changed hands sev- be found today, representing a visualization made world when there were no roads to speak of, when some years and engineering head of the Civilian Con- eral times until 1837 when Squire and Parlee Carlin possible by memories of old-timers. Requests fre- there were no railroads and no other forms of trans- servation Corps project here in the 1930s, located the bought it. It was rebuilt several times. The Carlins quently come for pictures of the old Misamore mill, portation, in what for a number of years was only a sites of a number of these early mills, including the continued its operation for a number of years, pro- in view of the Tell Taylor association. And a river ran through it

By R.L. HEMINGER bridge, erected in the 1930s, is Many old-timers will recall a memorial to all who have gone the old Athletic Park along the There are believed to have been from the local community to the Blanchard just east of Main Street. two Indian villages on the banks various wars in which the country Here the high school, college and of the Blanchard River. The Wyan- has engaged. other teams played their games dots lived in these settlements. The Blanchard River came into for many years. The park area One was at the site of Fort the community’s consciousness disappeared in the straightening Findlay. When the first white man to an emphatic extent after Riv- process. came through the area in 1815 erside Park was opened in 1906 No history of the Blanchard’s after the fort’s establishment in and a fleet of launches and other influence upon the city is com- 1812, he found eight or 10 Indian craft were on the waterway carry- plete, of course, without mention families around and in the block- ing passengers between the Main of the great 1913 flood, which saw houses of the first. They were till- Street bridge and the resort. This the stream’s banks extend to Lima ing two fields in which they had was before the advent of the auto- Street on the south and to an area planted grain. mobile and the boats provided the well toward Findlay College sec- The other village was further only means of getting to and from tion on the north. One life was Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum west on a site known as Indian the park, outside of walking, use lost. Business was suspended for THE BLANCHARD RIVER has long been a source of commerce, recreation and heartache for residents Green on what was to become of a horse and carriage or in the a number of days and the town was of Findlay, and also served as the lifeblood of the region. An icehouse (above left) operated and served the Worden farm in Liberty Town- very few motor cars that existed without light and power for nearly the area in the fi rst part of the 1900s. The river has also had a song written about it. “Down by the Old ship, along U.S. 224, just north of then locally. By the 1920s cars had a week. Mill Stream” was a tune written and made famous in 1908 by Tell Taylor (above right). the Old Blanchard Presbyterian arrived in such numbers that the The river was named, of Church. There was a clearing of boats disappeared for lack of use. course, for a man named Jean some dozen acres here, whereon It was a great era in Findlay’s his- Jacques Blanchard, a Frenchman, the Indians had a graveyard and a tory and will be long remembered. who lived with the Indians. He plum orchard. Many Indian relics It is interesting to recall that was a tailor by trade who mar- were found along the riverbanks the first stone for improvement of ried a Shawnee squaw. They had here. Main Street back in the 1830s and a dozen children. The father plied The first bridge went across 1840s came from the bed of the his trade up and down the river, the river in 1843 when a wooden Blanchard River. Little did the set- which soon became known as his structure was built over the tlers realize that they could have especial property. stream on what is now Findlay’s found stone in vast quantities had The Blanchard River today has THE DAM AT RIVERSIDE Park was constructed in 1905 (above) to elevate the river for boating and Main Street. At the same time a they gone a little further south and become the object of new inter- recreation. So many people enjoyed it that a boat named “The Pasttime” was created to ferry people bridge was built near where the west in the community where the est, as an organization has been up and down the river (below right). Despite all the fun, the Blanchard River can also be fi ckle, fl ooding present three-mile bridge crosses stone is very close to the surface. formed to clean up its banks and several times over the centuries, including major fl oods in 1913 (below left) and 2007. the river east of Findlay. The course of the Blanchard beautify its environment. The pro- Since World War II, there has been altered three times in gram will provide a new look for have been eight entirely new recent years in straightening the stream, which had provided bridges constructed across the programs. Twice its kinks have so much benefit and advantage to river within Hancock County. In been removed from the Rawson the local community through the addition, several older structures Park area and once just east of the years and which is deserving of a have been improved and rebuilt. Main Street bridge, to smooth out much better appearance than has The present (1966) Main Street its flow. been the case in recent years.

Bridge led to town’s growth

By R.L. HEMINGER road’s first president. ings was the late George Carroth- In his plat, Taylor said he was ers, a Civil War veteran who came The town of Findlay originally the owner and proprietor of the to Findlay from Crawford County, occupied only the area south of north side area described therein. where he was born in 1839. FINDLAY the Blanchard River. All the area He had bought it from the federal Carrothers built 40 new homes north of the river remained unoc- government. within a very few years in the area cupied and unsettled for quite a The promoters told Taylor between George Street and Allen few years after the original town they were considering a location Avenue, east of North Main Street. of Findlay was laid out in the early on West Main Cross Street for the The homes attracted so much 1820s. depot of the new railroad. When attention that the area between 200 YEARS & STILL RAM TOUGH! After the first bridge was con- the final decision was made that the two thoroughfares was dubbed structed across the river in 1843, this was to be the station site, “Carrothersville” in his honor. interest grew slowly in populating Taylor folded up his plans. Carrothers, who became a the north area. Taylor came to Findlay in the community leader and a director Early in the 1850s, William 1820s and became the first county of the former American National Taylor, one of the town’s pioneer surveyor. He later was elected a Bank, was a great admirer of leaders, conceived the idea of county commissioner and also former President James A. Gar- establishing another town, sepa- served as Hancock County’s field. He named one of the streets rate from the original settlement member of the state Legislature. in “Carrothersville” for the mar- on the south side and calling it He built a building at the north- tyred president and also named “North Findlay.” west corner of West Main Cross one of his sons Garfield. and South Main streets where the His idea was largely prompted He died in Riverside, Calif., in Karst block now stands and the by the fact that a railroad was 1922 at the age of 83. He made Ohio Bank and Savings Co. was soon to traverse what is now a gift to Findlay College of the located. North Main Street, not far from corner property at Garfield and Mrs. J.S. Patterson, wife of the the new bridge. The railroad was North Main where the present founder of the Patterson depart- the present Norfolk Southern, ear- home of the president of the col- ment store, was a daughter of lier known as the Lake Erie and lege is situated. The residence Taylor. Western and then the Nickel Plate. is designated “the Carrothers The original town of Findlay Taylor thought, with a town Home” by the college. moved to extend its area to the established north of the river, he A brother was the late Dr. could persuade the promoters of north side in 1856 when it filed a plat extending the town to Defi- M.M. Carrothers, a Findlay phy- the new railroad to locate their sician for many years, and member local depot at the point where ance Avenue. Many dwelling places were of the state Legislature at Colum- the line crossed the then Findlay- bus from Hancock County. Perrysburg highway, now North erected in Findlay during the oil Main Street. and gas boom of the late 1880s The desk he used in the legisla- tive halls at Columbus is now in He filed a formal plat with and early 1890s. One of the SERVING FINDLAY the Hancock County Museum. the county recorder, laying out areas where new homes went up what he termed “North Findlay,” especially rapidly was the region Dr. Carrothers became presi- extending from Clinton Court to around Findlay College, which had dent of the Findlay City Council Walnut Street on the east side of its origin in the 1880s. after serving in the state Legisla- what is now North Main Street. An active builder of new dwell- ture. FOR 37 YEARS!! The eastern boundary was to be the first alley east of Clinton Street. House of Awards The promoters of the railroad included Squire Carlin, Findlay’s & Shoes first merchant, and David Cory, son of Elnathan Cory who had 209 S. Main St. Findlay • 419-422-7776 WE ARE READY joined two others — Joseph Vance and William Neil — in originally buying land in 1821 from the fed- eral government to establish the original town of Findlay. FOR MANY MORE! The Rawsons — Dr. Bass Rawson, Findlay’s first physician, and his brother, Dr. Laquineo Rawson — also were interested Proudly serving the Findlay area since 1978, House of in the railroad, which was to run Awards and Shoes is owned by Findlay native Cathy Linhart. between Sandusky and Fremont 419-423-1715 Cathy’s years of experience as an athlete, coach, and business southwest through Fostoria, Find- owner allow her to provide expert advice to all of her customers. lay and Lima and later on into House of Awards & Shoes supplies shoes to several area www.treadwaydeals.com Indiana and Illinois. Dr. Laquineo high schools for many of their sports teams and has sponsored Rawson was to become the rail- many local youth and adult teams. THE COURIER C6 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

DINE IN Gas, oil boom transformed Findlay CARRY OUT DELIVERY By R.L. HEMINGER 5th of December 1884, gas was in eastern Ohio), and engaged in “This was the signal for the Findlay’s Pizza Place For Over 50 Years! struck at a depth of 1,092 feet in the manufacture of edged tools, oil men, who began to come in PIZZA SUBS SALADS The volume entitled “Findlay sufficient quantity to make a flame was the first to locate here. A large to investigate and ended by leas- 5 SIZES 12 KINDS TO 3 TYPES Illustrated,” published in 1889 by 30 feet high when ignited. (The factory was built and two others ing territory and going to work 9”• 12”• 14”• 18”• 21” CHOOSE FROM H.R. Page, tells the story of Find- well site is on the Hancock County have since been added, one for to develop what there was in it, Custom design your own with any Fairgrounds.) the manufacture of chains and the and this led to the discovery of the of our fresh condiments lay’s great boom in a most fascinat- WEST•BEER•LUNCH EAST•BEER/WINE ing manner... It proved the beginning of a other to be used as a rolling mill. largest oil-field yet brought into new era for Findlay. That well “Then came to Findlay the the market. Hours: Sunday-Thursday Hours: Sunday-Thursday “The year 1884 proved an 11:00 am to 11:00 pm 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm eventful one in Findlay,” says was followed by others, until at the Findlay Window Glass Company, “The oil was rank in smell, beginning of the year 1886 there Friday & Saturday Friday & Saturday author Page. “Tales of the finding the Buckeye Glass Company, the and was pronounced good only 11:00 am to 1:00 am 4:00 pm to 1:00 am of natural gas in Pennsylvania and were 17 wells contributing to the Columbia Glass Works, the Find- for fuel purposes — the standard its adaptation to manufacturing supply of the city. January 20th of lay Table Company; all of which maintained it could not be refined, purposes, as well as its adaptabil- this year, the great Karg well was prospered and induced the loca- but it is a satisfaction to announce ity to lighting and heating, had its drilled in, and the wonder of the tion of other works. This occurred that for the past two years that effect of recalling to mind the old age was proclaimed to the world. in 1886, and in this year also came result has been accomplished by gas well of Mr. (Jacob) Carr (on “During all this time there had the wonderful finding of oil. the Peerless Refining Company South Main Street, in which gas been practically no change in the “The fourth well sunk by the whose works are located at Find- was found in drilling for water) .... status of Findlay, but all the while Findlay Gaslight Company, on lay .... (The Peerless later became “Dr. Charles Oesterlin, a people had flocked to see the won- the land of Adams Bros. & Co., the National Refining, and then homeopathic physician, a German derful wells, to make inquiries, developed the fact that there was the property of Ashland Oil.) by birth and a man of great cul- and to talk about its applicabil- oil in this field. The well had a “Today (1889), the refined ture, had always maintained that ity to manufacturing purposes. fine flow of gas, but having been (Findlay) oil is selling in the there were illimitable quantities But after the great Karg well had drilled below the cautionary line, market along with Pennsylvania of gas underlying this locality. He been struck and its frightful capac- had shown with the gas a spray oil, and even an expert cannot tell was anxious to experiment, and at ity advertised to the world, the of oil; this increased to such an which of the two is Ohio oil. The last succeeded in getting enough matter began to crystallize. People extent that a separator had to be latter find added largely to the persons to interest themselves in flocked to the city, and excursion used. The next well, the Matthias, wealth and population of Findlay, “Uncorked” Wine Bar the matter to make a trial. trains were run on all the roads to proved to be a first-class oiler, and but until the fall of 1886 scarcely Wed. & Thurs. 5-9pm Fri. & Sat. 5-10pm “As a consequence, the first see the great monster. when subjected to a shot of nitro- a change had been reached in the well was sunk at a location “H.W. Briggs, then located at glycerine flowed a constant stream price of real property, at least selected by the doctor, and on the New Lisbon (near East Liverpool for days. south of the river.”

Wine Tastings Beer Tastings Fridays 5-7pm Saturdays 5-7pm Lunch Hours Monday - Friday 11am-2pm ÒFlight ÒBeer NightÓ FlightÓ Wednesdays 5-9pm Thursdays 5-9pm Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum WHEN GAS AND OIL were discovered in Findlay starting in 1884, it Flight of 3 Wines $5.00 Taste of all 4 Beers began a new era for the town. By the beginning of 1886, 17 wells had $ 00 been dug (above). That same year, the Great Karg Well was drilled Plus... ½ Off Pizzas on Tap 5. (above right), at the time the largest gas well in the world. Other wells produced crude oil, including the Matthias well, right. The gas and oil attracted business and industry that cemented the city’s reputation as a “boom town.” Below, a group of workers perform maintenance on one of the early wells.

Findlay’s largest selection of fi ne wines and beer!

540 south main street, Þ ndlay, ohio ph 419.424.0391 monday-saturday 10am-7pm www.Þ ndlaywinemerchant.com Factories attracted to city 83 YEARS 1929-2012 By R.L. HEMINGER (were) transformed into building “Many new blocks have been lots and dotted with elegant homes. added to the city, among them the Thank You Findlay! The city’s rapid expansion “The immense works of the Blackford Block, the Marvin Block, and development in the oil and Lagrange Rolling Mill Company the Morrison Block, the Edwards “Many Faces.... gas boom of the late 1880s are were located at this point, along Block, the Union Block, and others Many Friends” described interestingly in the H.R. the line of the (Western and Lake of less note. Page volume, “Findlay Illustrated,” Erie Railroad) at the intersection “To meet the vast growth of the of the (Mahoning line). The Chain published in 1889. city has kept the school board busy, and Cable Works, Moores Chair The boom struck first north of and last year (1888) there were the Blanchard River and property Factory, Vinton’s Brass and Steel Works, and other manufacturing six magnificent school buildings began to advance in price rapidly erected in different parts of the city as factories began to locate there, establishments were located at this point, and dwellings sprang up as and this year arrangements have attracted by the city’s offer of free been made to still further enlarge natural gas. if by magic. “It was during this time of the school facilities by the construc- “But a few months later ... excitement, also, that the Carnahan tion of other buildings. In this way, presto!” wrote author Page. “New addition was laid out and the Ohio $100,000 has been put into new additions were being laid out on all Window Glass Company located, buildings.” 125 E. Front St., Findlay - 419-422-8945 (l)ands and property was chang- the Blanchard Avenue Street Car ing hands at a rapid rate and at Line was projected and has become very advanced figures. It was the a fixed fact. coming of the boom of 1887, a “The following establishments period which will be ever remem- also were located during that bered as the culmination of the season, and are now flourishing Congratulations Findlay speculative fever which involved in and prosperous institutions, adding its sway, men, women and children. population and wealth to the city th “Everybody was infected; those and the general prosperity of the who lived in Findlay and those who country: The Wetherald Wire Nail on Your 200 Birthday came to look on and see the sights Works, the Hirsh-Ely Glass Works, were equally victims .... Fortunes the Findlay Hydraulic Pressed were made in a day or a week. Brick Works, the Findlay Iron and Among those who had the fever Steel Works, the American Alumi- worst were a number of ladies, num Works, the Peerless Refining Blanchard Valley Veterinary Clinic and they proved to be equal to the Company, and the immense Bell & occasion, for when the boom was Co.’s Pottery Works. 1930 N. Main St.• Findlay over and the fever had subsided, “Not yet in full operation, but they found themselves to be in to be by September, will be the much better circumstances than Bellaire Goblet Works, the larg- Findlay’s Only Locally Owned Veterinary Clinic ever before. est in the United States, recently “During its continuance, almost destroyed by fire, but now rebuild- every day saw new additions plat- ing larger and better than ever, the Founded in 1946 by Dr. Gene Kandel, Retired ted and laid out for sale and the Dalzell and Company’s magnificent Council Committee on ‘plats and establishment, the Model Glass parks’ was kept busy examining the Works, the Bottle Works, Lippen- plats of the new additions offered cott’s immense Glass Chimney Fac- and marking up reports upon the tory, and the vast American Nail same until nearly all the territory and Machine Company’s Works. involved in the township — four by “To these may be added a six miles — was added to the tax- number of Brick Yards, a large able property of the corporation. Excelsior Works, Lime Kilns, “It was during this great boom Planing Mills, Lumber Yards and that the West Park addition was other branches of business, each of laid out, the Lima street car line which add to the number of sources Dr. Tony Fuller Dr. Melissa James was built and the Mahoning and of employment and contribute their Western Railroad was inaugurated proportion to the rapidly growing with Duma and the farmlands of that locality population of the city. THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL C7 1900: Findlay catches breath after boom days

By J. STEVEN DILLON in Findlay then, 29 physicians and new century, Findlay became the EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR 52 attorneys. Pattersons Depart- home of the firm’s offices. William McKinley was presi- ment Store, Thomas Jewelers, Other longtime businesses dent, the Cake Walk was the most Central Drug, and Fenstermaker that were oper ating in Findlay at fashionable dance, and Sigmund Shoes were among the downtown the turn of the century included Freud’s paper, “Interpreta tion of businesses. Thomas Jewelers, Ohio Bank, Dreams,” was released. There were also nine restau- Hancock Brick and Tile (later Asa S. Bushnell was Ohio’s rants and eight hotels, including Hancor), all of which started in governor, Col. Ralph D. Cole was the Arlington on North Main 1887, and the Chamberlain Car- Hancock County’s representative Street, the American on the court- tridge and Target works, later to the state Legislature, and Erwin house square and the Benton, at Remington Arms (1889). E. Ewing was the Hancock County Front and Main. The Findlay Courier, first sheriff. Charles E. Watson was There were seven liveries and established in 1836, was one of Findlay’s mayor. four banks, including Ohio Bank eight daily or weekly newspapers Roasted coffee and bacon were and First National, which would being published in the city in 1900. both 10 cents a pound, maple syrup eventually become Fifth Third. As a result of the boom activ- 25 cents a quart, and the Findlay As is the case today, agricul- ity, Findlay was said to have later Daily Courier three cents an issue. ture was a major business in the en joyed many of the benefits found One could buy a chinchilla jacket coun ty. at the time only in larger cities. at a local clothier for $5.98 and a Wheat, corn and oats were the The center of Findlay’s busi- night at the Phoenix Inn cost $2. main crops then, but all kinds of ness district during the latter Local residents had just voted fruits and vegetables were grown years of the 1800s was the three- to build a new high school on here and could be found in local story Glass Block, located at the West Main Cross Street, and the grocery stores, according to news- corner of West Sandusky and Ohio Oil Co., which later became papers and a 1910 history of the South Main streets. The building Photos provided by known as Marathon, was among area. featured an extensive line of mer- Hancock Historical Museum busi nesses establishing what Hancock County hadn’t chandise, from rugs to clothing to PATTERSON DEPT. would be long roots in the com- always been so suitable for farm- jewelry, and food was available. It STORE (above) was munity. ing, though. The problem of wet, had a sparkling fountain in the among the many The year was 1899, and Find- swampy fields wasn’t eliminated middle of the store that became businesses operating lay was about to enter the 20th until near the end of the 19th cen- a popular meeting place for many in Findlay at the turn centu ry. tury, after the area’s enterprising in the city. of the century. The gas According to “Findlay, The farmers tiled nearly every field in The first movie houses also boom brought about a Story of a Community” by Wil- the county. started to appear in Findlay rise in crime, and the city liam D. Humphrey, the pace of The turn of the century found early in the 20th century. One responded by forming a life in Hancock County at the Findlay working to meet the needs could see the latest thriller for a Police Department in 1888 turn of the century was consider- of those who stayed after the gas nickel shortly after the turn of the (left). By 1900, the force ably less hectic than it had been and oil days. century at the Victory or Mystic numbered 16 offi cers. in the 1880s and 1890s, when the A rise in crime during the boom theaters. discovery of natural gas and then days resulted in the formation of The Joy House was the city’s oil here had turned a village into a city Police Department in 1888, most notable hotel during the gas a city al most overnight. and by 1900 the police force num- heyday and was the place visiting Findlay’s population in 1880 bered 16 officers, nearly the same celebrities would stay while in the start of the new century. stood at 4,633 but had mush- as the Fire Department, which Findlay. street as far south as Third Street. Residents traveled city streets Tuition was $10 in those days, and roomed by 1890 to 18,553. By then had two engine houses. The Blanchard River was a Those traveling south on Main by horse, carriage, bike and later tennis was the most popular sport 1900, census figures placed the Natural gas was still plentiful well-traveled waterway in those then would have seen many of the by streetcar. on campus, according to Richard local population at 17,613, mark- in 1900, though more costly than days. The city had its own navy, same residences found today. The first streetcars, pulled by ing the first decline in population in the preceding decades when it which ran a fleet of boats to trans- Historian Linda Paul, who has mules, arrived in the early 1880s Kern’s “Findlay College, The First since Fort Findlay was built on the was practically given away, and port people from the Main Street done extensive research into local and created the need for a new Hundred Years.” banks of the Blanchard River in the city also had electricity and bridge to Riverside Park. residential architecture, said near- bridge over the Blanchard River By New Year’s Day 1900 , the 1812. its first telephone lines by then. While most factories were ly all of the homes were painted in 1889. city was in the midst of making At the turn of the century, Find- Water mains had been con- locat ed on the city’s north side and white, a color that became popu- The Findlay Railway, the larg- plans for the construction of the lay was no longer a boom town. structed throughout the city in the central business district was lar after the “White City” was fea- est of three street railway compa- first public building of the new Most of the glass factories that 1889 and pumped water to homes con fined mostly to a four-block tured as part of the 1883 World’s nies, used more than 500 mules century, a new high school build- came when cheap natural gas from a waterworks on the Blan- area north and south of the river, Fair in Chicago. and horses. In 1891, the company ing to replace the old Central be came available had closed, and chard River near Riverside Park. homes were springing up in virtu- It wasn’t until later in the 20th switched from animals to electric- school on East Sandusky Street. many of the oil workers left for Later, in 1904, the city turned to ally all directions by 1900. century that many of Findlay’s ity, making Findlay one of the first Voters had approved a levy of new fields which had been discov- the Limestone Ridge, east of Find- The most glamorous residences grand Victorian homes began to communities in Ohio to introduce $50,000 in November 1899 for the ered in Illinois. lay, for its water, leading more had first appeared along Sandusky show colored paint. an electric system. new school, and it was completed But Findlay did not exactly turn people to abandon their private Street, known originally as Back Visitors to Findlay in the late By 1900, Findlay was also con- in August 1901 at a final cost of into a ghost town after the boom wells. Street, and were constructed pri- 1800s came primarily by train, the nected to the outside world with just over $54,000. period, either. The finding of oil One of the industries to estab- marily for merchant owners. Lat er city being served by four rail roads. three electric interurban lines, The new Central school, which enabled the community to hold lish itself near the turn of the cen- the city’s elite built along South The railroads also provided sum- which linked the city to Toledo, was built on Main Cross Street, much of its gain, R.L. Heminger tury was the Ohio Oil Co., which Main Street. mertime day trips to such popular Fostoria and Lima. Those lines served as the city’s only high wrote in his book, “Across the turned out to be one of the main While the west side of Main Lake Erie destinations as Cedar continued operation here until school until the present one was Years in Findlay and Hancock anchors of the community. The was built up first with homes (the Point, Put-In-Bay and Lakeside. driven out by the automobile. opened on Broad Avenue in 1963. County.” company had its origin in Lima east side was still being farmed), Many of Findlay’s primary Findlay College, now the Uni- A business directory from 1897 in 1887 when oil was developing by the turn of the century homes streets had been paved with brick versity of Findlay, had already Dillon: 419-427-8423 showed there were still 10 saloons in northwestern Ohio. Early in the could be found on both sides of the by 1900. graduated 11 classes of students by [email protected] St. Andrew’s United Methodist REACHING OUT! Church 9:00 AM SUNDAY WORSHIP 120 West Sandusky Street BROADCAST ON RADIO (1330 AM) www.saumcfi ndlay.org Serving the Findlay Community since 1822 “Love God, Love Others, Serve the World...Change Lives”

Community Dinners Since 2001 Children’s Ministry The Big Dream THE COURIER C8 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 Happy Birthday Findlay! 1900-1910: Oil and agriculture 1812-2012 keep Findlay’s economy going www.hitchingsinsurance.com By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF 717 N. Main St., Findlay • 419-423-9145 STAFF WRITER The first decade of the 20th cen tury dawned with great hope and promise. The New York Times said: “We step upon the threshold of 1900 %HOOD¥V*LIWV ... facing a still brighter dawn of 214 W. Front Street civilization.” The Cheyenne Sun-Leader: Celebrating Findlay Ohio “Never has a year been ushered in with more promise.” Gift giving around the Corner so are We As it turned out, those really (behind Central Middle School) were “good old days.” The Wright Brothers made the first successful airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. Henry Ford introduced the Model T, the first affordable automo bile. Photos provided by Robert E. Peary planted the Hancock Historical Museum American flag at the North Pole. THREE ELECTRIC street car The turn of the century also lines debuted on the streets brought significant advances to of Findlay (above) in the early Findlay. 1900s. “Interurban” cars carried Oil, which had been discovered passengers and freight between 20 years earlier, was responsible Findlay and area towns. Riverside for much of the community’s prog- Park also continued to develop ress during this period. and debuted a popular ride called An important event for the Shoot-the-Chute. Flat-bot tomed city’s future occurred early in boats carried passengers down a Located Downtown Great Parking! the decade when Ohio Oil Co. 75-foot-tall chute into the water at consolidated its Oil City, Pa., and the north end of the old reservoir. Findlay offices, making Findlay But tragedy struck just fi ve weeks the gen eral headquarters. This after the ride opened. One of the decision brought a large number boats tipped over and Clark G. of employees and their families to Sponsler of North Baltimore was the community, which boasted a killed. The ride was closed. population of 17,613 during the early 1900s. City of Findlay, the ancestor of Main Street bridge to Riverside Oldfield exhibited his skills at the “I think Ohio Oil kept the town Blanchard Valley Hospital, was Park. A large boat called the Pas- Findlay Driving Park which was going when local natural gas wells rebuilt after the South Main Street time was the queen of the fleet. located on Tiffin Avenue, across petered out,” said Paulette Weiser, structure was gutted by fire in The paddle-wheeler could trans- from Riverside Park. At the time, former curator/archivist at the 1899. The French Home, as it was port up to 250 passengers at a Oldfield held the title of the world’s Hancock Historical Museum. known, actually started during the time. The smokestack of the ship champion auto driver. He broke “People thought the gas would gas boom as the Findlay Home for was hinged so that it could be his own record while in Findlay, last forever. They never thought Friendless Women and Children folded down while passing under covering the one-mile course in it would end,” she said. “Ohio to help unwed mothers and their bridges. one minute and 6¾ seconds. Oil kept things going — that and children. Motion pictures made their In politics, Ralph D. Cole of agriculture were the basis for the The source of the city’s water debut at the park’s House of Mirth Findlay was elected to represent economy at that time.” supply changed in the early 1900s. in 1907. The building was a former the 8th Congressional District. He The company purchased the Instead of relying on private wells dancing pavilion that was moved went on to serve three terms in Full Bar & Extensive Wine List Presbyterian Church property at for homes, and the Blanchard to the park from Mortimer, and Congress, losing the nomination the corner of South Main and East River for firefighting, city offi- seats were purchased from the for a fourth term to Frank B. Willis Findlay’s Premiere Catering Service Hardin streets. The old church cials acquired a number of arte- Grand Theater on North Main of Ada, who later became governor was replaced with a three-story sian wells on Limestone Ridge and Street. of Ohio. Gift Certificates • Gift Baskets of fice b uilding. pumped the water nine miles west One of the park’s more popular The Buckeye Traction Ditcher 407 S. Main Street, Downtown Findlay to Findlay. Water was piped into amusements, for a brief time, was Wolf: 419-427-8419 Co. also was established in Find- the waterworks plant on McMan- called Shoot-the-Chute. Flat-bot- [email protected] 419-425-4900 • www.findlaybistro407.com lay early in the decade. It became ness Avenue and from there to the tomed boats carried passengers the largest tile ditching and con- city mains. down a 75-foot-tall chute into the struction trenching company for The new water supply gave water at the north end of the old nearly 50 years. About 700 Buck- Findlay a new slogan: “The city reservoir. But tragedy struck just Proudly Serving Findlay & the Surrounding Area for eye steam traction ditchers were of pure water and low taxes.” five weeks after the ride opened. built and shipped from Findlay Several prominent physicians One of the boats tipped over and 67 YEARS! be fore 1 910. and capitalists considered erecting Clark G. Sponsler of North Bal- Many construction projects a large sanitarium in the city and timore was killed. The ride was The OAS Since 1945 were completed during the decade. making Findlay a health resort, lat er closed and dismantled. Ohio Findlay’s first high school us ing the pure spring water as a The city’s first chautauqua was building was finished on West selling point. held at the park in 1906. Admis- Main Cross Street, currently the “Since this Limestone Ridge sion for the week’s worth of cul- Automotive Supply Co. site of Central Middle School, at water is being used in the city tural entertainment was $2.50 a cost of $54,277. High school there has been so little sickness for adults and $1.25 for children. classes previously had met on AUTOMOTIVE & FLEET SPECIALISTS that if it were not for the many Speakers included Sen. Robert The Standard is Quality the third floor of the old Central old grannies who think that they LaFollette, Toledo Mayor Brand School building on East Sandusky are sick and having nothing but Whitlock and labor leader Eugene Street. Voters approved construc- the hysterics, I and many of my V. D ebs. Your Nationally Known, Large Inventory of Auto - Truck - Farm Parts tion of the new school building in brother practitioners would On the city’s west side, Byal Locally Owned Foreign & Domestic 1899, and the first classes were starve,” said a South Main Street Park was established as a site Heavy Duty Springs & U-Bolts, Hydraulics held there in 1901. NAPA Store physician in 1908. for religious gatherings in 1900. Hoses & Paint Specialists In a related matter, the high The interurban lines made The property was located in the school obtained its first perma- their debut during the decade. vicini ty of Hurd and West McPher- 525 W. Main Cross, Findlay 419-422-1655 www.ohioautomotive.com nent athletic field on a strip of land Three electric street car lines son avenues and Stadium Drive. east of the Main Street bridge. were financed and developed with Lead ers of a religious associa- High school students raised $350 Find lay as the hub. The lines car- tion announced plans to erect a Swan House Tea Room, to pay for the lease on the land. ried passengers and freight to and number of buildings there, includ- The site was originally used by the from Toledo, Lima, Wapakoneta, ing a ho tel. Wyandot Indians for games and Cygnet, Maumee, Dayton, North Findlay residents were treated Café & Gíft Shoppe contests. Later, the “Wigwam” Baltimore, Bowling Green, Fos- to other entertainment as well. stood there. That 3,000-seat struc- toria and Pemberville. The Majestic Theater was built ture served as an opera house from Proper Tea: 11:00am or 1:00pm Swan House is located on historic Sandusky Street in A special ceremony was held in 1906 on South Main Street downtown Findlay, Ohio. The prestigious Victorian 1887 until it was razed in 1893. Dec. 30, 1905, when a golden spike for stage shows. The Mystic and Tuesday-Saturday (By Reservation) The YMCA, which had been was driven at the corner of South the Victory were among the early Italianate, built in 1865, was the home of the Peter located in the Cass Block on Main and Lima streets to com plete si lent film houses. Lunch: 11:30am-1:30pm Hosler family for half a century. For the next 80 years South Main Street, purchased the connecting of electric railway A growing interest in the game Tuesday-Friday the house hosted Mrs. Foresman’s Tea Room, medical two lots at East Sandusky and systems of Ohio, Michigan, Indi- of golf prompted the beginnings practices, and fi nally was converted into multiple Beech streets in 1902. The public ana and Pennsylvania. The act of the Findlay Country Club in Gift Shoppe: 10:00am-3:00pm occupancy apartments. In 1998, the property was donated $25,000 to renovate an joined some 70 interurban lines 1908-09. The organization pur- purchased by three ladies and restored into the Swan existing brick house at the site. A with a total of 3,700 miles, rep- chased land in Findlay Heights Tuesday-Saturday House as it is today. large gymnasium and swimming resenting an investment of $100 on the Blanchard River. A small pool were added the following year million. clubhouse was erected and a nine- for $30,000. Let us pamper you and help you plan your next special event! Hancock County was voted dry hole golf course was laid out at the Owner Bev Robb The 20-year-old Findlay (the sale of intoxicating beverages site. munici pal building on Court and was prohibited) in 1908 un der In 1909, race car driver Barney 225 W. Sandusky St., Findlay 419-429-SWAN swanhousetearoomandcafe.com Broad way was replaced early in the Rose law, which had just been the 1900s. Throughout its con- enacted in Ohio and allowed coun- struction, the new building caused ties to vote to outlaw the sale of 1809 S. Main Street, Findlay, Ohio headaches for the city fathers. The liquor. dis covery of quicksand under the Findlay also was made a first- William J. Kibbey, DDS www.drkibbey.com • 419-423-7315 north end of the building required class post office in 1909 when additional work. In April 1902, a postal receipts topped the $40,000 Findlay’s Choice for Comprehensive Dental Care. taxpayers’ suit was filed to stop mark. the project. Then the cornerstone The Findlay Publishing Co. Dr. Kibbey provides advanced General and Cosmetic Dentistry. was misplaced. was organized in 1904. The old When the building was finally weekly Jeffersonian newspaper Dr. Kibbey has been Findlay’s premier choice for general dentistry, occupied, the wiring was insuf- was merged with the Weekly cosmetic dentistry, and implant dentistry since 1978. Choosing the right ficient to carry the load, and the Republican under the name floors developed cracks. The elec- dentist for yourself or family can be a daunting task. You probably want a Republican-Jeffersonian. The dentist well-versed in a variety of services who has a long-standing reputation tric lights were removed and gas Morning Repub lican newspaper lights installed, to be replaced continued as a daily, and the eve- for excellence. With services ranging from invisible braces to Botox and sometime later by electric lights ning Jeffersoni an continued as a dermal fillers to IV sedation, your family can rely on Dr. Kibbey for state- again. separate paper until Jan. 1, 1911, of-the-art dental care in an environment where they feel confident and relaxed. The Home and Hospital of the when it was discontinued. Meet our staff... Riverside Park came into being Services: during the early 1900s at the city’s original waterworks area. The • General Dentistry Fireworks blast resort was named in a contest • Cosmetic Dentistry kills 7 people conducted by the Morning Repub- • Sapphire Teeth Whitening Proudly lican newspaper and soon became • Porcelain Veneers & Lumineers a popular site with residents. The • Porcelain Crowns Serving Findlay Tragedy struck Findlay park featured amusement rides, in 1904 when seven people boats and concessions. • Orthodontics & Invisible Braces Since 1978! were killed in an explosion “I don’t think people realize the • Root Canal Therapy at the Lake Shore Novelty significance the park had when it • Dental Implants Works. was new. I think it would rival • IV Sedation Dentistry Employees were busy Ce dar Point today,” said Weiser. mak ing fireworks for “There were so many things to • Replacement Teeth • Dentures & Partials Call today for Indepen dence Day. Much of do,” she said. “People came from Back Row: Ashley David, Margaret Potteiger, western Findlay was shaken miles around to go to the park.” • Oral Surgery a Courtesy Dr. William J. Kibbey, Teresa Grine, Jodi Young by the blast. In the days before automobiles, • Botox & Dermal Fillers Consultation. Front Row: Laura Wagner, Diana Gray, Betty Peterson boats carried visitors from the THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL C9 1910-1920: Change was on the horizon

At least 4 companies made cars or trucks in city Photos provided by Hancock Historical Museum By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF increased here and abroad. The Findlay, met in Paris to found the THE FLOOD OF STAFF WRITER line expanded to include a six- American Legion. John Han cock 1913 started on The decade of the 1910s began cylinder coupe, a cabriolet and a Post 3 was formed here soon after. Easter Sunday when quietly enough. rac ing c ar. The post was later renamed for 6-10 inches of rain But change was on the horizon. By 1916, Grant officials Cole, in recognition of his role in fell on the area, Within a few years, World War an nounced that the company had starting the organization. causing every major I would begin, and the calm that outgrown its quarters in Findlay. The city received an interest- river and stream to had ushered in the 20th century Operations were moved to Cleve- ing piece of history in 1913 — the escape its banks. The would disappear. land, where the firm dissolved in bathtub from the U.S. battleship following Tuesday, Findlay entered the decade the early 1920s. Maine. The ship sank after an all of Findlay’s Main with a population of 14,858, its The Findlay Carriage Co. explosion in the Havana, Cuba Street was under lowest since 1890. The develop- entered the automotive field in har bor in 1898, triggering the 1 to 4 feet of water ment of oil interests in Indiana and 1909 after producing carriages start of the Spanish-American and hundreds of Illinois was blamed, in part, for and buggies for 17 years. The War. Once the ship was raised in people were trapped drawing men and families away firm’s first vehicle was called 1912, requests for relics poured in second-story from the area. the Supe rior and operated at in to the White House and War buildings without City leaders, believing that speeds up to 60 mph. The com- Depart ment. heat, electricity, food more jobs would mean greater pany continued in business until Congressman Frank B. Willis or water. Property prosperity for the community, fire destroyed its West Crawford of Ohio originally secured the damage alone spent the period working to build Street plant in 1916. bathtub for the city of Urbana. reached $1 million. Findlay’s industrial base. A related business came to Citizens there were less than The popularity of a newfangled Findlay from Akron. The M&M enthusiastic, so Willis offered mode of transportation called the Co. had started by making tire the tub to Find lay. The cast iron automobile had a remarkable patches, cement and repair kits for memento was placed in a special effect on the country. People could bicycles. The name was changed case and displayed at the court- travel farther and faster, thanks to to Giant Tire Co. and operations house for years. Henry Ford. At least four compa- moved to Findlay in 1917. In civic matters, Findlay’s tax 1913: Damaging fl ood nies manufac tured motor vehicles The new firm manufactured rate fell to a new low in 1914. The in Findlay for a time. rebuilt tires on Western Avenue, rate was 6.2 mills, the lowest By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF flooded by one to four feet of water. At that period of time, there utilizing a four-story building in Ohio. Findlay’s new slogan STAFF WRITER One person died in the disaster, Weiser said. were hundreds and hundreds of that had once housed a lantern be came, “Lowest tax rate and Police Capt. Albert McGown lost his life while try- company. Fire destroyed the origi- purest water in the state.” One of the major events in local history was car manufacturers, said Paulette the flood of 1913. ing to rescue a couple on East Main Cross Street. Weiser, former curator/archi- nal plant, which was rebuilt. A local liquor option stirred the When his boat sank, McGown went whirling in I.J. Cooper of Cincinnati joined public’s interest that same year. “It was the worst flood, I think, in the state’s vist at the Hancock Historical history,” said Paulette Weiser, former curator/ the current on East Street, unable to maneuver Museum. Most were short-lived. the company and the first all-new The county had been dry for six be cause of his heavy rubber boots and clothing. tire was made in the new plant years when the state Rose law was archivist at the Hancock Historical Museum. The Adams Brothers Co. made The rain started early Easter Sunday morning His body was not found until the water began to trucks in Findlay for about six in 1919 under the name of the repealed. That law had allow ed re cede. Cooper Corp. counties to decide whether to and continued until 6-10 inches had fallen, caus- years. The company, located on ing flooding along nearly every major stream in Property damage reached $1 million in Find- Ohio Oil Co. continued to be allow the sale of liquor. The dry West Main Cross Street just east the state. lay, while damage to county roads and bridges was of Hurd Avenue, had been in the a driving force in the community. forces circulated petitions call- es timated at $65,000. J.C. Donnell was elected president ing for a new vote on the issue Before the week was over, more than 100 cities foundry business several decades “I think the community can consider itself of the company in 1911. in 1914. The campaign sparked were under water, 367 Ohioans were dead and before it entered the automotive thousands were homeless. Damage totaled $143 lucky. Damage was great, but in terms of life, field. The decade also saw a number intense interest among citizens. As a result of the election, Findlay million. there was only one death,” Weiser said. “Other In early 1911, six Adams trucks of other industries begin opera- communities lost more people. In the big cities tions in Findlay. Among them remained a dry community until Findlay was one of the cities caught in the were taken to an automobile show flood. like Cincinnati and Columbus, hundreds were lost. in Chicago. The vehicles received was the Continental Sugar Co., 1933. Water from the Blanchard River invaded all of It was terrible.” an enthusiastic response, and which built a refinery southwest The first county road pave- the downtown businesses and trapped hundreds Findlay residents also endured a blizzard demand for the Findlay-made of town along the Nickel Plate ments were laid during the of people in second-story buildings without heat, in 1917. The temperature dropped to minus 8 product steadily increased. The Railroad in 1911. The same year, decade. The Dixie Highway, which electricity, food or water. By Tuesday morning, degrees, and high winds combined with 10 inches assembly plant moved into larger the Deisel-Wemmer Co. began connected Michigan and Florida, all of Main Street as far south as Lima Street was of snow to create drifts 8-10 feet tall. quarters on Putnam Street. By producing handmade cigars here. was among the first to be hard-sur- 1917, however, truck production A new plant was constructed at faced. Brick was used over most of ceased and the company moved 214 Broadway. the route. into the production of automobile Findlay and Hancock County The coast-to-coast Lincoln was built to replace an outdated Findlay at the northwest corner The following year, Findlay’s axles. re sponded patriotically to the High way also was officially routed structure west of the city, and an of South Main and West Front Ray Harroun won the first India- The Findlay Motor Car Co. pro- na tion’s declaration of war in 1917. through Hancock County for the addition was constructed at the streets.) A replica of the fort was napolis motor speedway race. duced passenger cars from 1910- The local Ohio National Guard first time in 1919. Home and Hospital of the City of built on Broadway, and a number Several celebrities visited Find- 13 in the old Findlay Axe and Tool unit, Co. A of the 2nd Regiment, Findlay’s building boom contin- Findlay. of arches, each bearing 50 electric lay during the decade. President plant at the foot of Santee Avenue. was called into service as part of ued during the decade. With vot- The Fire Department also lights, were constructed across William Howard Taft spoke before Then the company failed, and was Ohio’s 37th Division, and served ers’ approval, Washington and obtained its first motorized vehi- Main Street. The city continued to a crowd of 5,000 people on Park taken over by a group of Detroit with distinction in Belgium and Lincoln schools were constructed cle, a locally-made Adams fire use the arches for some years after Place in 1912, and actress Sarah on other fronts. to replace structures that dated businessmen. For a few years, the truck. the celebration because they were Bernhardt entertained audiences new company manufactured the Back home, residents back to gas boom days. In 1914, Associated Charities attractive and afforded improved at the Marvin Theater in 1917. Grant motor car in Find lay. responded to the country’s appeal The South Park addition, the of Findlay was formed to provide street illumination. That same year, Billy Brock of The Morning Republican news- for war funds. Liberty loan cam- first new addition of any size emergency financial assistance to Hancock County native Tell paper gave a glowing review of paigns were conducted every four in Findlay since the boom, was local and county residents. The Taylor wrote the popular song, Flint, Mich. set his Wright pusher the two-passenger, four-cylinder or five months with successful opened. An ox roast auction was 4-H and Boy Scout programs also “Down by the Old Mill Stream,” plane down at Hobart and Western Grant roadster in November 1913, results. The Red Cross chapter held to launch the sale of lots in were organized. around 1910. Taylor told friends avenues. It was the first recorded saying the car “is believed des- also was organized. The unit’s the area that included Glendale, On the social scene, a week- that the inspiration for the tune landing of a plane in Hancock tined to become one of the sensa- headquar ters were established at Greenlawn and McPherson ave- long celebration marked the came to him while he was seated County. tional bargains of years ahead.” the Elks lodge during the conflict. nues. centennial of the establishment on the bank of the Blanchard The firm did substantial busi- At the end of the war, 20 men, The city also saw progress in of Fort Findlay. (The fort was River, not far from the Findlay Wolf: 419-427-8419 ness and demand for the $425 car including Col. Ralph D. Cole of other areas. A new county home erected in 1812 by Col. James Country Club. [email protected] 1920s were golden years in Findlay

By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF for bringing the Bluffton Manufac- newspaper was sold to the Find- STAFF WRITER turing Co. here in 1928. The com- lay Publishing Co., owner of the The 1920s were golden years pany had outgrown its facilities Morning Republican paper. Both in Findlay. in Bluffton, where it had been news papers continued in business. World War I was over and the locat ed for nearly 30 years. Opera- The Courier offices were moved to post-war depression was brief. It tions were moved into the former the Morning Republican building was not long before the communi ty Adams Axle plant on West Main on Broadway. was back on its feet. Cross Street. The company pro- In the mid-1920s, Ohio Oil Co. duced washing machines, gasoline entered the refining and market- New industry was arriving, the engines and cream separators. school system was expanding and ing field through the purchase of the population, which had dwin- The Central Rubber Reclaim- the Lincoln Oil Refining Co. of dled during the 1910s, returned ing Co., San-A-Pure Dairy and a Robinson, Ill. O.D. DONNELL to the 17,000 mark. Pen ney’s department store also Ohio Oil President J.C. Donnell PLAYS with his The chamber of commerce came to Findlay in the 1920s. died in January 1927 at the age of granddaughter Susan was established at the start of the National Lime and Stone had 72. Donnell’s son, O.D., succeeded (left) at the Findlay decade to take the place of the old its beginnings in the community, him as head of the firm. Country Club in the Findlay Business Men’s Associa- as well. The Hancock Stone Co. In memory of the elder Don- 1940s. With the death tion and Findlay Commerce Club. was purchased by Bluffton and nell, his family erected Donnell of Donnell’s father, “Findlay to the Front” became the Lewisburg Stone, and the name Memorial Stadium on Baldwin J.C. Donnell (above), organization’s war cry. An electric was later changed to National Avenue, adjacent to Donnell in 1927, O.D. stepped sign bearing the slogan was placed Lime and Stone. Middle School. A recreational up as head of the on the Main Street bridge. In 1926, the controlling inter- Ohio Oil Co. The chamber was responsible est in the Findlay Daily Courier See 1920S, Page C10

Thanks For Letting Us Be Part Of Your Community since 1984!

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Photo provided by Hancock Historical Museum BOY SCOUTS pose for a picture in front of the Elks club in the early 1900s. In 1920, a Boy Scouts Council was formed in Findlay and then ex panded to include Hancock, Put nam and Seneca counties. Camp Berry was given to the group in 1928 by Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Berry.

inaugurated on Memorial Day. elec tion issues, following the suc- The Hancock County Chil- cessful ratification of the suffrage 1920s dren’s Home was organized amend ment to the Constitution. early in the decade. In 1925, Until that time, women were only Continued from page C9 voters approved funds for a new allowed to vote for members of children’s home on North Main boards of education. To sharing many area included tennis courts and Street between Stanley and Tioga a wading pool. For many years, Movies with soundtracks, avenues to replace a condemned the “talkies,” came to Findlay in people used the pool’s spring structure in West Park. The facil- water for medici nal purposes. 1928. Owners of the Harris The- ity was used as a receiving home ater announced they had secured Findlay’s public school system more milestones for children until boarding homes exclusive rights to the Vitaphone, had been modernized a few years could be found. described “as the most wonderful earlier with the adoption of a jun- A $50,000 armory was con- device of the century in the field ior-senior high school system. structed late in the 1920s to pro- of synchronizing motion pictures Donnell and Glenwood schools with the people vide quarters for guardsmen of and sound.” were built for seventh, eighth and Company C of the Ohio National ninth grades, and an addition was The first talking pic ture in Guard. Findlay was one of three Findlay’s history was seen and constructed at the senior high for cities approved for armories that older students. heard on Jan. 30 when Metro- and city of Findlay, year by Franklin D. Henderson, politan opera star Martinelli per- Mrs. Charles C. Peale, mother adjutant general of Ohio. The of noted clergyman Dr. Norman formed on film, accompanied by building was located on East a 107-piece symphony orchestra. Vincent Peale, served on the Crawford Street near East Street. school board at the time. She was A week later, the first full-length a great place to At Findlay College, work on a talking movie, “The Jazz Singer” responsible for selecting the mot- new gymnasium was completed. tos that were carved into the faces starring Al Jolson, was shown. The Griffith Memorial Arch also Around 1920, the county fair of the buildings. was erected in memory of Caddie Civic leaders delighted in Find- was moved from the southern edge work and live. A. Griffith, a 1909 graduate who of the city to the Findlay Driving lay’s progress. But the city also taught at the Findlay College suffered from growing pains. Park. A grandstand and racetrack academy and headed the English were already at the site, located The sewage problem had department. She died in 1923. between the Riverside Park be come so bad by the end of World Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.H. reser voir, McManness Avenue War I, the state board of health Grif fith, provided funds for the and Woodworth Drive. The Han- ordered that a disposal plant memorial arch. A few years later, cock County Fair Co. added more be built. Municipal funds were an iron post was embedded in the buildings and held fairs there until not available at the time, so the sidewalk beneath the arch to dis- 1923. A $40,000 debt prevented Your Trusted Recruitment city requested and was granted courage students from driving up the event from opening in 1924. several extensions. In 1927, voters the sidewalk to Old Main on the The decade also marked the Process Outsourcing Partner ... ap proved a $350,000 bond issue “Findlay College Turnpike.” for the plant’s construction. end of the chautauqua movement Several community organiza- in Findlay. The last season was Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The decade also saw the end of tions were established during the held in 1929. the old Findlay, Fort Wayne and decade, including the Rotary and Western Railroad. Findlay was the Kiwanis clubs, and the Camp Fire In 1922, entertainer Tell Taylor eastern terminus of the line. The Girls. left the bright lights of New York depot stood at the corner of Main A Boy Scouts council also and Chicago to return to Hancock and Sixth streets. was formed in Findlay and then County. Taylor lived on the East www.rightthinginc.com Findlay’s first complete air expanded to include Hancock, Sandusky Street farm that he service was established in 1928. Putnam and Seneca counties. The had purchased several years ear- Brothers Harry and Earl Rum- Camp Berry camp south of the city lier for his aged mother. He con- 419-420-1830 mell leased 120 acres of land on was given to the group in 1928 by verted part of land into a public the Benjamin farm southwest of Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Berry. golf course. town. They tore down the house Findlay saw a change in voting and barn, put the field in shape practices in 1920. Women were Wolf: 419-427-8419 and built a hangar. The field was given the right to vote on all [email protected] heyeyGot mom! a buck?celebrating 100 years!

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Kay Lily :HVW0DLQ&URVV6WUHHW Charlie Hazel   Maddie %URDG$YHQXH   ZZZFRPPXQLW\PDUNHWVFRP Wright Annie Annie Ben Maggie Violet THE COURIER MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 BICENTENNIAL C11 Diverse industry helps city weather the Depression

By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF without closing. All employees schoolchildren. STAFF WRITER were given work, although some Night baseball also was inaugu- Freak accident The decade of the 1930s was a had shorter hours, in order to help rated at the park in 1938. as many families as possible. Findlay’s Golden Celebration of dark one in history. Findlay’s Riverside Park Businesses like Tasty Taters, Oil and Gas was held in June 1937. The Roaring Twenties were was the scene of a freak acci- Wilson’s Sandwich Shop and Diet- The weeklong program included over and the Great Depression dent on July 4, 1936. arrived. sch Brothers were founded during a pageant, parade, grand ball, air the decade. An aerial bomb exploded It began on “Black Tuesday,” show, flower show and swimming In addition, the city made a in a crowd of spectators Oct. 29, 1929, the day the stock exhibition at the new pool. number of important civic strides during the annual fireworks market crashed and the nation Harry Botsford was hired to with help from federal govern ment display. One person died began its economic slide. A wave di rect the affair, which took more programs like the Civil Works and 15 others were injured. of bank failures swept the United than a year to plan. O.D. Donnell Administration (CWA), Works States. Jobs were lost. Times were served as general chairman. Progress Administration (WPA) hard. “Probably the only thing to Mar vin Theater on North Main and the Civilian Conserva tion rival this in the scope of (Findlay) The effects of the Depression Corps (CCC). Street, across from Center Street. were far-reaching. his tory was the sesquicentennial For many years, it was one of the “Findlay was able to do a lot of 1962,” said Weiser. “This was Findlay, which had grown to a largest playhouses in this part of because of these programs,” said a major effort. It was huge.” population of 19,363, joined in the Photo provided by Hancock Historical Museum the state. Many prominent stage Paulette Weiser, former curator/ FINDLAY WEATHERED the Great Depression better than most The newly reorganized Han- chaos that enveloped the country. archivist at the Hancock Histori- stars, including Sarah Bernhardt, communities due to its diversity of industry, including Cooper Tire cock County Agricultural Society entertained audiences there. The Buckeye-Commercial Sav- cal Museum. held its first fair in 1938 at the Old ings Bank was the first big local (in the 1940s, above). Despite shorter hours, the tire manufacturer The administration building at Through the government pro- continued to give work to all its employees to help as many families Millstream Fairgrounds on East business to feel the pressure of the grams, a new post office was com- Findlay College was damaged by as possible. Sandusky Street. The property fire in 1938. A financial drive was crash, closing its doors on May 6, pleted on West Main Cross Street. had been owned by Dr. Charles 1930. The bank’s failure brought And the public library which had held to restore the structure. Rummell Airport ceased opera- Oesterlen in 1884 when the first the threat of heavy financial losses been located in the basement of dam. A peninsula of land was sac- Earlier in the decade, the col- tions in 1932, due to the tempo- gas well in Hancock County was to the community. Fortu nately, a the Hancock County Courthouse rificed for the project. In previous lege was admitted to the Ohio rary closing of the Dixie Highway drilled. panic never material ized. for 44 years moved into the former years, it was the site of the Wig- Col lege Association, the North for improvements between Find- There had not been a county The directors of First National- post office building on Broadway. wam opera house, Findlay High Cen tral Association of Colleges School’s athletic field, and summer lay and Bluffton. The airport was fair since 1923. The first perma- American took over the assets A municipal swimming pool at and Secondary Schools, and the chautauqua visits. leased to the city and became nent buildings at the fairgrounds Association of American Colleges. of the closed facility, and the Riverside Park was constructed in included a draft horse barn, which A new Main Street bridge known as the Findlay Airport. Col. Ralph D. Cole of Findlay bank’s resources were eventually 1936, also through a government was obtained from Ebenezer Men- also was built to replace a triple- The Home and Hospital was was elected state commander of re leased. construction pro gram, Weiser nonite Church near Bluffton; a hog span iron bridge that had become re organized in 1938. The name the American Legion in 1932. A Although jobs were scarce, noted. The reservoir which stood barn, purchased from Bluffton’s un safe. The new bridge was dedi- was changed to the Findlay Hos- few years later, Buddy Chapter 43 Findlay on the whole weathered on the site was removed earlier, Mennonite Reformed Church; and cated in 1935, in memory of the pital. of the Disabled American Veter ans the period better than many com- after a new waterworks plant was an old office building from the Fos- community’s war heroes. was organized in Findlay. munities because of its diverse built in 1931 on North Blanchard Work also started on a new toria Board of Edu cation. in dustry. In fact, some local busi- Street. A CCC camp was established YMCA building on East San- A notable death occurred Streetcars were discontinued during the decade. Songwriter nesses thrived during the 1930s. “Some of the brick from the the same year across the river dusky Street. Early in the decade, in Findlay and the surrounding Ohio Oil Co., whose activities pump station was used in the bath- from Rawson Park. At its peak, a three-way finan cial drive was and enter tainer Tell Taylor died communities during the 1930s. in Chicago in 1937. At the time, were expanding rapidly through- house,” said Weiser. “They were the camp housed 218 men from organized to benefit the YMCA, Both the city line which traversed out the United States, completed recycling. Money was scarce.” Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. Camp Fire Girls and Boy Scouts. Taylor was on his way to Holly- al most the entire distance of Main wood to discuss a movie based on a new six-story office building The city’s new sewage disposal It remained in operation until The Findlay Civic Music Street, and the three interurban at South Main and East Hardin plant was built in 1932-33 at the shortly before the close of the Associ ation was formed, and a his popular song, “Down By the lines, two going to Toledo and one Old Mill Stream.” The Hancock streets in 1930. site of the Hydraulic Pressed decade. new 1,500-seat auditorium was to Lima, were abandoned because The company was able to keep Brick Co. on Western Avenue. It Although the effects of the erected at Central High School County native was buried in Van of too much competition from Horn Cemetery, west of Vanlue. its entire force at work during the was necessary to straighten and De pression lasted until the late to replace a turn-of-the-century motor vehicles. Depression and even added 1,200 widen the Blanchard River when 1930s, local conditions began to structure. Two major fires also were people to its staff in 1933 in an the plant was built. The original improve a few years earlier. In 1932, the community joined noted. Wolf: 419-427-8419 ef fort to provide jobs. plant later proved inadequate and A new State Highway Patrol with the rest of the nation in A 1930 blaze destroyed the [email protected] By 1932, Cooper Tire & Rubber a second disposal unit was added barracks was opened on North ob serving the 200th anniversary Co. announced that its future was in 1936. Main Street, and the first roadside of the birth of George Washing- looking brighter. Increased prod- The river was straightened park in Ohio was constructed on ton. A replica of the Washington uct demand allowed the business again in 1933 near Main Street, U.S. 68 near the Ohio 15 inter- monu ment was erected at River- CONGRATULATIONS to operate throughout the year just west of the Liberty Street change. side Park with funds provided by FINDLAY 1940s: Community joins war effort ON 200 YEARS! By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF for the peace which has now finally as president in 1948. He was programs, including mosquito and THANK YOU FOR 39 STAFF WRITER come to the world, we give grate- succeed ed by his son, J.C. Don- fly control and a midget football The country went to war again ful thanks.” nell II, the third generation of the league. WONDERFUL YEARS! during the decade of the 1940s. For two days, all business was Donnell family to head the firm. Findlay’s growing population Americans were still strug- suspended in the city while the The company also leased the put a strain on the city’s schools. gling through a severe economic community prayed and celebrated. Findlay Airport from the city in Voters approved building Whit- depression when the Japanese A memorial was later placed in 1946. tier, McKinley, Jefferson and MARVIN MOTORS bombing of Pearl Harbor led the Maple Grove Cemetery to honor Central Rubber and Steel Co. North view elementary schools to United States into World War II the dead of both world wars. purchased the old Bluffton Manu- re place four older structures. The 600 N. Main St. • Findlay in De cember 1941. The following year, the local facturing Co. in 1943. During modern one-floor design was a The necessity of building up post of the Veterans of World the war, production of wash- drastic departure from traditional 419-422-1083 the nation’s defenses helped bring War II, nicknamed the AMVETS, ing ma chines and stokers was school architecture of the day. was formed. It officially became discontinued while the company Meanwhile, Winebrenner ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ about the end of the Depression. ★★ However, it also made economic Robert R. Kelley Post 21 in mem- manufactured parts for the armed Theo logical Seminary was estab- CHAMBERS FAMILY CELEBRATING ory of Hancock County’s first war forces. Afterward, the firm con- lished as a branch of Findlay Col- ★★ and civic advancement difficult. ★★ In Findlay, progress was put on casualty. centrated its efforts on domestic lege. Classes were held in Old ★★SEVEN GENERATIONS IN THIS AREA hold while the community concen- With the war over, Findlay pre- wringer-type washing machines. Main. ★★★ trated on the war effort. pared to move forward. The Buckeye Traction Ditcher The Findlay Country Club ★★DuWayne ★ Douglas Members of the Ohio National The population reached Co. became part of Gar Wood sustained major damage in an ★★Chambers, CPA ★ Chambers, Guard including the local unit 20,228, and the city experienced In dustries in 1945. Easter Sunday fire in 1943. The ★★★ a housing shortage. Construction Other smaller industries blaze broke out just as the noon ★★★ Owner were training at Camp Shelby in ★★Professional ★ Mississippi when Pearl Harbor of new homes began on an exten- located in Findlay during the dinner was being served. A new siveb asis. post- war years, including Central ★★★ and the Philippines were attacked. club house was later built. Management & Chambers Home The first industry to come to Oil As phalt, Clark Cramer Vault ★★★ Guardsmen were assigned to the Several other fires also town after the war was National Co., Findlay Engraving, Findlay ★★Tax Services ★ Improvement, LLC Pacific Theater where they served occurred during the decade, ★★★ Automotive Fibers of Detroit. The Pattern Works, Findlay Provision including a blaze in 1946 at the 601 Tiffi n Ave. with distinction. ★★★ 812 Franklin Ave company built a plant just north of Co., Hancock Diesel, the Hancock National Refinery which killed As part of the nation’s defense ★★★ the State Highway Patrol bar racks Machine Co., House of Guest, three men. The following year, Serving program, Congress instituted a ★★★ Serving and began production of interior Hubbard Press, R.L. Kuss & Co. fire caused damage to four stores, ★ new system of selective service ★★ trim for the automobile industry. and Ohio Conveyor and Supply. 13 offices, a lodge hall, restaurant FINDLAY ★ which made the military compul- ★★FINDLAY Gov. Thomas J. Herbert attended Miller’s Luncheonette opened and billard parlor in the 300 block ★★Since 1974 ★ Since 1992 sory for young men. Locally, two the dedication. on North Main Street. of South Main Street. ★★ draft boards were set up, one Ohio Oil’s general offices were In 1946, the Junior Chamber WFIN radio went on the air ★★GOD BLESS FINDLAY, OHIO for Findlay and one for Hancock enlarged during the decade to of Commerce was organized for in 1941. A permit for an FM sta- ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ County. A total of 14,059 men handle the company’s expanding young men ages 21-35. The group tion was granted in 1947. The fol- registered by the time the boards in terests. O.D. Donnell retired developed a number of community lowing year, evening broadcasts were discharged in 1947. began for the first time. U For the first time in the coun- The Tri-Ridge Girl Scout Coun- AT LA try’s history, women were able to R T Major blizzard clobbers area cil also was organized, to include G IO serve in the military. A number of Hancock, Putnam, Wood and part N local women enlisted. A major blizzard hit the Findlay area in 1945. Snow started falling of Henry counties. Findlay N In total, more than 5,000 Find- on Dec. 10 and continued, off and on, until mid-February. On a political note, Findlay’s O S lay and Hancock County men and The initial storm left 300 people stranded on the Dixie Highway near Jackson E. Betts was elected C women served in the war. Jerry City. A Bowling Green man died from carbon monoxide fumes speaker of the Ohio House of Rep- on 200 Years! On the home front, a group while he waited in his car for a lull in the whiteout. resentatives in 1945. was organized to handle war bond Some schools were canceled for more than a month. Farmers were sales, as well as solicitations for We are proud of our Findlay Roots! finally asked to help clear the roads past their farms. In one case, it took Wolf: 419-427-8419 the Red Cross and USO (United 18 men with shovels an entire day to dig out a single mile. [email protected] Service Organization). Rationing also was imple- mented due to the scarcity of supplies in some areas. A war rationing board was set up with headquar ters in the basement of the courthouse. Gasoline, meat and shoes were among the restricted items. The Hancock County Fair was canceled in 1942 because of the war. Realizing that conservation of labor, time, tires and gasoline was necessary and that winning the war was our first duty, the fair board took this necessary action, said agricultural agent Forest G. Hall. However, a junior fair was Photo taken 1975, following the purchase of Coldren Funeral home: held the following year. Jack and Elaine, Charles, Larry, Rindy and Amanda Crates. Findlay joined with the rest of the country in celebrating the end Coldren-Crates is privileged to have of the war in 1945. As soon as the announcement was made, Main had the opportunity to serve this Street was mobbed with people laughing, yelling and weeping. community for the past 87 years! Confetti peppered the street and brightly colored streamers dan- gled from windows. Church bells Coldren-Crates Funeral Home rang out the good news. Findlay, Ohio A full page in the Aug. 16 edi- tion of the Republican-Courier Smith-Crates Funeral Home newspa per was devoted to a single N. Baltimore, Ohio sen tence about the occasion: “For the victory over our last remain- Crates Funeral Home ing enemy, for the valor of the Arlington, Ohio armed forces which have brought the war to a successful conclusion, THE COURIER C12 BICENTENNIAL MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012