Geography, demographics, and a rapidly developing transportation system precipitated Ohio’s prominent role within the Underground Railroad. Ohio’s southern river boundary of 451 miles established the longest natural boundary between free and slave soil. Once the river was crossed freedom seekers funneled to lake port cities such as Cleveland and Sandusky, no farther than 250 miles [...]
GRAHAM DRUG STORE The Graham Drug Building (left side) at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Water Streets. Looking south up Columbus Avenue the spires of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and Zion Lutheran Church are visible. Ca. 1890. Image courtesy of Sandusky Library Archives Research Center During the antebellum years the cluster of storefronts lining the southeastern [...]
THE EARLY BIRDS OF AVIATION This marker is located on West Washington Street in Washington Park, just west of the Boy with the Boot. It is under the trees, and behind the bench. Inscription - Dedicated in memory of those early aviation pioneers “The Early Birds.” Between the years 1910-1917, aviators Weldone B. Cooke [...]
THE SAMUEL CALDWELL HOUSE (DEMOLISHED 1963) 257 Jackson Street—Stop 3 on Washington Park Walking Tour The Samuel Caldwell house on Jackson Street in a 1958 picture. First Congregational Church’s main sanctuary building can be seen to the left of the house, and the Mahala Laundry building is just visible on the right side of [...]
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF THE HISTORIC MARKER FOR Almon Ruggles, Surveyor of the Firelands and The Unknown Sailor and the Battle of Lake Erie Saturday, October 8, 2022 At 2:00 pm At the Oak Bluff Cemetery in Berlin Township The actual entrance to the cemetery is right off [...]
This marker was removed in 2022 at the request of a nearby property owner who asked that it be moved to another site. After much research, it was determined that marker was likely placed at an incorrect location, and the actual site of the first cemetery could not be confirmed. This was one of [...]
ALMON RUGGLES, SURVEYOR OF THE FIRELANDS AND THE UNKNOWN SAILOR AND THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE In the Fall 2020, this two-sided historic marker was installed at the Oak Bluff Cemetery is located at 4301 E Old Lake Rd, Huron, OH 44839. Due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication ceremony was [...]
Although ravaged by the elements, there is a 'rock' in the downtown park which has an unusual history. On July 4, 1991 – the Erie County Historical Society dedicated one of its earliest plaques to explain this geological wonder. This history is ‘mostly’ taken from Janet Senne’s dedication speech, with a little more added. [...]
OUR APRIL 7, 2019 SPRING TOUR RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND On April 7, 2019 we will host a tour of the former E & K (Engels & Krudwig) Winery at 224 E. Market St. After the tour, join us for a social hour at the Bait House. We met at [...]
THE GRAEFE BUILDING This building takes up much of the north side of E. Market St. It was constructed in 1939 after a devastating fire destroyed the original Graefe building. A newspaper article announced plans by Frankel and Sears to occupy the building and noted that plastering was still underway and light fixtures needed [...]