1994 reprint edition.  150 pp., hardbound.

Landowner maps of the 15 Marion County townships, plus Marion and village maps.  Civil War Roll of Honor and personal reminiscences of early settlers.  Indexed, illustrated.

by Keith Haddock

113 pp., paper.
Founded in 1884 as the Marion Steam Shovel Company, “The Shovel” manufactured steam shovels used to dig the Panama Canal and NASA’s space crawler.

This history covers the first 100 years and includes Marion Memorabilia and excerpts from the Company records.

About the Author:  Mr. Haddock is a Project Manager with Luscar Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  A civil engineer, he was educated in Sheffield, England and has held various positions in the U.K. and, since 1974, with Luscar in Canada.

AUTHOR

History can be entertaining for both youngsters and adults as evidenced by this Activity Book. Responding to a need for resource materials on local history by Marion area elementary school teachers, a group comprised of both working and retired teachers, local artists, and the Director of MCHS combined to create an entirely original publication. With a primary focus on activities which younger students can complete while also learning about significant aspects of Marion’s history, the activities and information also proved to be of interest to older audiences including adults.

Incorporating all original art works donated by Marion area artists, the book utilizes crosswords, coloring pages, connect-the-dots, word finds, Morse code, word scrambles and various other activities to cover a wide range of Marion history topics. While most of the activities are designed for younger students, there are also several “Challenge Pages” which require more skills to complete. Also included are more than 75 “Vocabulary Helpers” which assist the students with understanding words within the context of which
they are used.

The publication was honored by the Ohio Local History Alliance as a winner of the 2011 History Outreach Award.

by Charles D. Mosher and Delpha Ruth Mosher

186 pp., softbound.
The story of three U. S. government installations constructed in Marion County during World War II:
Scioto Ordnance Plant, Marion Engineer Depot, and Camp Marion, which housed German prisoners-of-war.

by Scott D. Trostel

Published 2008,  262 pp., paper.
The stunning stories of volunteer efforts on the homefront toward the WWII Troops in compassionate gestures of earnest goodwill, personal sacrifice and unconditional giving. The book features canteens at railroad stations in Marion, Bellefontaine, Crestline, Troy, Dennison and Lima Ohio as well as some in Indiana, South Dakota, Kansa, Nebraska and Iowa.

BUCYRUS, OHIO
Bucyrus, famous for its bratwurst and its hand-hammered copper kettles, was settled in 1817. The name Bucyrus is derived from two words, “beautiful” and “Cyrus,” a king of Persia. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway (America’s first transcontinental road) was built through Bucyrus. It was traversed by bootleggers during Prohibition, and some buildings and streets in town even had underground escape routes. Bucyrus is full of beautiful historic homes and buildings, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a city of industry, home to Timken Roller Bearing Company, maker of bearings for over 100 years and also the maker of powerboats, rubber hoses, mining machinery, and plows.

by Trella H. Romine

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

Originally published in the Marion Star, this collection of one page short essays collects the memories of the author, born in 1915.

Local artist and historian Carroll Neidhardt’s book full of great original drawings and local history. Also includes Carroll’s observations on growing up in a family rich in German tradition and folklore. This book is a great addition to any library at $11.00.

Shipping and handling is $4.00 for each book ordered.

Joshua Simpkins, a Marion native now living in Germany, is the author of “Haunted Marion,Ohio”. Some of the tales are expanded versions of stories that originally appeared on  his website www.SpookyMarion.com, but many others are completely new. The book contains over 35 photos and illustrations and sells for $19.99. Shipping and handling is $4.00 for each book ordered.

Wilbur Jacoby
1907. The 1976 Bicentennial Edition reprint edition published 1999.  953 pp. plus index, hardbound.

by Cleo Ludwig

216 pp., hardbound.
The autobiography of Cleo Ludwig, founder of the L&K Restaurant chain.
15.00 + $4.00 shipping

Published 2004 by Arcadia Publishing, softbound, illustrated, 128 pp. This is Stuart Koblenz’s first book, and is a unique look at Marion and its community. The pages are filled with pictures and text featuring the people, incidents and places that contributed to creating the Marion of yesteryear.

by Stuart Koblentz and the Marion County Historical Society

Published 2007 by Arcadia Publishing, softbound, illustrated, 128 pp. This is a sequel to Stuart’s popular first book, Images of America, Marion, and does for Marion County what his first book did for the city. The pages are filled with pictures and text featuring all of Marion’s 15 townships.

by Robert L. Whitman

124 pp., paper.
The story of Jim Thorpe’s sojourn in Marion County (1922-1923), where he organized, coached and played for the Oorang Indians, one of the teams in the fledgling National Football League.

by Robert L. Whitman

197 pp., paper.
Lavishly illustrated biography of Jim Thorpe, who was named Greatest Athlete of the [20th] Century by ABC television’s Wide World of Sports. Signed by the author.

Please help preserve Marion County History by joining the Marion County Historical Society.

You may mail your dues, or pay them here.

Print your dues form by clicking here - OR choose an option below to pay online!

by Catherine Loudenslager

Published 2007, illustrated, 8 ½ x 11, 76 pp.
While jotting down her thoughts about her life for her children over a period of years Catherine didn’t realize she was writing a book. But as she shared some of her writings they urged her to put them in a more permanent form. With the help of Trella Romine the book is not only interesting to her family but to anyone who grew up on a farm in Ohio in the 20^th Century. It also has genealogical charts of the Holdridge, Loudenslager, Johnson and Carey families.
Privately printed and donated to MCHS, this book is a wonderful addition to any library.

Members and non-members alike can help keep the Marion County Historical Society vibrant by contributing whatever amount you think appropriate.

Your kind donation will be put to good use. We thank you very much!

by Terry Rowland.  53 pp., softbound.

The life and times of Harry and Alice Bill a blind couple who were determined to be self-sufficient and not only managed to raise a family but inspire a community.

by David Hartline
250 pp.
Published originally in 1972, the Marion County Historical Society is again making available this landmark compilation of the military records of the soldiers of Marion County, Ohio from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish American War. It also has an index of soldiers buried in Marion County It includes a new introduction by the author.
$30.00+$5.00 shipping.

by Charlton Myers

340 pp., hardbound.
Stories from Marion County’s history related with a touch of humor.

by Trella Romine

60 pp., softbound.
A history of Marion County’s government building.  Special attention is given to the unique architectural details of the structure.
$5.00 + $4.00 shipping.

SOLD OUT!!!

by George W. King

Published 1915, reprinted 1990.  104 pp., illustrated, indexed.
Early history of The Marion Steam Shovel Company.  Includes histories of the families of George King and Henry Barnhart, two of the company’s founders.
$12.50 paper; $20.00 hardbound.  Add $4.00 for shipping.

SOLD OUT!!!

by Kensel Clutter

2007 Softbound, 77 pages, 8 ½\x 11, indexed with maps.
This book is the result of eight years of research, nearly a thousand miles of driving and walking as Kensel uncovered the clues of the path of the Owl Creek Indian Trail.
Beginning with the 1819 original land surveys by the US government, using clues in county histories and interviewing descendants of those who lived along the trail he created maps showing the probable route of the trail. For those wishing to follow the trail by auto there are explicit instructions included.
$12.00+ $4.00 shipping

The year was 1955. Eisenhower was president and Davy Crockett was every boy’s hero. It was an age of innocence, when the boys wore jeans and tee shirts, and the girls wore poodle skirts. For Brody Watson, it was the summer he lost his father, fell in love with a girl, and discovered the sweetness of small town life.
For Brody and Earl, the summer of ’55 began as an adventure. It was a quest for fun and a need for mischief, and it ended with two teenagers learning a great deal about life. THE ROAD BACK HOME is a powerful yet poignant story laced with humor and filled with warm sentiment of enduring love.
I loved this book. The characters and story capture perfectly that innocent, hopeful time that was the 1950s in America. The Road Back Home is beautiful in its simplicity, well written, and highly recommended for teens and adults.
Laurel Johnson – Midwest Book Review

by Willis Thomas

A Mapping, Location Study and Tabulation from 1809 to 2004, with a history of Marion City Schools.

157 pp. Softbound

Every veteran has a story. Every veteran has faced danger. You should realize that most history is made by individuals who in times of trial or challenge made decisions and choices, and that when these are all added up, the sum total changed the course of history. Throughout the history of the world, ordinary men and women who never made it into a history book and never will, act in extraordinary ways to enable a few people to have their names and actions recorded. When we study any period of history we are not just studying the actions of a few, rather we examine the actions of the many. It is these people who form the pieces of the puzzle that we call history. Their actions become our actions; we are the result of hundreds of choices over hundreds of years. These are the stories of veterans from Marion, Ohio.

NEW HISTORICAL PUBLICATION AVAILABLE AT HERITAGE HALL

 In conjunction with the celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812, the Marion County Historical Society has released its latest publication.  The War of 1812 – The Role of the Area Now Known as Marion County, Ohio features a review of key events of the war from national, state and local perspectives.  It is available for purchase in the Heritage Hall gift shop at a cost of $5.00 with all proceeds going to the Marion County Historical Society. Heritage Hall is located at the corner of Church and State Streets in Marion Ohio. Museum and Gift Shop open hours are 1-4 PM Wednesday through Sunday.

Beginning with a summary of events leading up to the declaration of war by the United States on Great Britain on June 18, 1812, the history continues with a summary of major events of the war.  Among these were the naval victory in which the legend of “Old Ironsides” was born, the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, the burning of Washington D.C. by British troops and the Battle of New Orleans.

Moving to an Ohio perspective, information is shared about military roads throughout Ohio and the role of fortifications in protecting citizens.  The naval battle on Lake Erie where Commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British and issued his now famous statement of “We have met the enemy and they are ours…” is also highlighted.  A summary of 1812 era military forts in Ohio is included as well as information on military food rations and pay rates.

While Marion County did not officially exist in 1812, there were certainly events taking place in the area that were impacted by the war.  Among these were the impact of the Greenville Treaty Line, the use of war roads throughout the area, the building of Fort Morrow and an infamous military action that became known as Drake’s Folly.  Information is also shared on prominent early settlers, 1812 era cemeteries and historical markers commemorating activities from the war era.

Researched and written by Willis Thomas and Randy Winland, the publication coincides with the opening of the new Heritage Hall exhibit “War and Peace 1812-1859.”  Stop in at Heritage Hall, 169 East Church Street, Marion Ohio  anytime between 1 and 4PM Wednesday through Sunday now through October to visit the exhibit and gift shop. The War of 1812 publication is available at a cost of $5.00 with all proceeds going to the Marion County Historical Society.

by Donna Lawrence

Reprint 2007. Softbound, 230 pp.,
illustrated, indexed, published by the Marion County Historical Society.
Out of print for some time, this reprint is sure to be a favorite with educators and historians alike.
Donna Lawrence, a public school teacher in Marion and Marion County for more than 25 years, has a deep love and respect for education. The introduction provides a background followed by history and location of the schools by township and in Marion.

UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO
Long before the city of Upper Sandusky was established as the seat of Wyandot County in 1843, the fertile farming and hunting land along the Sandusky River was a village of the Wyandotte Indian Nation. African American Methodist minister John Stewart established a mission here to serve the Wyandottes, creating a model of peaceful living between pioneers and Native Americans, until the Wyandottes were moved to Indian Territory by the federal government. Upper Sandusky shows the growth of a Midwest town from the end of the Civil War through World War II using historic photographs of people, organizations, and landmarks. From local bands to buildings lost in fires, Upper Sandusky documents how the town has changed and how the strong bonds of family, adversity, and triumph keep the community growing together.

Every veteran has a story, and Veterans’ Voices is a collection of thirty stories as told by the men who fought in World War II. Most of us study the war from the viewpoint of General Eisenhower or President Roosevelt. Each of these stories helps to complete the quilt of the American experience known as World War II. The only way to truly honor America’s veterans is by remembering what they have done to preserve the ideals of this nation. These stories are an attempt to fulfill the call of Abraham Lincoln, “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.”

WYANDOT COUNTY, OHIO
The Sandusky Plains were once home to wandering bands of Wyandot and Delaware Native Americans, and early settlers endured a hard pioneer life. William Crawford led his famous expedition here in 1782, and Fort Ferree was built during the War of 1812. Over the years, Wyandot County has been home to many other important events and people. Astronaut Neil Armstrong attended Upper Sandusky Junior High, and Upper Sandusky High School held the first all-night prom in 1948, which was featured in Look magazine. The famous television comedian Cliff Arquette haled from Carey, and Lovell is close to one of the largest solar fields east of the Mississippi River. Each town in Wyandot County has contributed to its growth and prosperity, making it a great place to raise a family. Images of America: Wyandot County explores the history of this great county through historical photographs.