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Once upon a time in Ada with Lee Crouse

The first circus came to town in 1872
Posted by Fred Steiner on Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

Here's two stories from th 1870s about Ada:

Oct. 9, 1872 - The Great Grady Circus and Menagerie from Kenton, Ohio was the first circus to come to Ada.

1873 the first steam grist mill in the township was built by the Young Brothers. It stood on Lincoln Street opposite the Lutheran church. A scroll mill was built just east of the grist mill and it burned in 1876.

 

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Familiar Ada names: Elzay, Weihrauch, Spellman, Shepherd

Posted by Fred Steiner on Tuesday, September 13, 2016

These four Ada women were officers of the Ada Parent-Teacher Organization during the 1956-67 school year.

They are standing from left, Mrs. Edward Shepherd, vice-president; Mrs. Von Spellman, secretary; seated from left, Mrs. Howard Elzay, president and Mrs. Clarence Weihrauch, treasurer.

 

 

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Once upon a time in Ada: You'll never believe this story from 1873

Posted by Fred Steiner on Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

In April, 1873, pedestrians used a foot-log to cross the stream that flowed through the public square (Main and Buckeye). John Lee found the old 24-inch walnut foot log while excavating in 1922 for a new water line. It was then three feet below pavement and well-preserved.

1874 was the first class was graduated from Ohio Normal.

In 1874 the Northwestern Volunteer Fireman’s Association was organized at Ada. Its first annual convention was held here in 1881.

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Ada Fire Department in 1953

Posted by Fred Steiner on Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Here's the Ada-Liberty Township fire department from six decades ago. The year is 1953.

From left, George Umphress, Jack Boutwell (chief), Ralph Fisher, Allen High, Charles Anspach, George Binkley, Dwight Musser, Charles Umphress, Ted Hurlburt, Dick Fry and Grover Carey.

This photo is from the Ada 1953 community centennial souvenir program.

If an Icon viewer can identify the year and model of the fire truck, please send information to: [email protected].

 

 

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Once upon a time in Ada: Some Ada firsts that may interest you

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 29, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

Ada's First

• April 11, 1853 - the first train traveled through Ada.

• 1855 - Albert Wylie was the first physician at Ada.

• 1861 - Ada was incorporated with Horace J. Gilbert first mayor.

• 1866 - H.S. Lehr was the first Ada public school superintendent and served until 1871 when his  “select school” had grown and claimed all of his time.

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Christmas season, downtown Ada, 1956

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 29, 2016

Do you remember these holiday lights in downtown Ada at Christmas time?

This photo shows Ada's Main Street 60 years ago, in 1956. The photo is unusual in at least two respects. It's a nighttime shot of Ada. And, it's a winter scene. Most older photos of Ada that we've seen are spring-summer-fall and daylight scenes.

There are plenty of  American-made V-8 gas hogs on the street as we notice a couple Buicks, a Ford and maybe an Oldsmobile.

Other observations of this photo are welcome from Icon viewers: [email protected].

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