By Lee Crouse
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Some Ada Firsts
• 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.
• October 21, 1867 was the official name change from Johnstown to Ada.1868 the first Methodist Church on SW corner of Hoosier (now Highland) and Gilbert streets was dedicated. It was unfinished at this time and was rededicated in 1871.
• August 1870 the first financial institution was the Building & Loan No 1 Company and wound up its business affairs in October 1878.
• 1871 Ohio Northern University was founded. It was incorporated in 1871 as the Ada Normal Academy. Its first building was dedicated on August 11, 1871.
