CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
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Looking Back at Champaign County

Looking Forward: The Patrick House

1/19/2021

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Patrick House Urbana Ohio
The Patrick House
This is a 2020 photo of the southeast corner of Scioto and Kenton streets. Circa 1811, a small log schoolhouse was erected here. This Looking Forward is from the perspective of Joshua Antrim, author of The History of Champaign and Logan Counties – From Their First Settlement, written in 1872. Antrim attended this subscription school. He recalled teachers including William Stephens, John C. Pearson, Henry Drake and George Bell. Schoolmates surviving at that time included Col. Douglas Luce, Joseph A. Reynolds and Mrs. Horace Muzzy. This address now is 301 Scioto, known as The Patrick House, built in 1855. 

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tues. – Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2.
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Then & Now: Ohio Caverns Entrance

10/27/2020

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Ohio Caverns Entrance 1941
Then – This is a 1941 photo (#0336) of the entrance to Ohio Caverns: ‘Where nature carved a fairyland.’ The caverns were discovered in 1897 on the farm of Abe Reames north of Mt. Tabor. The caverns were initially referred to as the Mt. Tabor Caverns. Beginning in 1925 tours of the Ohio Caverns were offered. The formal tour takes visitors past stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes including the Crystal King, a large white stalactite more than 200,000 years old. The person in the photo is unidentified.
Ohio Caverns Entrance
Now – The Ohio Caverns entrance now is remarkably similar to that in 1941, except the arch has been replaced. The stone posts are the same, but another slab of concrete was added to the top of each to increase the entrance clearance. 

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum, 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.
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Looking Back – Joseph Walter, WW II Aviator

9/3/2020

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Joseph W. Walter Urbana
Joseph W. Walter
Picture
Given that this year is the 75th anniversary of the end of WW II, this is a look back at Champaign County involvement. Joseph W. Walter, long-time Urbana funeral director, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and became a navigator, pilot with multiple ratings, and an officer (Lt. jg). A photo of Walter is shown here. His unit, VPB-119, included the first heavy bombers to return to the Philippines once most of the Japanese had been driven out. The accompanying photo, taken by Walter, shows their PB4Y-2’s in formation March 1, 1945, on approach to Clark Field. Each bomber had a crew of 12. Of the 30 crews, only 15 returned from combat. Lt. jg Walter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals now on display in the Champaign County Historical Museum, which submitted these photos and information.

The not-for-profit museum depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum, 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
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Then & Now: Grimes Field

7/2/2020

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Urbana Grimes Field 1944
The “Then” circa 1944 aerial photo (#A2553) of Grimes Field Airport, Urbana, was taken looking west across North U.S. Route 68. Shown are the original hangar and office/restaurant buildings. Grimes Field opened in November of 1941 as a private airport and became a municipal airport in 1943 when it was gifted to the city of Urbana by Warren G. Grimes. It was dedicated as such on Aug. 8, 1943.
Grimes Field Fly-in
The “Now” photo of Grimes Field was taken looking east toward North U.S. Route 68 during a recent “Fly In” event. The Champaign County Historical Society expressed appreciation to Elton Cultice, airport manager, for sharing this aerial photo.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum, 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

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Then & Now: Oak Dale Cemetery Gateway

6/16/2020

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Oak Dale Cemetery Urbana Ohio
The circa 1920 “Then” postcard image of the northwest gateway of Oak Dale Cemetery on Patrick Avenue shows the driveway along the north border of the cemetery. The first meeting of cemetery trustees occurred on Oct. 23, 1855, with Lemuel Weaver as president and W. F. Mosgrove as secretary. On May 28, 1856, the name of the cemetery was changed from Greenwood Cemetery to Oak Dale Cemetery.

The cemetery was dedicated on July 19, 1856. The following is an extract from the address by Rev. Jas. F. Chalfaut at that dedication:

“There is a natural sentiment in the bosom of man, as a general rule, strong in proportion to his cultivation and refinement, that, after life’s silver chord has been loosed, his resting place may be in some quiet sequestered retreat, removed at a proper distance from the bustle and conflicts of active life, when he may not be jostled in his narrow house; but where emblems of truth and divinity may surround him, in all their native simplicity and grandeur. Where God breathes through the leaves of the undisturbed forest trees and smiles in the blooming flower! Such a place may this be!”

Once the new cemetery was established many, but not all, of those buried in the Old Graveyard at Ward and Kenton streets were disinterred then re-interred in Oak Dale.

Oak Dale Cemetery Urbana Ohio
The 2020 “Now” photo of the same driveway shows that it now is an exit. Note how little has changed in the past 100 years. It appears that the stone posts and iron fence are the same. Given the nature of a cemetery as so eloquently stated above, so should it be a constant in an ever-changing world.

Source: A Brief History, Rules and Regulations of the Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana, Ohio 1907.

The Champaign County Historical Museum, a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum, 809 East. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

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Looking Back - Oak Dale Cemetery

6/2/2020

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Oakdale Cemetery Urbana, Ohio 1915
This circa 1915 photo shows grave diggers and workers assembled before Oak Dale Cemetery’s hexagonal office building, which still stands. Note the tools used by the workers are shovels and a horse hitched to an unidentified device. Most things used currently at Oak Dale for grave digging and grounds maintenance are gasoline- or diesel-powered machines. This illustrates the dramatic change from 100 years ago brought about by the availability and utilization of petroleum fuels.
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Then & Now: St. Mary School

5/19/2020

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St. Mary School Urbana
The circa 1929 photo (#A745) of the St. Mary School, Church and Rectory on Washington Avenue, between Locust and Kenton streets, was taken looking south across Washington Avenue. Property adjoining the church was acquired and a new school opened in 1908. After several alterations and remodeling, the building was used as both a high school and elementary school.
St. Mary School Urbana
The 2019 photo of the same location shows that the old church is gone. The rectory and school building remain, but the last high school class graduated in 1958. The elementary continued until recent years. St. Mary Church is now located across from the rectory on Washington Avenue.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story.
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Then & Now: Monument Square's Southeast Sector

5/5/2020

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Urbana Monument Square District History
The circa 1905 “Then” photo (#A2118) of the southeast corner of Monument Square, Urbana, shows bicycles and bicyclists in front of Harmstead & Holding, purveyor of harnesses, buggies and bicycles. Some of the bicycles may be motorized. Presumably, this is a biking event, probably sponsored by Harmstead & Holding. The Home Bakery next to Harmstead & Holding is now the location of Cafe Paradiso.
Cafe Paradiso Urbana
The 2020 “Now” photo is of the same location. Businesses shown are Cafe Paradiso and Oxner’s General Store.

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Then & Now: North Main Street Urbana

4/14/2020

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North Main Street Urbana
The “Then” circa 1930 photo (#A1939) looks north from the east side of North Main Street at the entrance to Citizens National Bank, which was incorporated in 1865. It was first located at 108 N. Main St. and was moved to this location by 1890.

Note the Birdsill-Holly fire hydrant in front of the bank. On the west side of the street is Champaign National Bank. Note the spires of the Champaign County Courthouse and Urbana Methodist Church.

North Main Street Urbana 2020
The “Now” 2019 photo is of the same location. The bank now is Security National Bank. On the west side of North Main Street, extending north from West Court Street to the Johnson Building, is Perpetual Federal Savings Bank. The Urbana United Methodist Church spire remains, but the Champaign County Courthouse, rebuilt in 1957 after a fire, has no spire.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story.

The free public museum, 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, is typically open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, but the museum is TEMPORARILY CLOSED until at least May 1st with the State of Ohio's extended Stay at Home Orders.  All programs and activities are also postponed during this time. We hope everyone stays safe and we look forward to seeing you when this quarantine is over!!
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Then & Now: Mohrlite Co.

3/10/2020

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Picture
The 1916 “Then” photo (#A373) of the building on the northwest corner of South Main and West Water streets, Urbana, shows the Mohrlite Co., manufacturer of lighting fixtures. In 1916, the company moved from San Francisco to the upper floors of this building. The first floor was occupied by a Maxwell Service Station, T. C. Englehart proprietor. A Maxwell car with a 1916 Ohio license plate is in front of the building.

In 1880 J. H. E. Dimond & Son opened a carriage factory in this building. The house next door was between this building and the Clifford Theater.

W. M. Dixon, born in Urbana in 1878, was president of the Mohrlite Co. Mohrlite lighting fixtures were recognized with a gold-medal award at the San Francisco International Exposition.

The company built a new building at the northeast corner of Walnut and Market streets and moved there in 1917. Some years later this same building housed the Champaign County Library.

Picture
The 2020 “Now” photo is of the Marathon station now on the northwest corner of South Main and West Water streets.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story.

The free public museum, 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

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    Looking Back at Champaign County

    The Champaign County Historical Society strives to highlight historical people, places and events throughout Champaign County.  If you have photos of historical significance that you believe would be of interest to Champaign Countians, please Contact Us.

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    Looking Back Champaign County
    Looking Forward
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