CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
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Looking Back at Champaign County

Looking Forward: Brand Whitlock

2/11/2021

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The 2020 photo with this article is of the house at 510 S. Main St., Urbana. This Looking Forward is from the perspective of Joseph Brand Whitlock, who was born at this location, though probably in an earlier house, on March 4, 1869. His parents were Elias B. Whitlock and Mollie Brand Whitlock. Brand Whitlock’s maternal grandfather was Joseph C. Brand, whose house at 132 W. Reynolds St. was previously featured in this column.

As Brand’s father was a Methodist minister who served various Ohio churches, the family moved frequently. When Brand became a teenager, the family lived in Toledo, Ohio, where he worked for a time as a newspaper reporter. Later he turned to the law and practiced in Toledo, where he became active in community and political affairs. He was elected mayor of that city in 1905 and served three more terms before declining further nomination.
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In 1913 he was appointed Minister to Belgium by President Woodrow Wilson. When World War I started Whitlock was in Brussels, Belgium, where he was admired and recognized for his assistance to the Belgian people during the war. At war’s end he was appointed US Ambassador to Belgium. In recognition of his contributions to the Belgian people, King Albert honored Whitlock with the highest decoration of his country.

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 located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tues. - Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2.
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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
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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: 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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The Pride of Terre Haute!

10/5/2018

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Check out the letter sweaters from 1938 in this sampling of Terre Haute historical photos!

Learn more Terre Haute history at the CCHS Museum, open Sunday (1-4pm) and Monday & Tuesday (11am-4pm).
Class of 1937-38 Terre Haute Ohio
1911 Terre Haute school
terre haute school photo
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Looking Back: Mechanicsburg, Ohio

10/5/2018

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Over the years, the face of Mechanicsburg has changed. Enjoy these views from yesteryear and learn more about Mechanicsburg's history at the CCHS museum!
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Looking Back: Do You Recognize Where These Photos Were Taken in Champaign County?

10/5/2018

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Do you know where these photos were taken in Champaign County?  We do, and we have the historical background information on each one. Visit us, and triad to figure it out 😉
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Preserving Champaign County's History, One Item at a Time!

10/5/2018

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Relics of Champaign County's past! Do you have experience using any of these items? Tell us all about it in the comments or come see these items firsthand in the Champaign County Historical Society Museum!
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World War II and the Greatest Generation

10/5/2018

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Champaign County was “all in” on the battlefield, at sea, and in the air.   We were also “all-in”  with war production and savings.  The Museum has a large collection of WWII photos and displays.  Here is a sample of them.
Champaign Countians in WWII
Champaign County in WWII
Grimes Airplane
Urbana in WWII
Tokyo Bay Surrender
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Looking Back: Concord Township High School

9/26/2018

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Do you remember the Concord Twp. High School? Perhaps your parents or grandparents are shown in the 4 photos at Concord Twp High School below.  Please let us know in the comments if you recognize someone and share some more of their history with us!
 
These are just a small sample of the history preserved, protected and displayed in the Champaign County Historical Society Museum at 809 East Lawn Avenue, Urbana.  Visit us to see and learn more!

And a belated congratulations to the 1936 County-wide Baseball Champions from Concord Twp. shown below!
Concord Township High School Class of 1934
Concord Township High School Class of 1946
Concord Township High School Class of 1950
1936 Champaign County Baseball Champions
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St. Paris History Preserved at the Champaign County Historical Society Museum

9/24/2018

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The Pony Wagon Town, St. Paris, has a rich history, much of which is preserved by the Champaign County Historical Society. Are your parents or grandparents in these photos? Help us identify them in the comments below!   Or visit us and see the photos in person at the Museum, 809 East Lawn Avenue, Urbana.
Graham High School Class of 1974
Graham High School Class of 1974
St. Paris High School Basketball
The St Paris HS Basketball team were the county champions in 1928.
St. Paris High School Basketball Team
The St Paris HS Basketball team were the county champions in 1928.
St. Paris High School Class of 1934
St. Paris High School Class of 1934
St. Paris Gardner's
St. Paris businessman
St. Paris Theater
This photo dates to 1947.
Buckeye Excavation St. Paris Ohio
St. Paris Gas Station
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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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    Categories

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    1952 Urbana Fire
    A.B. Graham
    Addison
    Arrowsmith Mills
    Baseball
    B & B Service Station
    Bill Saxbe
    Billy Clifford
    Bob Martin Band
    Brand Whitlock
    Bright And Son Grain Elevator
    Brush Lake
    Bud Brown
    Bunnell Monument Works
    Cable
    Champaign County Chamber
    Champaign County Fair
    Champaign County Politics
    Champaign Livestock Sales
    Chowning's Art Studio
    Christiansburg
    Chrysler Auto Sales
    Citizens National Bank
    Civil War
    Clifford Theater
    Concord Twp. High School
    Congressional Medal Of Honor
    Dentist
    Douglas Hotel
    Dr. Poffenberger
    Egenberger Building
    Elisha C. Berry
    Ewing's Restaurant
    Fifth Third Bank
    Goertzig IGA
    Grace Fern Heck
    Grace Methodist Church
    Graham
    Graham Schools
    Grimes Field
    Harness Racing Sulkies
    Harrison Township
    Hatton Drug Store
    Honeywell
    Howard Supply Company
    Jimmy Mattern
    John Quincy Adams Ward
    Joseph C. Brand
    Joseph C. Vance Sr.
    Judge Middleton
    Kennard
    Lantz Grocery & Gas Station
    Longfellow Residence
    Looking Back Champaign County
    Looking Forward
    Mad River Valley
    Marion Ross
    Mechanicsburg
    Mercy Memorial
    Miami Granite Co.
    Military History
    Mohrlite Co.
    Monument Square District
    Moore's Business College
    Mumford's Potato Chips
    Museum
    North Lewisburg
    Oak Dale Cemetery
    Ohio
    Ohio Caverns
    Orbis
    Parllete Electric Company
    Rosewood High School
    Runkle Family Singers
    Scioto Street
    Shepard Grain Co.
    Springhills Jail
    St. Mary School
    St. Paris
    Strapp Furniture Store
    Sycamore House
    Terre Haute School
    Thackery
    The Boston Store
    The Patrick House
    Tornado
    Triad
    Uhlman's
    United Paperboard Co.
    Urbana
    Urbana City Building
    Urbana Daily Democrat
    Urbana Firehouse
    Urbana Fly-in
    Urbana High School
    Urbana Jail
    Urbana Manufacturing Company
    Urbana Post Office
    Urbana Public Library
    Warren Grimes
    Washington Hotel
    Weaver Building
    West Liberty
    Westville
    White-Valentine Co.
    Wilkins Trucking Service
    William Egan Sr.
    Woodstock
    World War I
    WWII
    W.W. Rock

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Champaign County Historical Society Museum

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Visit Us!

809 E. Lawn Ave.
Urbana, OH 43078
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Tue-Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sat: 10am - 2pm

Contact Us

937.653.6721
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  • Home
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