The Bellefontaine Carnegie Free Library was built in 1903 at the corner of N. Main St. and E. Sandusky Ave. Before the Carnegie Library was built, Bellefontaine had a circulating library as early as 1871 that was started and maintained by Miss Lida Canby. Members paid $3 per year and were entitled to take out one book per week. Non-members could pay ten cents per book and borrow one per week. It was on the second floor of Melodeon Hall on Main Street. Rebecca Brown was the w

The Ohio National Guard Armory, located at 1021 S. Main St. in Bellefontaine, was opened in 1950. The origins of an armory in Bellefontaine date back to 1896 when Company F of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who served in the Spanish American War, established an armory on W. Chillicothe Ave. This initial facility was a large brick home, purchased by the Logan County Commissioners. It served as the armory until 1901, when the building was sold and the armory relocated. In 190

From the 1890s through the 1950s, Bellefontaine was a thriving railroad town. It was home to one of the largest roundhouses and repair centers on the Big Four (New York Central) lines, where trains stopped to service steam engines and change crews. For a time, locomotives were built in Bellefontaine. At its peak, as many as ninety freight trains and more than forty passenger trains passed through Bellefontaine each day. The railroad was a major employer in Logan County, with

In May 2024, Don Stinson loaned one of his hand‑made band organs to the History Center for an exhibit at the Logan County Museum. The America 250‑Ohio Commission has selected this Stinson Band Organ to be part of its “Ohio Creativity Trail” under the Carousel Art Theme, a recognition that highlights Ohio’s unique artistic and mechanical heritage. Don Stinson of rural Bellefontaine is truly a master craftsman. He is one of the very few people in history to both build and repai

John and Jean Dixon earned nationwide recognition for their award‑winning Western Parade Horses and their accomplishments as respected breeders of show horses. Married in 1948, they spent nearly six decades on their farm near East Liberty. Both were deeply committed leaders in the Logan County 4‑H Horse Program, serving for more than ten years and mentoring countless young horse enthusiasts. The Dixons began their married life deeply involved with horses, not merely as a hobb

On August 24–25, 1962, the City of Bellefontaine held a grand rededication ceremony honoring Court Avenue, recognized as the oldest concrete street in America. The street was originally constructed between 1891 and 1893. Before the celebration could begin, Court Avenue required repairs. On July 22, 1962, the Bellefontaine City Street Department started restoration work on the 71-year-old roadway. Repairs included patching deteriorated joints and replacing several damaged five

Prior to the 1880s, an extensive marshy wetland, partial remains of an Ice Age lake, lay in the area east of the Rushsylvania Pike (Co. Rd. 9) south of Rushsylvania. Underlying much of this area were significant quantities of shell marl and silica-rich glacial clays. Dredging of the channel of Rush Creek in the mid-1870s revealed their existence. Information regarding the exposure reached the owners of the Alamo Cement Company in San Antonio, Texas, who sent George Bartholo

The DeGraff Canning Co. was incorporated in April 1907 to process corn and tomatoes. Early operations were substantial; one report noted forty women peeling tomatoes and the facility processing 500 bushels in a single day, with only 84 bushels remaining by nightfall. Workers were paid four cents per bucket, and their checks were accepted as cash throughout DeGraff. At peak performance, the plant produced 18,000 cans of tomatoes in a day and achieved a test rate of 76 cans per

The Bellefontaine Mattress & Upholstering Co. produced mattresses, comforts, pillows, bed springs, mattress protectors, and wagon pads for nearly twenty years. The company was founded in September 1901 by Jesse T. Langdon at 103 S. Detroit Street. The company formally organized in June 1902 with W.W. Fisher as president, E.J. Howenstine as vice president, W.C. Huston as secretary-treasurer, John C. Sullivan as general manager, and Langdon as superintendent. Later that year, t

The Logan County Historical Society traces its origins to 1930, when an earlier historical society was organized with Oswald K. Reames serving as its first president. That organization ceased operations, likely as a result of the Great Depression, but was reestablished in December 1935, again under Reames’s leadership. Surviving records include minutes from a 1940 meeting and a treasurer’s ledger from 1941 signed by F. M. Henry. No further activity is documented until Decembe

The first Indian Lake Yacht Club was organized in August 1910 with Walter Smith serving as Commodore, E. Dodson as Vice Commodore, French Leatherman as Rear Commodore, Harry Mansfield as Secretary and H.O. Huber as Treasurer. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and forty-three members answered the roll call. Membership was expected to exceed one hundred by the following season. The Club’s mission was to support the betterment of Indian Lake. Their inaugural regatta a

Dr. Charles L. Barrett dedicated fifty years to practicing medicine in Bellefontaine. He was born in Lakeview in 1909 to Dr. Van F. Barrett and Sarah Jacobs Barrett. His father, Van, and uncle, Samuel S. Barrett, grew up in Scioto County and both earned their medical degrees from Western Reserve Medical University in June 1895. After completing their studies, the two brothers established a joint medical practice in Nevada, Ohio. A short time later, Dr. Van Barrett moved to La

Bloomfield Township, established in 1832, is in western Logan County, bordered by the Great Miami River to the east and Shelby County to the west. Several waterways including Muchinippi Creek, Brandywine Creek, and Rum Creek flow through the township before joining the river. Agriculture has historically been the township’s primary industry. Early settlers held religious meetings in their homes and traveling ministers, known as circuit riders, visited the Rum Creek area to de

In the early 1830s, Logan County was largely engaged in sheep raising and wool production. Before a formal market developed, farmers maintained small flocks primarily for household use. Wool was spun at home on spinning wheels and made into clothing. Women wore wool or linsey‑woolsey dresses depending on the season, men wore wool trousers and coats, and all members of the family wore wool hosiery. Hand‑spun wool was often taken to skilled weavers who crafted it into intricate

For nearly a century, a distinguished three‑story hotel stood at the corner of South Detroit Street and West Columbus Avenue in Bellefontaine. Built by Judge Thomas Miltenberger and originally named The Miltenberger House, the hotel opened for business on May 1, 1876. In 1889, The Bellefontaine Republican described the hotel as conveniently located in the heart of the business district, near the Post Office, telegraph, and express offices. The Miltenberger House featured fift

Union Township was established in 1820. It holds the distinction of being the only township in Logan County without a village. It did have some small early settlements that had unique names such as Noodletoozy, Dogtown and Pigeon Town. Soon after the early settlers arrived, some began holding church services in their homes. In 1827, members of the Dunkard or Brethren Church, who had moved to Union Township from Virginia, organized the Stony Creek Church. The Lake Branch Metho

D.A. Liggitt served as the Logan County Representative for the Ohio General Assembly, was elected twice to the Ohio State Senate, and was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 1924. David Alexander, or D.A., Liggitt, was born on September 15th, 1873, to Oliver and Catherine Shields-Liggitt in Belle Center. He graduated from the local high school in 1891. Continuing his education, Liggitt attended Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, and earned a degree in educati

Wolfheim’s Clothing Store operated in Bellefontaine for over 120 years. They were initially known for their fine collection of men’s and boy’s clothing. When Levi’s jeans became popular, they had one of the largest selections in the area. In 1875, Robert Wolfheim opened a clothing store for men and boys on the corner of Main St and Court Ave in Bellefontaine. Two years later, he moved his store to the Buckeye Block on S. Main St. A September 11, 1885, Bellefontaine newspa

Logan County has two remaining covered bridges, the McColly Covered Bridge on County Road 13, spanning the Great Miami River at the Bloomfield and Washington Township line, and the Bickham Covered Bridge on County Road 38 over the south fork of the Great Miami River in Richland Township. The 130-foot McColly Covered Bridge was built in 1876 by the Anderson Green Company of Sidney, Ohio for $3,103.60. They were a reputable bridge builder specializing in Howe truss designs. The

The Glover Collegiate Institute opened in 1894 in West Liberty. Five years later, it became the Mennonite Orphan’s Home and eventually the named changed to Adriel in 1957. In 1853, J.M. Glover, a farmer who also owned a mill and dry goods store in West Liberty, built a 14-room brick mansion which he called “Oak Grove” overlooking the village. The home had balconies, a tower, and ornate chimneys. The interior featured black Italian marble fireplaces, elaborate plaster ceiling