By 1812Blockhouse
John Philip Sousa was a musician whose reputation remains strong almost a century after his death.
The scene must have been extraordinary that late October evening in 1892, over 125 years ago, when Sousa came to town. The venue was the brand-new Memorial Opera House, a 565 seat auditorium situated in what was later the site of the Madison Theatre, and is now the parking lot of the Solders and Sailors Memorial Building on Park Avenue West.
An October 1892 edition of the Mansfield Daily Shield provided this set up for the concert during the week prior to the event:
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By 1812Blockhouse
Smiling faces and scary skeletons roamed the streets of downtown Mansfield this morning, as trick-or-treating returned this year to the delight of hundreds of participating children.
Below are a handful of photos from the event as shared by Downtown Mansfield, Inc., the sponsor of the day.
More…Downtown Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Featured, Halloween
By: 1812Blockhouse
First English Lutheran Church is a stunning survivor.
Stunning, as the structure at 53 Park Avenue West was built at a time when Victorian opulence was at its peak, and no expense was spared in its construction.
A survivor, in that it remains one of the only remaining large downtown churches that still houses its original congregation. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
It sits now as it originally did, anchoring Central Park and providing a pleasant oasis of sight and sound.
The Vasbinder Fountain is a Mansfield landmark of the first order. Dedicated on July 4, 1881, it was removed in the late 1950s during the creation of the then-controversial Park Avenue cut-through, and after storage and a temporary placement at Malabar Farm, it was returned to Central Park in 1979. The move took place after community outcry following announced plans to move the fountain to a neighborhood revitalization program in Springfield, Ohio.
As a commemorative plate shares, the fountain was donated by David and Jane Vasbinder. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Back by popular demand, the Downtown Mansfield Scavenger Hunt is returning this July! From July 1 – August 5, families can search for this year’s chosen carrousel animal, Pete the Pirate Cat, hidden in downtown businesses. Prizes can be claimed after finding the hidden animal 10 times, 20 times, or more. Everyone who finds the animal 20 or more times will be invited to a party at the Richland Carrousel on Sunday, August 14 with free carrousel rides, cookies, juice, and prizes.
The Downtown Mansfield Scavenger Hunt is co-sponsored by Buckeye Imagination Museum (formerly known as Little Buckeye Children’s Museum), the Richland Carrousel Park, and Imagination Childcare with special thanks to Richland Source, Destination Mansfield-Richland County, and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. This event is free and open to all.
More…Buckeye Imagination Museum, Downtown Mansfield, Family Fun, Featured
By 1812Blockhouse
One of the most popular local summer traditions is back again for 2022, bigger and better than ever!
It’s the best way to experience sunshine, good food, and good music. The 2022 Final Friday Concert Series at The Brickyard hosted by Downtown Mansfield, Inc. (DMI) will kickoff on Friday, May 27 with the lineup of Emily Raff, Third Degree Sideburn, and Terry Lee Ridey.
The full 2022 summer lineup is as follows:
More…Concerts, Downtown Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Featured
By 1812Blockhouse
NOTE: This is our traditional Easter Sunday post, which we are happy to share for the third consecutive year.
For the last 100 years, the 125 feet high towers of the landmark St. Peter’s Catholic Church have themselves done double duty, standing sentinel over the central part of Mansfield while at the same time encouraging passers-by to look in a heavenly direction.
The building sits near an intersection that has been home to a Catholic church and school for almost seventeen decades. The first local mass was celebrated in 1850, and the first church, purchased from the Presbyterians, was located on Mulberry Street just north of the current elementary school. More…
Featured, Landmarks, Landmarks of Mansfield, Mansfield St. Peter's
By Downtown Mansfield, Inc.
For over 13 years, a community of donors and volunteers have joined The City of Mansfield and Downtown Mansfield, Inc. to beautify downtown. Each year, we strive to make the community even more beautiful through a concentrated effort including the planting of over 1000 flowers throughout the downtown. We have received some national recognition for the efforts and have heard from many in the community who enjoy the floral displays all summer.
We could not do this work without your support! To achieve our beautification goals for 2022, we are launching our annual fundraising effort. The PlantLove campaign will seek to fund downtown beautification annually in lieu of project by project requests. This funding covers projects from April to December and includes regular cleanups, planter maintenance, soil, growing agents, as well as flowers, plants, and evergreens seasonally!
More…Downtown Mansfield, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Featured, Flowers and Plants
By the time that the May Building was constructed on the southeast corner of South Main and South Park Streets, facing Central Park, the name “May” had been known by Mansfielders for some 90 years.
The first May to come to this area was Attorney John M. May, who arrived in Mansfield in 1815 from his former home in Dedham, Massachusetts. May, as well as his son, Judge and State Senator Manuel May (1826-1903), lived in a house on this site. When the second May died without issue, the May Realty Company set out to construct a business block on the May House location. More…
By Ruth Corradi Beach
Beyond its county seat, Richland County is a land rich in small communities. From rural to suburban, each town has its own personality and attractions worth a day trip.
Slow down and enjoy the beauty of the countryside by visiting the villages of Lucas, Plymouth and Shiloh, and the charming community of Olivesburg. Here you’ll find an old-school general store, museums celebrating local history and quaint bed & breakfasts.
Nestled in the rolling hills of southeast Richland County, Butler attracts outdoor enthusiasts. This town marks the start of the Richland B & O Trail, perfect for bikers and walkers. Dive deeper into nature on the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail as you hike through an old-growth forest, past prairies and waterfalls. Kick back at The Whiffletree Restaurant or stroll up to the counter at Five Points Drive-In for shakes, floats and more summer favorites.
More…Destination Mansfield - Richland County, Retail, Richland County Downtowns
