History & Tourism, Literary Mansfield
By 1812Blockhouse
Today we look at a work of non-fiction by a leading political figure of the 19th century.
Mansfield has been able to boast of several statesmen and stateswomen in its history, two of which rose to the level of United States Senator from Ohio. One of the two holders of that title, Sherrod Brown, is a graduate of Mansfield Senior; 150 years ago, another Mansfielder had that distinction.
Much has been written of John Sherman’s career, though no thorough biography of the man has been written to date. That is unfortunate, as Sherman had a unique career in public service that took place over extraordinary years in American history. He also was an integral part of the civic and cultural life of Mansfield from its days as a quiet county seat town to the booming industrial center of the late 19th century. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Part One of our first Richland Roots profile on Mansfield native Lloyd Garrison Wheeler can be accessed here.
When Lloyd and Ranie Wheeler made their move to from Illinois to Arkansas in 1870, they had good timing. Just one year later, 3.3 square miles of the central part of Chicago were destroyed by fire.
On the other hand, Reconstruction-era Arkansas was a very difficult location for Wheeler as he set out to establish a law practice. Family legend says that a billy club found within his effects after his death was protection in case he might become the target of Ku Klux Klan activity. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Shortly before his death in 1909, a husband, a Mansfield native, and wife from Chicago boarded a train and headed south, their destination a relatively new place of higher education in rural Alabama. The couple was no stranger to southern life, having spent years living in Arkansas some three decades before. On this occasion, however, the man was leaving behind a set of business difficulties and accepting a position which had been offered to him by a long-time friend. More…
All About Richland, History & Tourism
By 1812Blockhouse
This reposting of one of our Landmarks of Mansfield is in commemoration of the congregation’s anniversary this year.
The stately building on the southwest corner of Third and Bowman Streets near downtown represents a 175 year history of the Episcopal Church in Mansfield.
Established in 1846, the same year that brought railroads to town, Grace Episcopal Church’s first parishioners included members of the Bartley and Sherman families. Two years later, its first church building was constructed on Third Street just east of Mulberry. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The parishioners at Mansfield’s Grace Episcopal Church set out to celebrate a remarkable milestone on Sunday.
They did so in a time honored way — by holding a commemorative worship service in their building on the corner of Third and Bowman. Among them was the Right Reverend Mark J. Hollingsworth, Eleventh Bishop of Ohio.
Hollingworth greeted those present by sharing with them that he was happy to be with them. “Under this mask,” he began, “I have an ear-to-ear grin of delight to be here and to see all of you in this wonderful celebration of 175 years and all that is awaiting us in our dream for Grace Church and for each of us.”
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By 1812Blockhouse
Throughout its history, Richland County has produced or been the home to a wide variety of individuals that have made important contributions to the world. 1812Blockhouse has been sharing their stories in a series we started last year called “Richland Roots.” For other Richland Roots stories, click here.
Richland County has produced leaders in business, the arts, the military, education, politics, and civic life over its 200-plus years. Occasionally, that includes someone whose life story includes noteworthy activity in several of those areas. Such is the case with native Richland Countian James Sidney Robinson.
More…Famous Sons and Daughters, Featured, Mansfield History, Richland Roots
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Autumn has officially arrived once again bringing the anticipation of cooler days, colorful leaves, and crackling fires. However, nothing says fall better than the thrilling, chilling events in October to celebrate Halloween.
“October is a real treat in Ohio because we have so many amazing options for fall fright and family fun,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Halloween-themed festivals, events and attractions all across the state will make it easy for people to safely celebrate the spirit of the season — and have a lot of fun.”
More…All About Richland, History & Tourism
By 1812Blockhouse
It’s a name you may not have seen before until reading this post.
The man was, however, a remarkable artist with a penchant for showmanship that transformed him into an international superstar — a superstar whose travels and concert venues included a very young Mansfield, Ohio.
An obscure reference in the Cleveland Daily Leader references the appearance of famed composer and pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk to Mansfield in December of 1863, in the middle of the US Civil War.
More…All About Richland, History & Tourism
By 1812Blockhouse
Throughout the last 231 years, there have undoubtedly been scores of Richland County men and women who have attended US presidential inaugurations. Not many of them, however, have written about the experience and provided an account of what they saw and heard.
One such person was Robert Wesley McBride, who had a close-up seat at the second inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln. McBride, who had been born in 1842 southeast of Mansfield, enlisted in the Ohio 7th Cavalry, otherwise known as the “Union Light Guard.” That unit soon served as a bodyguard for the President and mounted escort. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Richland County has produced or been the home to a wide variety of individuals that have made important contributions to the world. 1812Blockhouse has been sharing their stories in a series called “Richland Roots.” For other Richland Roots stories, click here.
There are children who you would imagine will live or have lived interesting lives because of their names. Blessed with obviously creative parents, they set out on journeys that take them to places as unique as their monikers.
Such is the case with a set of children born in Richland County in the first half of the nineteenth century, the Poppletons. More…
History & Tourism, Landmarks of Richland
By 1812Blockhouse
The exuberant Queen Anne style house at 350 Park Avenue West in Mansfield holds a bit of a surprising anecdote. More about that and the end of this post.
It was built by Winfield S. Ward, a man who made a good living as a manufacturer of “elastic web,” that being the elastic material comprised of woven textile or rubber fibers and primarily used for garters and suspenders.
Winfield Ward was born in Pennsylvania, educated in Trenton, New Jersey, and came to Mansfield about 1889. At the time, he was a real estate agent, and the The Weekly News of April 28, 1892 profield him as one of “Mansfield’s wide aware real estate agents.” More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The past will come alive in Mansfield’s South Park this coming weekend as REACH (Richland Early American Center for History) presents its Fifth Annual American Heritage Days.
Join REACH members on October 2 and 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM to discover what it was like to live in early America during the 18th and 19th centuries from living historical reenactors.
Throughout the day there will be crafts, trades, demonstrations, and activities, including blacksmithing, 18th century bagpipe demonstrations, games and children’s activities, open hearth cooking demonstrations, and civilian and military reenactments.
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By 1812Blockhouse
Through our “Literary Mansfield” series, we take occasional looks at the lives and careers of those who have called Mansfield home at some point in their lives, and who have become known locally, regionally, or even nationally as authorst, poets, lyricisits, playwrights, or in other literary fields. Other posts in the series can be found here.
Today’s subject is one of those with a national reputation as well as being a native Mansfielder. And, if you have ever heard and enjoyed songs like “Put On a Happy Face” or “Applause,” you are in his debt.
Lee Adams was born in 1924 and grew up locally, graduating from Mansfield Senior before going on to The Ohio State University and Columbia University. More…
Literary Mansfield, Mansfield Senior High School, Plays and Musicals
By 1812Blockhouse
Attendees at yesterday’s Secret City Tour had the opportunity to visit several spaces, including the almost 110 year-old Eagles Building on the west side of North Main Street between West Fourth and West Fifth Streets.
The four story brick structure has been a feature on Downtown Mansfield, Inc.’s, tours since they began several years ago, and is an annual favorite. The building was built for a specific purpose by what was then a relatively new civic organization — Aerie 336 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. When it was constructed between 1912 and 1913, the local chapter was only 10 years old but already had over 500 members.
What was built was extraordinary.
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By 1812Blockhouse
The following post was previously shared as part of our “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About” series. Since then, the folks at the Richland Astronomical Society have added a new public viewing night, and we have updated our post. 1812Blockhouse takes periodic looks at a variety of things in the Richland County area – some, like today, are geographic locations; other times, they will be organizations, or causes; or even events and happenings. Each time, we will collect details from across the Internet and combine them into a single list.
Today we look at the Warren Rupp Observatory.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About, Featured, Science, Warren Rupp Observatory
