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…
Featured, Literary Mansfield, Mansfield Senior High School, Plays and Musicals
By 1812Blockhouse
The past will come alive in Mansfield’s South Park this October as REACH (Richland Early American Center for History) presents its Fourth Annual American Heritage Days.
Join REACH members on October 1 and 2 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 speakers, military battles, 18th century blanket traders and vendors, Indian artifacts and old firearms display in the blockhouse, 18th century cooking in the cabin over an open hearth, blacksmithing and rope making in the blacksmith shop.
More…Featured, Ohio History, Richland Early American Center for History, South Park
By 1812Blockhouse
It is said that the winter of 1867-1868 was a uniformly cold one, though a late season snowstorm wreaked havoc on the eastern part of the country.
It was during that winter that a man arrived in Mansfield and checked in at the Wiler House hotel. The establishment was frequented by travelers arriving via coach in the city. It had been established about 1820 at the corner of North Main Street and Dickson Avenue, not far from the current Richland Carrousel Park.
When registering, the man put down the name “Ralph Waldo Emerson” in the guest registry. From that time on, it has been claimed that that man was THE famous lecturer, essayist, and poet, perhaps best known for development of the philosophy of transcendentalism. More about his rich life and career can be found here.
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By 1812Blockhouse
This year, we’re going to add a handful of Fall Road Trip ideas to our usual staple of Summer Road Trips. Each provides Richland Countians with an easy day trip idea that features something unique and different.
As always, we remind our readers that Richland County itself if full of interesting things to see and do. For the latest information on those places, visit the website of Destination Mansfield – Richland County.
It’s an easy drive east along US30 to the nearby city of Wooster, home to that annual combination of fun, food, and festivity known as Woosterfest.
This year’s 39th Annual edition is a free family event will serve as a kick-off to fall, and will take place on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1.
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By 1812Blockhouse
William Henry Harrison is perhaps best known as an answer to a trivia question as to which President of the United States has had the shortest term. This is unfortunate, as Harrison had a busy and successful career in military service long before his short tenure in office.
It is also the answer to the question “Which US President first visited Mansfield at some point in his life?” On at least two instances, he made a visit here — the second about 28 years after the first.
Born in Virginia, Harrison is often claimed by Ohio to reinforce its “Mother of Presidents” claim. He did settle in Ohio and was elected from here. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) invites everyone to spend this Saturday at a state park, nature preserve, forest, or wildlife area, to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 24. The day is designated to celebrate the connection between people and the great outdoors, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage the use of open space for education, recreation, and healthy living.
“Ohio is home to the best outdoor recreation in the country and National Public Lands Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy it,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, or just sightseeing, I hope everyone can make time to get out and experience Ohio’s natural beauty this weekend.”
ODNR has a variety of places where people can enjoy National Public Lands Day – for free!
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Today, we broaden the scope of our Landmarks of Mansfield series by focusing on a landmark that never was.
At least not how it was originally planned.
We take our readers back 113 years, and to the southwest corner of West Fourth and Walnut Street. There, in 1908, owner William Shakespeare Cappeller, founder and owner of The Mansfield News, made plans for something special to take place. More…
By 1812Blockhouse; Ohioana Library Association
Several Ohio counties have stops along the Ohio Literary Trail.
Only a handful have more than one, Richland County among them.
Sponsored by the Ohioana Library Association, the program connects readers and Ohio writers and shine the spotlight on Ohio’s unique role in shaping culture and literature worldwide.
Ohioana compiled the trail map with more than 70 sites across the Buckeye state, paying tribute to the authors, poets, illustrators, libraries, and creative influencers of the written word who have called Ohio home. Tourists planning a literary-themed outing, as well as Ohioans who want to discover literary treasures they never knew existed in their own backyard, will find it here. More…
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. We profile these individuals in our Richland Roots series.
Not exactly a household name in 21st century Richland County, Friedrich Schnitzer was much better known 125 years ago.
Schnitzer, son of and father of two other men with the same name, was born in Bavaria and emigrated to America with his parents in 1859, depending on the source. His European home sat on 200 acres, and it was said that the family descended from minor nobility.
Before leaving Bavaria, he was trained in architecture at the University of Berlin. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
This year, we’re going to add a handful of fall trip ideas to our usual staple of Summer Road Trips. Each provides Richland Countians with an easy day trip idea that features something unique and different.
As always, we remind our readers that Richland County itself if full of interesting things to see and do. For the latest information on those places, visit the website of Destination Mansfield – Richland County.
Today, we’re taking a trip to Ohio’s Capital City to take in two attractions that highlight the magic of Lego.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Downtown Mansfield, Inc. (DMI) will hold another Secret City Tour this Saturday, allowing attendees to glimpse a Mansfield that has been there for a century or more but which has been largely unseen.
At least once a year, the organization facilitates the opening of architecturally interesting buildings in Mansfield’s downtown area that are not typically open to the public. This fall’s Secret City Tour will take place this Saturday, September 17, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
This Tour features the following places to visit:
Each of these buildings are either currently being renovated or provide excellent opportunities for investment and adaptive reuse.
More…Downtown Mansfield Inc., Featured, Historic Preservation, Mansfield History
By 1812Blockhouse
One of Ohio’s largest free outdoor craft and living history festivals will be happening later this month at Malabar Farm.
Ohio Heritage Days, which has a goal of promoting and preserving past knowledge while looking as well at the future of farming, will be taking place on September 24 and 25.
Included will be 75 exhibitors featuring crafts; live music; Civil War and pioneer demonstrations; draft horses; educational displays; wagon rides; antique tractors; and much more. Be sure to bring some cash for purchases of food and/or craft items as not all vendors have credit card access.
Speaking of food, up to 12 food booths are expected.
More…
NOTE: This post in our “When Mansfield Welcomed” series has been updated with recently-discovered information.
By 1812Blockhouse
It was a brilliant Saturday in July, 1896 when Buffalo Bill came to town. Not just Buffalo Bill, mind you – his famous “Wild West Show” was in tow and put on two performances in a lot on East Fourth Street. This was not his first visit to Mansfield, nor would it be his last.
Buffalo Bill, born William Frederick Cody in 1846, grew up on the frontier and loved every aspect of that way of life. As he grew older, some of the titles he earned, or at least ascribed to himself, including buffalo hunter, U.S. Army scout and guide, and showman, as well as Pony Express Rider, Indian fighter, and even author. Whatever Cody’s titles, he was destined for fame. More…
All About Richland, History & Tourism, Literary Mansfield
By 1812Blockhouse
Publisher’s Note: This is a post from our “Literary Mansfield” series, the very first series we did here at 1812Blockhouse. This initial post was made back in 2016. Through this series, 1812Blockhouse looks at Mansfielders, past and present, who have contributed to the world of writing in all of its forms. This post, about James Lapine, has been recently updated (see below).
Many Mansfielders know the story of Louis Bromfield, the creator of Malabar Farm who combined a storied career in writing with a foray into the world of sustainable agriculture. Bromfield, a Mansfield native, was the winner of the 1927 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for his book, Early Autumn. We will have occasion to share some stories about him later in this series.
Fewer might know, however, that a second native son also won a coveted Pulitzer. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
This is the first of a two-part series focusing on a good friend of Richland County, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Today, we look at ways you can connect with his legacy; later this week we will share news about how his legacy is bring commemorated.
We live in Johnny Appleseed country. The relationship between the pioneer American nurseryman and the Mansfield area is well documented and commemorated today in many ways – from shopping centers to historic markers to scenic byways.
Johnny Appleseed’s legacy lives on in other parts of Ohio and the country. Some time ago, we shared a story about one person’s efforts to identify the actual resting place for John Chapman, his legal name. That post can be accessed here. More…
