MANSFIELD — Mansfield Policeman Frend Boals had a unique idea, one born from tragedy, that blossoms to this very day. In 1937, after a child on the way to school was struck and killed by a car, Boals conceived the idea to create Safety Town. The very first Safety Town event took place at Prospect […]
Area History
Posted inArea History
Richland County’s favorite songbird makes a national impact
LEXINGTON — Richland County has been the home to many talented stage and screen performers over the years. But few, if any, have earned the acclaim of Sylvia McNair. Sylvia McNair was born in Mansfield, the daughter of George and Marilou McNair. She attended and graduated from Lexington High School. She studied violin as a child […]
Posted inArea History
Doug Theaker’s impact cuts across education & veterans services
MANSFIELD — Doug Theaker has spent a lifetime on the move, making his mark in education, veterans services and more. Attending a veterans service on Memorial Day means listening to a powerful speech from Theaker, as he offers a reverent perspective on the life of those in uniform. It’s a service he delivers annually, and […]
Posted inArea History
Jim Gorman’s legacy as an industrialist, aviator & philanthropist lives on in Mansfield
MANSFIELD — Jim Gorman’s life as an industrialist and philanthropist continues to resonate long after his death. Just a quick glance at his life might lead one to believe he’s best known as a war hero. After all, the 1941 Mansfield Senior graduate was an Army Air Corps (Air Force) pilot during World War II, […]
Posted inArea History
Hartnett’s impact stretched across north central Ohio in numerous sectors
MANSFIELD — Bill Hartnett’s influence spanned numerous locations and categories, from educator and coach to veteran affairs administration across Ohio. Bill was the only child of Jerome Timothy and Thelma (McCarter) Hartnett, born on April 3, 1932, in western Pennsylvania. The son of a railroad worker, Bill moved with his parents 13 times during his […]
Posted inArea History
CRF Museum speaker series concludes with War of 1812 program on April 20
LOUDONVILLE — The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum will host, Why the West Went to War in 1812, on Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. The program will be held in the museum at 203 E. Main Street in Loudonville. The program will be presented by Brandon C. Downing, Assistant Professor of History at Marietta College. […]
Posted inArea History
Frank Black’s Ohio Brass Co. influenced Mansfield for decades
MANSFIELD — The story of Franklin Blymyer Black is a Mansfield tale from start to finish. Frank was born on June 10, 1865 (just after the end of the Civil War) to Moses and Elizabeth Blymyer Black in a brick home at the corner of Blymyer and Marion Avenues. He was one of three children, […]
Posted inSports
Mansfield native served as a pioneer in women’s professional baseball league
MANSFIELD — Mary Holda (Elrod) boldly traveled where few before her had ever gone before, and few have ever since. Holda was born on Sept. 30, 1915, one of nine children (four of them daughters) to George and Mary (Gladdish) Holda. At the time, Mansfield was an industrial center and her family was part of a […]
Posted inArea History
Paul Newman’s knuckles led to an acting career, instead of selling bowling balls
A snowbound weekend is a good opportunity to retell one of the classic stories of Knox County history: the infamous brawl at the Bluebird Club, which resulted in the rise of one of the world’s most beloved actors, Paul Newman. While newspaper reports of the time give only the basics of what happened, there was […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Black History Celebration draws large crowd to Mansfield Richland County Public Library
MANSFIELD — It was hard to find a seat at the Mansfield Richland County Public Library on Saturday. The place was simply bustling with activity. In one corner Jesus Jewels dancers were performing. In another one could learn work through a puzzle or test trivia knowledge, maybe even pick up information on health concerns, all […]