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 […]
Area History
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 […]
Posted inArea History
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Mansfield twice
MANSFIELD — Gary Feagin still lights up when talking about the first time he heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. It was Sept. 23, 1962. The congregants of Mansfield’s Mount Hermon Baptist Church gathered in their brand new building at 292 Charles St. The pastor, Rev. Joel King, had invited his famous nephew from Alabama […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Bissman building, warehouse sell for combined $346k
MANSFIELD — Two historic buildings in downtown Mansfield will soon be under new ownership. The historic Bissman building and its adjoining warehouse sold for a combined $346,100 during an online auction Saturday. Auctioneer Shad Remaley confirmed the two lots were purchased by the same bidder, but declined to name the buyer. The iconic four-story building, located […]
Posted inArea History
Pretty Boy Floyd & Christmas in Mansfield 1930
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published on Richland Source as a history column in 2016. Back in the 1980s an older woman in Mansfield was interviewed to learn more about the 1930s, when she operated an Auto Park of tourist cabins on State Route 430 east of town. She noted, almost casually, that she had […]
Posted inNews
Johnny Appleseed barn mural celebrates region’s history, America’s 250th birthday
PERRYSVILLE — A new barn mural of Johnny Appleseed commemorates his impact in Ohio and America as part of the America 250-Ohio Commission’s goal to spotlight the state’s contributions to American history. Former Gov. Ted Strickland, representatives from the America 250-Ohio Commission, a curator from the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum and others spoke at the […]