“The right of the people peaceably to assemble:” it is a democratic empowerment so fundamental to the essence of our nation that it is inscribed prominently into the very first Amendment to the Constitution. As a core value so central to defining our American personality, it is significant that when folks in Richland County practice […]
Area History
Posted inArea History
Richland Chronicles Chapter 2: Two Sacks of Barley
Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles by author Paul Lintern. It is set in 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of a young girl. Amelia did not know what to make of Autumn’s father, as he drove the horses and wagon […]
Posted inArea History
Photo biography helps reveal layers of “Shawshank” site
MANSFIELD — Opening in 1896, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield has a lot of history. Thanks to Mansfield’s Nancy Darbey’s new book, “The Ohio State Reformatory,” people can take a step back into history with pictures of the Richland County landmark. Darbey, a member of the board of trustees at the Reformatory, best known as […]
Posted inArea History
Richland Chronicles Chapter 1: A Long Way From Boston
Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles by author Paul Lintern. It is set in 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of a young girl. Amelia thought she was looking at a big old woodpile. Turned out, it was going to […]
Posted inArea History
Author introduces Richland Chronicles history series
In 1831, Ohio had been a state for a quarter-century, and Richland a large square-shaped county for nearly 20 (pieces of it would be lopped off to Ashland, Crawford and Morrow Counties). While Mansfield had just gained “village” status with about 300 residents, nearly 24,000 people lived in the county, meaning most of it was […]
Posted inArea History
The Colonial 1906
You may never have heard the name of this place, but if you have spent any time driving in downtown you will certainly recognize the landmark. Built around the turn of the 20th century, it was known for 50 years as The Colonial — a discreet and charming apartment building on the edge of downtown. […]
Posted inArea History, Business
Mansfield home from early 1900s now a health facility
MANSFIELD, Ohio — What started as a residential property once owned by one of Mansfield’s prominent financial figures, Fred Thomas Bristor, has since become a health facility, now known as Third Street Family Health Services. One might not suspect any historical significance if facing the north or east sides of the property (where the building […]
Posted inArea History, Life and Culture
History uncovered at St. Matthew Lutheran Church
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Pieces of local history were uncovered Sunday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, located at 426 Sherman Place. During a church service appropriately named, “Cornerstone Sunday,” church members Ron Pittenger and Brian Armstrong removed items from a copper box that had been contained in the church’s cornerstone for close to 100 years. Two […]
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Mansfield’s Paul Bunyan dwarfed NFL
MANSFIELD — It’s been nearly a century since Mansfield legend Pete Henry signed his first pro football contract with the Canton Bulldogs. When it happened, on Sept. 17, 1920, it was headline news in both Canton newspapers. “Giant Tackle Casts Football Fortunes Here; Henry Comes Into Kennel of Bulldogs,” the Canton Daily News blared. At […]
Posted inArea History
Townsend house: exploring the home, its life
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Sometimes, like people, a house is more attractive on the outside than on the inside. That may be the case of the Townsend House on Park Avenue West. The house is majestic to view from the outside of the property. Its white pillars and terraced front yard compliment the King mansion across […]