Area History Archives

Mansfield’s Paul Bunyan dwarfed NFL

by larry@richlandsource.com November 15, 2015April 18, 2023

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.

Area History

Townsend house: exploring the home, its life

by Rhonda Bletner, Editor October 2, 2015April 18, 2023

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 […]

Area History

Who was Edwin Oliver Townsend?

by Rhonda Bletner, Editor October 2, 2015April 18, 2023

MANSFIELD, Ohio — Edwin Oliver Townsend built a home in Mansfield in 1930 across the street from Charles King’s home. His obituary called it his winter home.

Area History

Genealogical society, Shelby, tells the Napoli’s/Garrett story

by Rhonda Bletner, Editor September 14, 2015April 18, 2023

SHELBY, Ohio — The Garrett Building, most recently known as Napoli’s Pizza, is now a page in Shelby’s history—and it is quite a page. The building, 12 W. Main St., was demolished on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Richland County – Shelby Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society crafted the following photo essay that shares the building’s […]

Area History

Eyewitness to History: Brinkerhoff at Ford’s Theater

by Submitted April 14, 2015November 30, 2023

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally published on Richland Source in 2015. MANSFIELD — The night in 1865 when President Lincoln was assassinated — April 14, 1863 — fell on Good Friday.

Area History

Pathways to the Past: OGS aids Jay Miller in deep search of family tree

by brittany@richlandsource.com September 18, 2014April 18, 2023

One name leads to another. That’s the technique Margaret Cheney, President of the Ohio Genealogical Society, describes in the practice of genealogy, the study of family history. And it is how the name Jay Miller, Mansfield resident and software designer at DRM Productions, was eventually linked to the name Mattaius Zimmerman, Miller’s German ancestor born […]