BUCKEYE RAMBLINGS
The Official Newsletter of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League
Number 56                                                                                                                            May, 2008

ANNUAL MEETING AT GALION A GOOD DAY FOR ALL

The 14th Annual Meeting of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League was held on April 26, 2008, at the Elks Hall in downtown Galion.  The meeting was hosted by members of the Mid-Ohio Chapter, and the hard work of the planning committee led by Mike Hocker, Tom Lockard, and John Renock paid off with an interesting and enjoyable day for the 32 members and guests in attendance.  Those members who were not able to attend are encouraged to review the meeting minutes by visiting the OLHL web site at www.LincolnHighwayOh.com. 

Members and guests of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League listen as Kirk Slusher, Planning Administrator for ODOT District One explains the history and funding procedure for the construction of aesthetic bridges such as the new Lincoln Highway Bridge at Beaverdam, Ohio.  Kirk was on hand to accept the “Exemplary Friend of the Lincoln Highway Award.”   Click to enlarge.

Among the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the “Exemplary Friend of the Lincoln Highway Award” to the Ohio Department of Transportation.  This is an award given by the Lincoln Highway Association to individuals or groups for outstanding contributions to the association’s promotion and preservation efforts.  In this case, ODOT was honored for their part in constructing the splendid new Lincoln Highway Bridge at the I-75 interchange with State Route 696 at Beaverdam.  The bridge features four large Lincoln Highway logo signs which face four-lane traffic on I-75, and four smaller logo signs set in brick pillar replicas which face traffic on State Route 696—a renumbered roadway (formerly U.S. 30-North) that was once part of the historic Lincoln Highway route.  The brick pillars are reminiscent of twenty other pillars which were originally set along the route of the Lincoln Highway during the 1920s.

OLHL President Mike Buettner (right) displays a picture of the Lincoln Highway Bridge that was opened in December 2006 at the I-75 interchange east of Beaverdam.  Although it was apparently for this project that ODOT was nominated for the “Exemplary Friend Award,” it was pointed out by OLHL members that the award was merited not only for ODOT’s vision regarding the new bridge, but also for its continuing assistance in such matters as posting green interchange sings and brown historic byway signs along the Lincoln Highway in Ohio.

On hand to accept the etched glass award on behalf of ODOT was Kirk Slusher, P.E., who is the Planning Administration for ODOT District One at Lima.  The presentation of the award was officially made by LHA President Jan Shupert-Arick, who kindly made the drive from her home in Indiana.  At the request of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League, Kirk took a few minutes to discuss the history of the project and explain how transportation enhancement funds became available for this aesthetic bridge.  It was then pointed out by members of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League that in their opinion, this award was merited not only for ODOT’s vision regarding this wonderful new bridge, but also for its continuing assistance in such matters as the posting of green interchange signs and brown historic byway signs which help travelers rediscover the route of the Lincoln Highway as it traverses 241 miles across Ohio.

LHA President Jan Shupert-Arick made the trip to Galion from her home in Indiana to present the Ohio Department of Transportation with the “Exemplary Friend of the Lincoln Highway Award.”  On hand to accept the award was Kirk Slusher, Planning Administrator for ODOT District One in Lima.

In the afternoon, local educator and historian Ted Bruner presented his program entitled “Colonel Crawford’s Battle of Olentangy.”  Dressed as a pioneer militiaman, Bruner masterfully recalled the events of what has been called the last battle of the Revolutionary War.  Many of these events happened in the Lincoln Highway corridor between Leesville and Upper Sandusky.

Ted Bruner, local educator and historian on the subject of the ill-fated life of Colonel William Crawford, was masterful in telling the events which led to and included the 1782 Battle of Olentangy, which has been called the last battle of the Revolutionary War.  Crawford is the namesake of Crawford County, of which Bucyrus is the county seat.  Bruner is the superintendent of the Colonel Crawford Schools near Bucyrus.

At day’s end, members and guests then had the opportunity to tour Uptowne Galion and Brownella Cottage.  At least a few members enjoyed the spring weather and the walking tour of Uptowne Galion, and at least one group of eight toured the Brownella Cottage.  The “cottage” is an astounding shingle-style home that exhibits the original furnishings of Bishop William Montgomery Brown, who was convicted of heresy in a 1920s court case that could be compared to the O.J. Simpson case today.

A mid-afternoon photograph of Brownella Cottage in Galion. 

During the course of the business meeting, the group approved the purchase of three new “Lincoln Highway in Ohio” sign boards.  Both the Mid-Ohio Chapter and Eastern Ohio Chapter will receive one of the new boards.  The single display board that the OLHL has been using for the past several years has become somewhat outdated, and is starting to show wear.  It has also become difficult to pass it around from chapter to chapter in an efficient manner.

In addition to the “Exemplary Friend” award presented to ODOT, it was announced that State Director Marie Malernee had also received this same award after last year’s national meeting.  Marie was honored for her diligent work with the nominating committee of the Lincoln Highway Association.  In turn, Marie presented Tom Lockard with a Life Membership Certificate on behalf of the LHA.  Unfortunately, Tom’s wife Mary Lou was not able to attend.  Tom and Mary Lou join Mike and Tammy Buettner, Jim and Karen Cassler, and Mike McNaull as Ohioans who have recently become life members of the LHA.

State Director Marie Malernee presents Tom Lockard with a Life Membership Certificate from the Lincoln Highway Association.  Marie will soon be completing her term as director for Ohio, and her replacement will be announced after the LHA Annual Meeting in June at Evanston, Wyoming.  Marie served on the nominating committee of the LHA, and was honored with an “Exemplary Friend Award” for her diligent work.  Tom was part of the planning committee for the Galion meeting, along with Mike Hocker and John Renock.

                                                                                                                                                                                             UPCOMING EVENTS

MID-OHIO CHAPTER:
For information regarding chapter activities, contact Chapter President Mike McNaull at 419-281-3064
EASTERN OHIO CHAPTER:
For information regarding chapter activities, contact Chapter President Jeff Lotze at 330-875-2989
OHIO LINCOLN HIGHWAY HERITAGE CORRIDOR
August 7-9, 2008—Lincoln Highway BuyWay Yard Sale

Thank you to LHA/OLHL member Jim Cassler and The Klingstedt Brothers Company, who have donated the envelopes that were used to mail this newsletter.  Jim and his associates are the official suppliers of Lincoln Highway Merchandise.  Members are encouraged to visit the web site at www.LHTP.com for a look at the impressive inventory of items.

Buckeye Ramblings is the newsletter of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League, our state affiliate of the Lincoln Highway Association.  Editor of this newsletter and president of the OLHL is Mike Buettner (1618 Chandler Drive/ Lima, Ohio/ 45805).  Any changes of address should be forwarded to Mike at his home address, or by contacting his office via e-mail at mgbuettner@kohlikaliher.com or by phone at 419-227-1135.  Other officers through April 2009 are Mike McNaull, Vice-President; Tammy Buettner, Secretary; and Michael Lester, Treasurer.  For texts of back issues, plus photography and other Ohio information, visit the web site created and maintained by Jim Ross at www.lincolnhighwayoh.com.

THE FUTURE OF BUCKEYE RAMBLINGS
            Because costs to publish and mail this newsletter are no longer being balanced by our income from LHA state dues, we are getting closer to a time when Buckeye Ramblings must be distributed in an electronic format.  However, some members may not have a computer for viewing electronic versions of this newsletter, so it will still be necessary to produce some hard copies for ground mailing.  With that thought in mind, please complete the questionnaire below so your personal needs can best be met when the conversion to electronic mailings is made (probably by this time next year), and return your responses to the editor either by ground mail or by electronic mail (pertinent addresses are on sheet 2 of 2).
Yes
1. I don’t have a computer, and would like to continue receiving Buckeye Ramblings in the form of
a hard copy (if yes, forward your name and ground mail address)
2. I do have a computer, but would prefer to continue receiving Buckeye Ramblings in the form of
a hard copy (if yes, forward your name and ground mail address)
3. I would like to begin receiving Buckeye Ramblings in an electronic format, and would be able to
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4. I would like to continue receiving Buckeye Ramblings, but would need documents to be
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NOTE: Buckeye Ramblings will always remain available for viewing at www.LincolnHighwayOh.com

EDITOR SEEKS OBSCURE PLACE NAMES ON LINCOLN HIGHWAY IN OHIO

As the Lincoln Highway brought the rural areas of Ohio closer to its county seats and other urban locations, many significant and colorful local place names became forgotten with the passing of time.  Dangerous curves were realigned and steep hills were regraded, and unique identities were lost.  Many notorious railroad crossings were also eliminated by highway relocations or by the construction of grade separations.  With those thoughts in mind, Buckeye Ramblings is inviting readers to participate in creating an inventory of “Obscure Place Names on the Lincoln Highway in Ohio.”

These place names could include any type of geographic location, such as a highway crossroads or corner, a prominent hill or other outstanding landform, and could include any sort of named community that has disappeared from some former map.  A number of examples are shown in the multiple choice quiz that appears below.  Please send your list of place names to the editor and as time and space permit, Buckeye Ramblings will list the most interesting discoveries in future issues.  Documentation by way of a map or news clipping or other article would also be appreciated.

Match these obscure place names to their general location or description:
 
1._____Brown’s Bridge                           A. Diversion point for later route of US 30 north of East Liverpool
 
2._____Brownstown                               B. Removed after four-lane highway built around West Point
 
3._____Burgener’s Corner                       C. Junction of Rollercoaster Road and road to West Point
 
4._____California Hollow Junction            D. Interurban Stop between West Point and Lisbon
 
5._____Campbell’s Hill                           E. Located between Lisbon and Hanoverton
 
6._____Crawford’s Corner                       F. Community now lost in sprawl between Canton and Massillon
 
7._____Gilmore’s Crossing                     G. Wayne County location and site of 1928 concrete post
 
8._____Holmes Curve                             H. Steep car-killing grade east of Mifflin
 
9._____Huber Hill                                   I. Prominent intersection between Ontario and Galion
 
10._____McQuaid                                  J. Prominent intersection between Crestline and Leesville
 
11._____Mononcue                                K. Located west of west end of Leesville Road
 
12._____Mount Pleasant                        L. Former location of Seiberling Pillar east of Bucyrus
 
13._____Muntis Crossing                       M. Community on east side of river at Upper Sandusky
 
14._____Ord’s Corner                             N. Site of a tourist court and school in Hancock County
 
15._____Peterson’s Crossing                  O. Zigzag for railroad crossing between Dola and Ada
 
16._____Reedurban                               P. Prominent intersection between Cairo and Gomer
 
17._____Ritchey Bridge                          Q. Railroad crossing between Elida and Delphos
 
18._____Scott’s Crossing                       R. Church and crossroads near Indiana line in Van Wert County
 
Answers to Matching Quiz:
 
1.B  2.N  3.I  4.A  5.H  6.C  7.D  8.L  9.K  10.G  11.M  12.R  13.J  14.P  15.O  16.F  17.E  18.Q

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