March 2023 – Tuscarawas County Stories

One House’s Story: The Pfeiffer Family

The Pfeiffer Saloon and residence on West Front Street, Dover, Ohio, 2023. (Source: earth.google.com)

I enjoy good barbecue as much as anyone. The other day I drove past one of Dover’s local barbecue restaurants and, knowing how Front Street was a collection of hotels and saloons in the early 20th century, I wondered who had called that building home (and work) in the past. This is the story ofContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Pfeiffer Family”

The “Freak Animal Critter” Hoax of New Philadelphia

An AI generated image of a ring-tailed cat in a cage. DALL·E 2023-03-23 11.23.38

Since April Fools Day is coming up, I thought I would share a story of a time when someone tried to fool the entire Tuscarawas County community and beyond. As Oscar R. Long (1888-1960) told it, he was out hunting racoons in the Stonecreek Valley in early February 1930 when he caught the most unusualContinue reading “The “Freak Animal Critter” Hoax of New Philadelphia”

A Tuscarawas County Find: The Journal of George H. Zimmerman

Journal entry from the George H. Zimmerman journal found at a New Philadelphia thrift store, 1912.

The other day my wife came home from visiting local thrift stores with an interesting item. She purchased what appeared to be the journal of a person named George H. Zimmerman (1889-1946) and I, being me, needed to learn more. How George H. Zimmerman’s journal for the year 1912 ended up in a Tuscarawas CountyContinue reading “A Tuscarawas County Find: The Journal of George H. Zimmerman”

One House’s Story: The Dodd Family

The Dodd House on Fair Avenue NE in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2014. (Source: google.com)

This house’s origin story is tied to another New Philadelphia building’s history through its owner and his nearly 40 years of business in Tuscarawas County. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. The Reverend James H. Dodd (1833-1891) relocated his family from Pennsylvania to Port Washington, Ohio in theContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Dodd Family”

One House’s Story: The Nabor Family

The Nabor House on Tuscarawas Avenue in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2019. (Source: google.com)

I have driven past this home on Tuscarawas Avenue in New Philadelphia many times and thought, after my passing it again the other day, it was time to explore its history and discover what stories it had to tell. It is a story connected to two others already told. A note about addresses: House numbersContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Nabor Family”

One House’s Story: The Carey Family

The Carey House located on 2nd Street NE (historically North Third Street), New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2014. (Source: google.com)

There is a little house in New Philadelphia that I’ve walked passed numerous times and, as it still looks like it is beloved by its owner, was curious about its history. It turns out it is the story of a late 19th century family matriarch, her status as an esteemed resident, and her modest lifeContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Carey Family”