local history – Page 17 – Tuscarawas County Stories

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”

One House’s Story: The Kreiter Family

The Kreiter House on North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio, 2013. (Source: google.com)

There are many large and decorative homes lining North Wooster Avenue in Dover, Ohio. Nestled among them is a somewhat more modest house that was once home to a Dover grocer and his family. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. While it has been difficult to establish detailsContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Kreiter Family”

One House’s Story: The Denison Family

The Denison House on Faire Avenue NW in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2023. (Source: google.com)

Every house in a community, regardless of size or expense, can tell us a story about its past inhabitants and their lives. This modest brick home in New Philadelphia includes stories of a beloved community member and family tragedies. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know has aContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Denison Family”

One House’s Story: The Gribble Family

Feature image of the Gribble House, 2023.

The stretch of North Broadway that spans from Ray Avenue to Tuscora Park is dotted with many fine homes. Among them is a home built by a man who was a Civil War veteran, a longtime public servant, a well-respected member of the New Philadelphia community, and son of one of Tuscarawas County’s early pioneers.Continue reading “One House’s Story: The Gribble Family”

A Fort Laurens Soldier’s Life and Death

Fort Laurens as it looked in the 1920s. (Source: ohiomemory.org)

Many of us are familiar with the many struggles faced by the short-lived garrison at Fort Laurens. Rather than focus on that, I thought I would look at the life, and death, of one soldier in particular. He was a Virginian and his name was Private George Osborne. This branch of the Osborne family hasContinue reading “A Fort Laurens Soldier’s Life and Death”

One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family

The Hendershott House on Fair Avenue NW in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 2019. (Source: google.com)

This house sits prominently on the corner of a busy New Philadelphia intersection and has, over time, transitioned into a multi-family dwelling. Its roots though lie with the family of a Civil War Veteran and successful New Philadelphia businessperson. A note about addresses: House numbers and street names often change over time. There is someContinue reading “One House’s Story: The Hendershott Family”