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Once upon a time in Ada: Some Ada firsts that may interest you

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 29, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

Ada's First

• April 11, 1853 - the first train traveled through Ada.

• 1855 - Albert Wylie was the first physician at Ada.

• 1861 - Ada was incorporated with Horace J. Gilbert first mayor.

• 1866 - H.S. Lehr was the first Ada public school superintendent and served until 1871 when his  “select school” had grown and claimed all of his time.

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Christmas season, downtown Ada, 1956

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 29, 2016

Do you remember these holiday lights in downtown Ada at Christmas time?

This photo shows Ada's Main Street 60 years ago, in 1956. The photo is unusual in at least two respects. It's a nighttime shot of Ada. And, it's a winter scene. Most older photos of Ada that we've seen are spring-summer-fall and daylight scenes.

There are plenty of  American-made V-8 gas hogs on the street as we notice a couple Buicks, a Ford and maybe an Oldsmobile.

Other observations of this photo are welcome from Icon viewers: [email protected].

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Once upon a time in Ada: Read what happened in Ada in the 1880s

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 22, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

July 5, 1883 - the Carmen Post No. 101 Grand Army of the Republic was formed.

December 8, 1883 - The Home Savings Building and Loan association was chartered, with Albert B. Charles as secretary, treasurer.

1884 - the law college at Ohio Northern University was formed.

Feb. 1-2, 1884 - the first farmers institute was held at Ada.

Feb. 1885 - the first house numbers were being used.

June 14, 1886 - the first ordinances against liquors sales passed.

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Can you name the group and school year?

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 22, 2016

It's the 1977-78 Ada High School pep band. What instrument did you play?

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63 years later - here's bird's-eye view of our community

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 15, 2016

How much has Ada changed in 63 years?

Here's why a photograph is worth a thousand words. We invite you to study this bird's-eye view of Ada taken in 1953 and published in the souvenir program of th Ada centennial.

Fifteen buildings are identified on this aerial map and their legend to the 15 is on the map's bottom.

Can you find your house from here?

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Once upon a time in Ada: Did you know there was an Ada community band in 1880?

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, August 15, 2016

Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
[email protected]

In1880 the Ada Community band was organized. Among members of the first band were “Squire” Lantz, Chris Young, Henry Young, William Young, M.V. Gilbert, Ed. Gilbert, Wesley Gilbert, Lem Linderman and George Loudenslager. The band celebrated their 55th anniversary in 1935.

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