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111-years ago on Main Street

Posted by Fred Steiner on Thursday, July 18, 2013

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These may not be familiar names in Ada today, but in 1904 they were the familiar faces on Ada's Main Street.

Ada business people, top row from left,  Cylde Sharp, cashier, First National Bank; Louis Greer, shoes; Jos. August, variety store; Cliff F. Landon, druggist; Ray Sharp, millinery.

Second row from left, O.S. Melhorn, grocery, Wm. McCafferty, meat market; Louis Brewer, grain and implements; M.S. King, bargain store; John Young, druggist.

Bottom row from left, M.L. Snyder, University Herald; Levi Anspach, Ada Lumber Co.; Clark Provenmire, grocer; and David Watt, jeweler.

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1958 Orange Township fox hunt

Posted by Fred Steiner on Wednesday, July 10, 2013

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Although this photo has its roots a bit north of Ada, it may have some Ada connections.

There's several things we know about this photo - and several unknowns. The photo was taken as a black and white snapshot in February 1958 in front of the Orange Township garage. It's a group of fox hunters with three foxes.

What we lack is an identification of the hunters. We've enlarged the photo as much as possible without losing a viewable image.

We invite Icon viewers to take a stab at naming these men.

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Ada fire 100 years ago

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, July 1, 2013

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This devastating fire destroyed the administration building at Ohio Northern University 100 years ago this year.

The fire took place on Nov. 4, 1913, and was discovered at 2 a.m. You can see silhouettes of persons watching the fire in the center of the photograph. The photo is from a postcard.

(From the collection of Leland Crouse)

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Ada history on a 1915 postcard

Posted by Fred Steiner on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

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Sometimes history is written on a postcard. Here's an example. Postmarked June 7, 1915, is a post card from Elizabeth, who is apparently a student at Ohio Northern University. The message follows:

To:

Mr. Chas. Conkle
Howard, Ohio
Knox, Co.,

This is the interior of new Lehr auditorium taken from platform. Wish you many more pleasant and happy birthdays. With Love, Elizabeth.

How is grpa? Will write letter soon. Will be a junior next year.

(Post card from the collection of Leland Crouse)

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Get married and buy your furniture at Mertz's

Posted by Fred Steiner on Tuesday, May 28, 2013

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"Get married and buy your furniture at Mertz's." That's the sentiment of this photo post card taken the the turn of an early Ada century.

Writing on the back of the photo follows: "Art Mertz and Sons, Ada, Ohio, Harold and James W."

(From the collection of Leland Crouse)

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Ada before the automobile

Posted by Fred Steiner on Monday, May 20, 2013

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Here's an amazing view of Main Street Ada before the arrival of the automobile. This scene looks north from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Notice two tracks on the railroad - one for westbound and one for eastbound trains.

Also notice the canopies over several storefronts and at least two horse-drawn carriages. Does the store sign on the east side of the street read "Rhonemus"? Can you make out the wording on the sign above the canopy on the west side of the street.

This is a colorized post card.

(Photo from the collection of Leland Crouse)

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