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.

• Oct. 21, 1867 - was the official name change from Johnstown to Ada.1868 the first Methodist Church on SW corner of Hoosier (now Highland) and Gilbert streets was dedicated. It was unfinished at this time and was rededicated in 1871.

• August 1870 - the first financial institution was the Building & Loan No 1 Company and wound up its business affairs in October 1878.

• 1871 Ohio Northern University was founded. It was incorporated in 1871 as the Ada Normal Academy. Its first building was dedicated on Aug. 11, 1871.