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Friday, 27 February 2009 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
WAPAKONETA — The county historical society is looking for residents' input for a project that would recognize the area's roots.
The Auglaize County Historical Society is hoping to bring more Ohio Historical Markers to the county and is looking for application suggestions, administrator Rachel Barber said.
"I'm looking for sites of local, regional, statewide or even national recognition that we could honor with a marker," Barber said. There are currently six Ohio Historical Markers in the county — the 1918 Cridersville Fire, the arrival of the Dayton and Michigan Railroad in Wapakoneta, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dudley Nichols, Fort Amanda, Miami-Erie Canal and the Shannon Stock Company.
She said the markers, which are administered by the Ohio Historical Society through the Ohio Historical Markers Program, would also bring business to the area by attracting tourists who travel around visiting each historical site.
"The historical society thought it was important that we look at getting the word out and getting them here," Barber said, adding that the society is trying to represent the entire county.
Although the program is run through the state, it is the local historical society's responsibility to nominate the sites and they have to go through a few steps to nominate a site.
"We have to come up with mock language and look at what's out there for information on the site," she said. "Then we'll have a committee meeting before making the decision about what we can apply for."
In order to be considered for a marker, the subject must meet one of the following: be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of history; be associated with persons no longer living or with ethnic groups who have made a significant contribution; embody distinctive characteristics of a type, style or method of construction; yield information important to prehistory or history; embody characteristics of the state representing significant aspects of the physical or natural history of the earth and its life.
Barber said the society is looking to implement at least two markers a year.
"That would really start making an impact over the years," she said, adding that it’s a way to get residents involved. "History happens in our own backyard, that's why we thought it would be idea."
Those with marker suggestions can contact Barber at 419-738-9368 by March 7. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 March 2009 )
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