MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Mahoning County, Ohio (Chicago, 1907), 728. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINA TES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY Degrees ( FORM PREPARED BY CITY OR TOWN: 2. STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na-i- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law I hereby certify that this property is included in the 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion evaluated according to the c-iteria and procedures set level of significance of this nomination is: Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation NAME AND GPO 931-894 039 Local DATE LATITUDE COUNTY Seconds LONGITUDE ORGANIZATION REGISTER Cleveland Minutes STATE ATTEST: Ohio NATIONAL CODE CORNER Western Reserve Historical Society Degrees Minutes Seconds October 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION National Register.
STREET AND NUMBER: less than one in the National Register and certify that it has been MAR 2 1 1974 Ohio (Chicago, 1921), 205-211, 234, 255. Thomas Sanderson, Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ÁCRES APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY-BOUNDARIES Jos. G. Butler, Jr., History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Title 10825 East Boulevard NAME AND TITLE: CONTROL REVIEW HISTOR IAN AUG 1 3 1974 INT: 1538-73 Entered KEEPER ARCHEOLOGIST Re-submit Send-back 3.27 MAPS Federal Register entry National Register Write-up BRANCH CHIEF WORKING NUMBER Cole REVIEW UNIT CHIEF TECH REVIEW 7:31.74 74001569 W.R.Luce Mahoring 9ct11974 Form 10-301 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (July 1968) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1.
NAME NUMERIC CODE (Asaigned by NPS) AUG 1 3 1974 2. LOCATION 3. MAP REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW GPO 932-010 1970 Youngstown Quadrangle TOWN COUNTY Mahoning DATE SOURCE COMMON NATIONAL REGISTER SCALE Mahoning County Courthouse RECEIVED NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 1:24,000 PROPERTY MAP FORM 120 Market Street AND/OR HISTORIC STREET AND NUMBER (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with map) Ohio STATE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FORM 10-301 A NAME AND/OR HISTORIC NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) AUG 1 3 1574 LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER PHOTO REFERENCE NEGATIVE FILED AT E. Johannesen 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Market Street facade, looking southwest.
MAR 2 1 1974 GPO 932-009 1973 Society DATE Mahoning TOWN COMMON Mahoning County Courthouse COUNTY Ohio NATIONAL PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER REGISTER STATE PHOTO CREDIT Western Reserve Historical NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM 120 Market Street (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with photograph) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (6/72) Youngstowmn RECEIVED UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FORM 10-301 A 1. NAME NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) AUG 1 3 1974 LOCATION 3. PHOTO REFERENCE NEGATIVE FILED AT 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. South elevation, looking northeast. MAR 2 1 1974 GPO 932-009 1973 Mahoning Society TOWN DATE COMMON NATIONAL COUNTY Mahoning County Courthouse Youngstown Western Reserve Historical STATE Ohio PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER E.
Johannesen STREET AND NUMBER AND/OR HISTORIC 120 Market Street NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM PHOTO CREDIT (6/72) (Type all entries-attach to or enclose with photograph) RECEIVED 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO OHIO-MAHONING CO. ROAD CLASSIFICATION Courthouse Mahoning County REGISTER NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY YOUNGSTOWN QUADRANGLE UNITED STATES 7 Court Street We have in our possession many items pertaining to this building such Historic Places of the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. My clipping shows, this building is privately owned; but I thought that the museum Enclosures Registry. From: for this project. Yours truly, desires and wishes are that it will be approved and be included in the National I am thanking you in advance for your consideration.
Enclosed herewith is a general history of this building along with before and after photographs of the building and local newspaper clippings on local awards, as college booklets showing picures and roster of names of people that were This property has been qualified for inclusion in the National Register of MAHONING COUNTY COURTHOUSE BUILT IN 1848 recall of a few who are residents of Canfield. To Whom it May Concern: Olde Courthouse Company William MSpeeee MAR51974 Canfield, Ohio 44406 Phone: (216) 533-4622 As this would involve considerable expense, I would I would be interested to know of your thoughts and suggestions on the idea of enrolled. SUBJECT: at specific hours and time.
be interested to know if any federal funds or public funds could become available PRESERVATION & RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL area could be set up as a non-profit organization and could be open to the public Some of the people who studied there are still living, and I can final decision, however, the records were literally confiscated In 1876 the land and building reverted to Judge Eben Newton, who - are being used by the Mahoning County Courts for storage of microfilm Courthouse Building now stands.
public subscription and the first Mahoning County Courthouse was which included excavating the basement and providing ground level Geologically, Canfield is located in the center of Mahoning County a legal battle between neighboring Youngstown who wanted the seat educators and businessmen and women boast of the fine education by Judge Eben Newton, an outstanding Canfield attorney who served moved to Youngstown, and Canfield who wanted to retain its county The Canfield Fair is now recognized as one of the best and most However, by special arrangement, first-year college work continued they were well noted for their fine landscaping and floral arrangements. the county seat.
floor to the first and second floors of which the second floor was they received in the county schools, some in the Normal College, The Altimo Culture Company also installed elevators from the ground This legal battle finally was decided by the Supreme Court by a caravan of horse and buggies. their high degree of scholastic education down through the years The first Mahoning County Fair was held for the public on the completed in 1848. the Canfield Mahoning County Fair which he helped organize in l846. from the Board of Education and at that time did extensive repairs addition on the west wing was completed and in l882 the Northeastern further normal credit to be given.
corner of Court Street and South Broad Street where the Olde to be given; and in 19l5 the school became the Mahoning County Built in l848 on the Village Green in Canfield, Ohio and others who attended after l9o8 when the state did not permit On April 9,l923,the Altimo Culture Company purchased this building records that date back to the year1848,the time Canfield became was then deeded to the county schools and was used until.l920 when Normal School, later absorbed by the county schools. entrance to same. as teacher, Judge, and State Senator in his years. He taught The property He was also the first president of beautifully kept buildings and grounds in the entire country. and have been replaced with walk-in vaults. school in Newton township. We are told they raised many prize orchids, as and are considered one of the top scholastic schools in the country.
These elevators have since then been removed Ohio. Canfialremained the county seat until l876 when there was quite These same vaults today The original grounds for the building were donated in l846 used as a ballroom. Shortly after Mr.Newton donated the land,$l0,000.was raised by The foundation walls are 42" thick of native sandstone, and the Because of its sound construction, the building has been Board of Education, all of which have beautiful views of the square feet of offices finished on the ground floor entrance first president öf the Normal College, old maps and books and soundproofed. architects and builders down through the years. roof skylights and a circular staircase from the courtroom, this Valley. form with its well-balanced proportions and cornice detail work. The building is well known for its beautiful classical Georgian other engineering group in the country.
offices along with an area County Court and offices of the State beams to keep the decor and character of the building.By using We have decorated the first floor halls with historic picures We are also exploring the possibility of finishing the attic area general information on the history of the building and Mahoning This area would have access to the bell tower for ringing the bell a museum consisting of photographs of Judge Eben Newton and the the front of the building and is completely air conditioned and have an exceptionally good tone. with machinery designed in the Olde Courthouse Building than any and raising and lowering the American Flag.(originally there was building it could be heard for a l0-mile radius and was known to a flag that was raised and lowered on top of the bell tower.) original bell isin the possession of the Canfield School.The designated as a fallout shelter.
One more thing remains- restoration of the bell tower.The and information of the area and would hope to complete this with were used which is a good testimonial to the high grade of materials walls above ground are l8" thick of solid brick that were made This building,famous for its Court and ools,was also well beams that vary in sized from l2"x12"tol8"x18"and is trussed bell to its original location. to 6 ft. in diameter. This area covers Today this magnificent historical building houses many professional could be a most unusual atmosphere for a museum and meeting room. and using this space as a historical museum.
that more bombs were made in the United States during World War II on the site at the time of construction.Local clay products The building and its details has been photographed by different approximately 2,500 square feet and has all the original hardwood Canfield Board of Education has voted unanimously to return the When this bell was on the Olde Courthouse The bell is approximately 5 ft. renewed in purpose by private; 4 make a rea This point er who has reno- gland: villages that Connecticut Western Reserve here, and the the: village green, carries the tural stamp. A. writer nearly a ture commanded "a fine outlook andi panoramic survey of the country of meadows, rolling Private enterprise can successfully preserve historic structures where there's sufficient incen- modern office building.
seat : remained until the 1870s/deaden sound, and the [2-by- tors, a lawyer, marketing.con- ditions: I) the historic structure Youngstown. After that for the trussed roof section.New building came anup-and-down heating, wiring and interior re hall, engineering center/remains so. / Courthouse. 3; structural soundness; 4) po- Without these_conditions, he apartments: he grew interested in the aging courthouse nex door, and was caught by its un houses* and gardens. The idea bought the old courthouse in 1968, a risk was involved. says, razing or restoring. It was was only 50 per cent rented byl bought it," he recalls. ing, restored the original brick County Mahoning has been made Involved Some Risk vated the origi- convincingly by century ago said that the struc- any bidders against us when we ing while retaining its tradition- modernize the interior.
closely resembied the New Ea- suburban community. Others can follow his pattern, quiet broad streets and historid came to restore the extericr and miles in every direction." When he and three partners Keeps Original Character William Speece, al charm. measure of its original charac- ter during transformation into a could have gone either he in need of extensive repairs and Jasa homebuilder. upland-and native forest for usual setting of-the commons oid courthouse,at the head of ciassic. New England architec- and general office building,a History books say Canfi-ld familiar to many. the investmt.... field into a modern office build- Court-: Canfield build- abie returt - One Step Remains he believes, under certain con- state Department: of Education pressways, is only 14 minutes is named Not so tamiiiar, however, are: to await action by. the govern- says, the return is fair.
When where, but there's more:than general contractor renovatina soft banus, he adds. velopment company, beautician, more thing jche: first built enterprise nal house, On private enterprise in land ciations. A major change, sandblast- ing, The village.has kept a good south of the Reserve Line. The southern town- Ranges, a territory peopled by Pennsylvanians mile square townships, are from the old Reserve. crews began operations from the southeast cor- U. S. Route 224 crosses the Ohio-Pennsylvania State Line theré.is.a large rock with a sueveyor's It is the chip in the granite which tells where of Representatives by only one vote after the this contention now. Columbiana County has nearly 100,000 population: Trumbull about needs to determine the whereabouts of our didate for president, Lewis Cass. Later the act Steubenville. County. county because it was near the center and easy 170,000.
this mark for guidance. other points of recognition. Mahoning County extends 10 miles north of Mahoning County is. This monument is left tially settled area. Mahoning County was not born without The county seat was Warren and Youngstown to get to and because Youngstown was not the famous Michigan territorial leader and can- Youngstown Township and the others which men who ran the famous Mason-Dixon Line political purposes the county was being created made by the Ohio and Pennsylvania Boundary with the ruin of Columbiana and Trumbull mark upon it which is important to Mahoning with Marietta as the county seat. Later in terri- cut Western Reserve which begins at the south- now form Mahoning County were then in amend the title of the bill setting forth that for torial days, the county of Jefferson was created. county should the vicissitudes of time obliterate of Trumbull County.
famous Clement Laird Vallangiham of Colum- was amended so that the county took the name ing County continued to look to Warren for Counties. Even these counties would smile at biana County, an adjustment which grew out cast corner of Poland Township and extends and Marietta and vicinity was the only substan- the Reserve line and six miles south.ofit. North It included this section and the county seat was Washington County of the Territory of Ohio This boundary and the line of the Connecti- from the original survey to establish the western One severe indentation occurs in this otherwise the establishment of the County of Cass after boundary of Pennsylvania made by the same biana County had sought in his bitterness to County on a map.
It allows the city of Salem pain.The bill creating it passed the Ohio House with Warren for the honor of being the seat 120 miles west are all a competent engineer About 2o0 paces south of the point where and its immediate vicinity to remain in Colum- of the line the county reaches west 25 miles the only county which lies both north and Canfield was selected as the seat of the new Commission of 100 years later depended upon When Trumbuli County was first constituted awake and fighting as it had been 40 years justice and such until 1846. ern tiers of townshipsin what is now Mahon- a few years before in the 1760's.The re-survey before when our town came close in the contest of the bitter fight in the Legislature when it included all of the Western Reserve section.
the Western Reserve.Ohio was not yet a state ships, six miles square.were part of the Seven ner of Poland Township to run the ranges of The first bill for the new county called fot Mahoning County was created in 1846 to form of the river. into Ohio and south of the line, west 30 miles. In the summer of 1796 when surveying people together with all these ia the two north- symetrical figure which forms Mahoning Mnhoning County Maboning County was fully arrived. It came ia the 70's when the thriving community of by a one-vole majority in the Legislature. Can- community has furnished its share of eminent steal" at every step of che. way. The court John H. Clarke. became associate justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. Samuel Huntington, one of the first governors, lived here for a time.
William MicKinley who county property in 1877, there was gloom and But besides bench and bar, counties have such Sterling was hanged behind the new Mahon- officials as sheriffs, commissioners, auditors, etc. Ave. and Wood St., a red brick structure which middle-aged Youngstowners remember. This is relatively few. Most of our officials have served - The Youngstown courthouse had been built incidents some of which tend to show the vigor structure was completed in 1908. backward off the courthouse step and was taken the Mahoning Valley..
But when the afflicted official recovered at the hospital, he issued a statement asserting that he depicting the early history of law in the Mahon- htting tribute to the great traditions of the furnished but this one state governor although David Tod also a lawyer became Ohio's Civil is one of the most impressive courthouses in experiment farm as well as the Mahoning of Mahoning Valley citizens even in straying ing County courthouse at the corner of Wick County Fair. Albeit on occasion there have been unusual with integrity and rectitude. same Congressional district as Youngstown. get the county seat.It served until the present speculative story was printed in the newspapers. gnashing of teeth in Canfield. From the creation of Mahoning County this to the hospital in an unconscious condition. backward off the steps.
The murals over the rotunda, the paintings The feeling of Canfield residents against those ing Valley and all the symbolism of justice are Down through the years the scandals that have Canfield still has many of the county institu- although that title was not then used.His son. from Canfield along with other wards and involved Mahoning County ofcials have been County's first convicted murderer, was taken had merely imbibed too heavily and had fallen Ohio and ranks among the finest structures of by private capital as part of the campaign to dent a few years later. members of the Ohio Supreme Court and one, Canton which in McKinley's Day was in the George Tod was an early Ohio chief justice The present building no matter what may be sisted for many years, but is now forgotten. from the path of duty.One county official fell members of the Ohio Bar. Several have been Mlahoning County Bar.
who participated in stealing the county seat per- One more birth pain was needed before said about its waste of space and lack of utility, It was rumored he had met foul play.A batrled raged to the U. S. Supreme Court and long counsel for Canfield was no less a person This change in county seat was achieved tions, sanatorium. county home and county served both as governor and president, was born at Niles, and grew to manhood in Poland. His County Fair. But when Sterling, Mahoning political career came when his home was in MAY 16 1974 7 Court: Street Director's Reading File BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR Keepar of the Hatlonal Register Dear Nr. Speecet ENP :WRLuce:1m1 5/13/74 and viewed their community from its highest viewing point, the tower 1. Belltower Construction Carpentry labor, Lew Speece & Bob Andrews Materials, Lumber, etc.
- Lumber City, Busy Beaver Painting, labor only - Raymond Lynn Flag Pole, material only - Modernfold Co. Wood columns, caps, bases - A.F. Schwerd Co. $ 14,413.97 $ 2,789.05 $ 3,503.68 3. Miscellaneous Signs - Johnson & Ocarz Misc. cleanup, labor, repair - Canfield Maintenance $ 1,145.02 $ 19,062.67 In addition to the above, many community-minded citizens and Belltower Restoration Committee - Jack Eversman, William Farragher, Barbara Fisher, Edgar Kimnel, William Kish, Robert Rose, William Speece - interest, effort, ideas and a lot of time. 548.60 94.50 231.30 265.12 100.00 91.52 471.25 714.63 itself. 2,657.94 1,643.86 Total Preparation Printing - Masters Printing 2,577.46 first BiCentennial project in Mahoning County reach completion right Total Miscellanecus $6,877.44 Supporting Beams in attic area - Lumber City support the tower, and establishing the Belltower Fund.
businesses donated their services, materials and invaluable time to this project. Bldg. and Zoning Permits The following is a net cost breakdown based on the expenses incurred Preparation of Loft Area to support the tower Copper Dome, flashing, labor only - West Heating Canfield has every reason to be proud. The summer of 1975 saw the Sound System for dedication -Len Nass Walter Damon, architectural plans, drawings, etc. Diamond Steel Co., Carl Schlabaugh, Spt. - moved bell from Middle Youngstown Welding & Engineering, Frank Watson, Pres. - copper promotional design, etc. Busy Beavers - display materials for Canfield Fair Booth Pecchia Bakers, Michael Pecchia, Pres. - cookies for tower raising Canfield High School Band, Mr. Cebriak, Director and Mrs. Sittig, Director and Choir - tower raising ceremonies Farmers Savings & Loan Company, Bob Rose, Pres.
- handling fund and Farmers National Bank, William Steward, Pres. - plate sales Coman Realty, Chuck Richter & Mike Coman - plate sales Army, Navy, Marines & Air Force, Color Guard - tower raising ceremonies husband owned the building, 1946 - 1968 Junior Women's League - publicity, fund raising, fund management, addressing and mailing, plate sales Boy Scouts - folding, stuffing of letters & plate sales John Dixey, Chairman of Ruritan BiCentennial Committee - lighting and Ruritan & Ruritan Auxiliary, Fact and Fiction, Canfield Historical Society, Junior Women's League, Canfield Women's Club II - Braved rain ceremonies assistance at raising School sheeting for Dome and flashing project completed.
help on collecting historical information during the time she and her for tower raising ceremonies plate sales In order to raise the remaining needed funds, the Restoration Committee Operators - donated time and work at tower raising Farmer's National Bank during banking hours, and at Coman Realty locations, through the Belltower Committee and Junior Women's League. this plate and voluntary contributions from devoted citizens who Canfield Ruritan Club-donation of flag pole and flag lighting General Foods - coffee for tower raising George Playforth Mobil Oil- Set bell in tower on ground Shenango Steel Erectors, William Campbell, Pres. - Raised belltower Canfield Fair Board - donated space and tent at fairgrounds, platform Fund, to date, has raised /0,500 Restoration funds raised by sale of Mrs.Kay Sittig-original poem set to music for tower raising in Olde Courthouse Building.
strove to preserve the future of our glorious past will soon see this In conclusion, a very special thanks goes to Edgar Kimmel, who along in Canfield and Mahoning County and may visitors also remember donated time and materials and purchased commemorative plates. Vindicator for its excellent news coverage and it feels that Mr. May the visual beauty of this Belltower restoration benefit everyone Beiltower restoration possible by his efforts in saving the original in.the construction and the raising of the Belltower. construction of the Belltower. and Mahoning County. torn down because of disrepair. Special thanks also go to Lee Stacey of Stacey's Studios in Canfield helped in documenting historical facts about the building, made this Canfield asa community who cares about their heritage.
for the fine job of photography work done during all stages of Paul Schell did a super job of photography (some pictures of which We wish to thank all those people who donated money to the fund, bell from destruction in the early 1920's when the old Belltower was The Belltower Restoration Committee wishes to thank the Youngstown with being a committee member offered many excellent suggestions and It is through their help that the task has been made much easier FEB 2 4 1976 7 Court Street (Sgd.li bcc: Director's Reading File FNP: NRowland: djb 2/23/76 Acting Keeper of the National Register County Courthouse.The background material on the history of Sincerely yours, ture of the property and its significance. the town and the photos of the restoration give a clearer pic- Robert B. Rettig BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR Dear Mr.
Speece: H34-PR Thank you for the added information concerning the Oid Mahoning Mr.William M.Speece 7 Court St. * - 533-4622 CANFIELD, OHIO 44406 TELEPHONES CODE AUG 1 3 1974 Ferrey, Aaron, House Kuenzer, Joseph II, Residence Perkins, Colonel Simon, Mansion Howard, C.B., House Hon. Charles A. Vanik The Ohio Historical Society Hon. Willian Minshall Columbus, Ohio 43211 Hon. J. Williaw Stanton Regional Director, Midwest Region Location STATE Cuyahoga County MMott/row Akron Name Geauga County 8/16/74 Northfiela Center Date Entered Independence Claridon Congregational Church Youngstown Also Notified State Historic Preservation Officer Mr.Daniel R.Porter ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Claridon Portage County Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum Mahoning County Courthouse Mahoning County Interstate #7l at 17th Ave. Hon. John F.
Seiberling Arlington Avenue District The Palmer House Summit County Brimfield Towmahip (Kent vicinity) Hon. Charles J. Carney Hon. Robert Taft, Jr. Aurora History of Canfield One, Range Three of the Connecticut Western Reserve was owned by six stockholders of the Connectieut Land Company: Judson Canfield, Samuel Canfield, James Johnston, David Waterman, Elijah Wadsworth, Nathaniel - bull County. When the southern part of Trumbull County formed the new Describing the event, Joseph G. Butler, Jr's History of Mahoning County commented in 1921: "Since that day Canfield has remained a country The first school in Canfield Township was taught in the winter of 1800-01 Ohio, Elisha Whittlesey. He was a member of the law firm of Newton and auditor of the post office treasury, and comptroller of the treasury during the Taylor, Filmore, Pierce, and Lincoln administrations.
He was given It has a proud record educationally. Joseph Badger. Since then, the following churches have been started in Canfield: Presbyterian, St. Stephen's Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and Reformed. Today, there remain three: Christian, Methodist, and Presbyterian. And there is reason to believe that Canfield will continue its marked suc- cess in the future. gregational Church under the direction of Rev.Thomas Robbins and Rev. The earliest religious organization in Canfield Township was the Con- became an outstanding figure in the Western Reserve and in the state of county and Canfield village was in the exact center of the County.
This strengthened considerably Canfield's claim to county seat honors.In 1846, County of Mahoning,Canfield 'Township was the central township of the Although few probably realize the fact, Canfield has a history dating much of the credit for the successful financing of the Civil War. an act of the Ohio Legislature made Canfield the county seat. After a Church.During the winter of 1798-1799,the inhabitantsof Canfield town- uated on high ground." back to1798 that is as colorful as is the present day village.Township Youngstown for supremacy of the town in the southernmost part of Trum- village, almost New England-like in its quiet and beauty ... prettily sit- by Caleb Palmer.In 1806 Canfield was honored with a teacher who later bitter political battle in 1874, the county seat was moved to Youngstown.
ship,(sonamed in honor of Judson only five.In the Whittlesey, a representative to the state legislature, a member of Congress, Growth and progress are significant attributes of Canfield's history. MAIN BUILDING. 11 in 1846. Canfield residents opened their homes to out-of- revelry: There was a commotion entirely new to the quiet Court by an attorney who later went to the White House, James At the appointed hour, the sheriff climbed the steps of the old Methodist Episcopal Church, the only public hail in town. Swinging a dinner bell back and forth, he announced the open- ing of the Mahoning County Court.
of the county, Youngstown proponents claimed, and many of There was no important court business, old records reveal, thing ludicrous about a judge presiding from a pulpit flanked After the Supreme Court ruling, renders of the Youngstown' by associate judges, or the words, "Hear ye, hear ye, this years' contest is ended. The prize so long coveted is at last The old Methodist Church no longer stands, but providing a secure, and Youngstoren is the county seat ..." Today the little court house built by Canfield residents in the seat is the recently renovated old court house, unused for the on a time. The transition didn't take place without a battle. Canfield History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties H. Z.
Willinms, 1882 ammunition which was taken to the United States Supreme Besides, Youngstown was evolving as the population center reminder of the days when Canfield was the Mahoning County with the understanding that the village would be the perma- town friends and acquaintances. Lawyers from neighboring The crowds began arriving early in the morning that May Register and Tribune saw,"The arguing is over.The thirty citizens had contributed land and built the old court house ments prepared in the 1840's, gave the Canfield proponents the taxes were paid and most of the litigation was handled court is now in session ..spoken from a chancel.
but it was a historic day in Canfield.And no one saw any- did not mean "forever." purpose since the 1870's when Youngstowon became the county towns and counties made hotel bar rooms ring with sportive the Supreme Court judges ruled, meant "not temporary." lt village. there. seat. nent county seat.The word"permanent,"used in legal docu mid-nineteenth century has been restored._It serves asa Elizah Wadsworth, Nathaniel Church and Samuel Canfield bought 16,324 acres formed Canfield Township No. 1 in Range No. 3. was split in half in 1846 and Mahoning County was formed. (Incidentally dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. declared this territory a part of a new nation...conceived in Liberty and Eastern Corner of Ohio) and was claimed by the state of Connecticut.
In 1797 was formed Canfield, the geographical center, was made County Seat and a courthouse was needed.Judge Eben Newton donated this land (which he had 1802.First couple married here:Joseph Pangburn and Lydia Fitch.
and Indian Wars.Then one year later a Brief document penned by Thomas Jefferson raised by voluntary public contributions from the citizens of Canfield.History Mahoning is an Indian word meaning "Beautiful Meadow.")When the new county Construction began in1ate 1846.The funds for this building($10,000)were in 1800 it was voted to be named after Judson Canfield.First family to This land became known as the Western Reserve 14 County area in the North This land...this 1and upon which we stand today was,200years ago British soil..Claimed by the hated GeorgeIll and contested in the French Trumbull County from the formation of the state in1803until Trumbull County In 1798 the town was surveyed and lots laid out.
Originally called Campfield, from the Connecticut land company for 79¢ an acre paying $12,903.23 and Canfield on the very Southern edge of the Western Reserve was part of arrive:Champion Minor.First child born here:Royal Canfield Chidister The original Bell Tower was built in 1847 and the bell, cast by A. J. Fulton and Sons in Pittsburgh, was hung. Court was held in the Methodist Church until 42" thick made of native sandstone, the walls are 18" thick made of soft An interesting note about our bell. Like another famous bell, it developed a crack in the 1850's. It's thought that Elisha Whittlesey, through his influence with Mr. Lincoln, saved the bell from being melted down for Pittsburgh and because of metal shortage, melted down and recast.
So in a sense we have the original bell, which you heard Barbara Fisher ring to start our parade.It measures 3% feet at the mouth, weighs 1300 pounds The Olde Courthouse served as a County Courthouse from 1848 to 1876 when Canfield. It became a Normal College, the Canfield High School, an orchid factory, a dance hall, an engineering center, and today once again Washington in which future president James Garfield unsuccessfully defended a bona fide Courthouse and Professional Office Building. is repeating itself in the Tower Restoration Fund. brick to deaden sound and keep out drafts... the brick was fired on the property Youngstown became the County Seat after a Supreme Court trial in hand hewn white oak. from native clay.The beams- some of which you will see today-are 12x 18 and when rung from the roof can be heard.10 miles.
munitions during the Civil War.After the war the bell was shipped to this building was completed.The foundations of the Olde Courthouse are 1920's, the original Bell Tower fell into disrepair and had to be torn down. The Bell was then moved to the roof of the Middle School Building, then the interest in our past, of old principles that have worn thin; may it last experiment is yet alive, that free men can govern themselves, raise the quality of their lives as well as their standard of living, protect the freedom of speech and the press, engage in profitable free enterprise and This Tower is the result of voluntary giving, voluntary sweat and thinking, of cooperative work, of careful workmanship and idealistic dreaming. In that, it symbolizes our glorious past. Let us hope it will from its lofty perch earth. observe an even greater American achievement in our future you.
May we pray that this beautifully restored Tower will symbolize a rebirth of backgrounds; may the bell ring out to the world that our noble American above all live in peace with their fellow passengers on this space ship returned home to this spot. new High School.There itremained for 50 years until.this spring when it true equality and brotherhood of all races and beliefs and sexes and ethnic About the end of the buildings' career as a High School, in the early 200: years and may those years witness less violence than the past, more son, and Berlin, in the County of Trumbull. November 23." through the townships and a total of 404 signatures were submitted thereon.
Remonstrances from Trum- bull County residents, however, totalled 1347 names The county would probably have been formed, the Index contended, had there not broken out in the Legislature a quarrel about where the county seat should be. lature insisted that a certain sum of money be put up ally set up by the legislature, placed Canfield in the center, and Youngstown 10 miles northeast of the Stacey Village Studio Pride of the Village of Canfield when it was Western Reserve as the "county seat," the restored Canfield Answers Call for Workers ön Courthouse time. It was erected in 1846 out of donations from In early August, less than three months after the historic old bell tower, long since removed, was 27th, a progress report indicated that Canfield was this structure as a part of Canfield's observance of the well on its way in accepting the challenge.
The ex- stone cutters were on the scene, busily engaged in County Plan."One group of petitioners pushed for the boundaries to be established so that Youngstown burned and the rest were being made. would have been made the seat of Trumbull County, thereupon taking parts of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Portage Counties to form a new county with Newton the Ravenna Court House, and would be of the same size. Asserting that it would be as fine a court house has been accomplished without a cent of cost to the by the election to the legislature, of men who were favorable to this plan. house, the Index on September 2, stated that there The move to remove the county seat from Warren elect as commissioners, those candidates who favored taxing the rest of the townships in the county for the erection of the court house and other county build- ings.
The Index stated that it had been authorized to deny the truth of any such scheme, and that Canfield itself was paying for the court house construction. the county seat competition. By September 16, the walls were complete to the second story level, and the assertion was repeated, one of these was, of course, the Orange Plan. The Alternate Plans for Erecting Mahoning County There were yet other plans for the erection of a new county, apart from that known as the "Orange County, and Mesopotamia, Bloomfield, Green, Gust- avus, Kinsman, and Vernon from Trumbull County, the county seat honors. The new Trumbull county Bicentennial.
villagers who were glad to make such contributions plan which sought the county seat for Greene or of Trumbull County townships were contenders in Greene and Gustavus in the most northerly tier "without one cent of taxation to the people." county,*giving her priority on the county seat claim. *How the Orange Plan would have placed Youngstown at Falls as the county seat.This would have taken away that village had enjoyed.In Warren's favor was the County seat.All this was to have been accomplished The Legislative Committee at the State Legis- leaving it to Greene and Gustavus to fight it out for recreated and restored to its original position atop in order to secure the county seat designation.The A meeting in 1843at Newton Falls brought forth appears in the Index under date of July29,1846. granted formation.
The Orange County arrangement would have placed Youngstown at the center of the call for proposals from stone cutters, brick masons, and other workmen, which had appeared on May cutting stone and preparing the foundation and in The Court House, it was said, would resemble as any in the state, it was added that "the building Cherry Valley, New Lyme, Andover, Windsor, Orwell, the center of the county is not clear, although this statement Colebrook, Wayne and Williamsfield in Ashtabula structure continues to grace the village green with did not take into account the encouraging growth for county buildings before the county could be axiom that "Possession is nine points of the law." The county asit stands as origin- plementation of many federal programs in selected target areas of communities, with the fullest possible of 1974 made possible the more effective attack of munity development.
Included in these programs are Open Space, urban beautification, historic preservation anticipating approval of its Community Development Meanwhile, in whichever direction one chose to The Youngstown Vindicator Soon to be lifted into place, the Olde Bell which is comparable to any of Ohio's state university Tower had but a few minutes to remain on the ground facilities. The Federal Plaza Program and the other when this picture was taken atop the roof which awaited its placement. years to come. RESTORATION OF THE BELL TOWER ON THE OLDE MAHONING COUNTY COURT HOUSE WAS A MAJOR BICENTENNIAL EVENT Of major significance to the entire county was the House at Canfield, an event of Saturday, August 23rd Common to see the tower lifted into place. Street marked the opening of the Bell Tower Restor- time from atop the roof of the Court House. Seated across the Green was 100 year-old Mrs.
Laura Hawkins Band, and the Canfield High School Choir. 532 1975- poignant experience in nostalgia. The Housing and Community Development Act Development Program resulted in a state university Raising was caught here by Vindicator Photographer Lyle Clemmons and Cliff Morrison in Revolutionary input for residents of the target areas. restoration of the Bell Tower on the Olde Court grants, public facility loans, water and sewer and Street past the Court House, and north on Broad ation Program on Saturday, August 23rd. Led by Armed Forces Color Guard, Canfield High School for whom the tolling of the bell was a particularly An impressive procession from West Broad War period uniforms, the procession included an The most dramatic moment of the Tower Program by the summer of the Bicentennial Year.
evidences of redevelopment will live on for many urban problems through a single program of com- declared an unsafe structure, the original tower was removed some half a century ago, the bell mean- Under the leadership of William Speece and a large number of Canfield residents, the new tower, was adopted as one of the major Bicentennial projects memorial marker erected to honor John Young and James Hillman and other early pioneers, was con- ceived by Architect H. Walter Damon whose service Bicentennial observance was of major proportions. With the largest United States flag manufactured the assembled throng, the opening of the Bicentennial OPENING OF CANFIELD FAIR MARKS cannon on the Village Green by the Mahoning Valley OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF MAHONING- Bicentennial Colonial Guard.
At the time this picture YOUNGSTOWN BICENTENNIAL YEAR While many activities relative to the observance taken prior to August 28th, the Mahoning-Youngstown Bicentennial Year on Canfield Common on that date which also marked the opening of the 129th Annual Canfield Fair. An impressive ceremony was conducted Senator Taft urged the people to: from a speakers' platform erected before the Olde County Court House, from which a procession led are aware that even as we recall history, we President Elden R. Groves and Fair Board Director in which he said: tional bicentennial year, the Mahoning Valley His- torical Society observed the 100th anniversary of its appointed buffet presented in a candle-lighted setting American spirit, and if this be a period of under a festive tent on the grounds of the Arms national and international crisis which many Museum.
Presiding was General Donald Lynn, distin- guished attorney, one-time president of the historical dollars or even guns that will stand between society, and military veteran whose service continued Mrs. Harriet Wick Schaff, director of the museum, was in charge of the affair which was adjourned with In his opening remarks, Bicentennial Commission the stipulation that all present should attend a similar Director Edward J. Hulme recalled the words of John festivity to be scheduled for September 10 in the Year of Our Lord 2075. 533 observance. crowd. -1975 School building. us and disaster. history." riage Museum Dedication.
Bicentennial Committee to the newly constructed Carriage Museum on the for many years in leadership within the Ohio-National "The Bicentennial should renew the native designed according to specifications of the original Robert Rose participated at the Fair Grounds Car- Adams who on the first Independence Day while finding sanctuary at the old Canfield High believe it tobe,it is this spirit more than are making history. Each and every one of Having stood atop the Court House until it was As the nation observed the na Year was officially launched by the discharge ofa Bicentennial Year opening, the event at Canfield anywhere, hoisted into place amid the applause of was taken, Bicentennial Chairman Clingan Jackson cannons, parades, and fireworks.. "Let history show that as we stood here we Fairgrounds. Senator Robert A. Taft, Jr.
was the speaker at the Court House ceremony, Fair Board fabric of individual experiences that is Guard. Bicentennial Commission Chairman Clingan Jack- of the national Bicentennial Year had been under- Appearing in a costume reminiscent of Benjamin founding on September 10,1875,ata beautifully son presiding at the Green,gave a challenging appeal of the village.The design of the tower and of the saw that the In Jani as a circuit r preached. Hi one of the i to Canfield held several: of Union ad The Old Union School Building on Wadsworth Street Edwards, pro Those ( College Chapel - Canfield, Ohio The College Chapel of the North-Eastern Ohio Normal School, possessing acoustics of such high quality that the ticking of a watch on stage could be heard in the back of the auditorium. enterprising congregation religion was North-Eastern Ohio Normal College and again in Reserve.
The the settleme which made adopted the byterian Ch received in th Robbins froi settlers in a visits to the The ea This plan wa There is no
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