Some Historical Images of the First Soap Box Derby, Held in Dayton, OH, in 1933

Kids playing on home-made scooters and go karts in the 1930s was not an unfamiliar sight in the streets of America, and racing in organized events was an inevitable outcome of it. As early as 1904 Germany conducted its first soapbox race for kids, and in 1914 there was the Junior Vanderbilt Cup in Venice, California that held a kids race as well.

The Soap Box Derby story began on June 10, 1933 when six boys were racing homemade push carts in Dayton, Ohio, among them William Condit whose father suggested they have a race and that he would contact the local newspaper to have them cover it. The other participants were Dean Gattwood, Tracey Geiger Jr., Robert Gravett, James P. Hobstetter and William Pickrel Jr.. Of the six, Condit won that race, with Gravett taking second.

“Start of the heat” at the top of Burkhardt Hill at the first Soap Box Derby, Summer, 1933.

Spectators watch the race just past the finish line.

Myron Scott awards a trophy to the first place winner.

To the right of the young man in the car is Alice Johnson, who came in second place.

Myron Scott, a 25-year-old photojournalist for the Dayton Daily News looking for ideas for its Sunday Picture Page, was one of two photographers that got the call, and accepting the assignment ventured out to investigate. Seeing the appeal of a kids story like this he asked the boys to return in two weeks with more of their friends so he could host a race of his own. When they did nineteen showed up, bringing with them racers made of packing crates and soap boxes, sheets of tin and whatever else they could find. The race was held on Big Hill Road in Oakwood, a south-side neighborhood of Dayton, with a crowd of onlookers coming to watch. Seizing on a publicity opportunity, Scott decided to plan an even bigger city-wide event with the support of his employer, the Dayton Daily News, which recognized the hope-inspiring and goodwill nature of the story—especially during the Depression. It posted advertisements of it almost daily to stir interest, and included an application which stipulated “for anything on four wheels that will coast” for the kids to fill out. A date was set for August 19, 1933, to host a parade, the race to occur a day after, and the location chosen as Burkhardt Hill, a straight, westbound slope on Burdhardt Ave east of Downtown Dayton.

On the appointed weekend a turnout of 460 kids along with 40,000 onlookers caught everyone by surprise, and Scott knew he was onto something big. From the original 460 cars, 362 were deemed safe enough to participate, including Robert Gravett, the only boy from the original Oakwood six that made an appearance. At day’s end sixteen year old Randy Custer, who also hailed from Oakwood, took the championship in his “slashing yellow comet” on three wheels, with eleven year old Alice Johnson—who shocked many when they saw she was a girl after removing her helmet—taking runner-up.

Scott immediately set about making the race an All-American event the following year, and sought a national sponsor, selling the idea successfully to the Chevrolet Motor Company to co-sponsor with the Dayton Daily News. He was also able to induce many newspapers from coast to coast to sponsor local races on the merits that the story would increase circulation. From the photographs taken at the very first race of the six boys, he selected runner-up Robert Gravett’s entry as the archetypal soap box car, and designed it into the national logo along with the now official name, Soap Box Derby, which became a registered trademark.

Cirque du Soleil, the 1860s Midwestern Style

This carte de visite by A.R. Gould of Carrollton, Ohio show large posters plastered along a thoroughfare in Carrollton, Ohio, tease the arrival of Stow’s Great Varieties, a unique traveling show that performed in several Midwestern states in the 1860s. Reports collected from newspapers.com list these dates and locations:

July 1864: Grand Haven, Mich.

August 1866: Plymouth, Ind.

August 1867: McArthur, Jackson, and Hillsboro, Ohio.

September 1867: Lancaster and Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

May 1868: Plymouth, Ind.

Advertising posters of Stow’s Varieties plastered along a thoroughfare in Carrollton, Ohio in the 1860s

The use of colorful advertisements appears to be a regular feature of Stow’s Varieties. “Immense and splendid posters on the public square announce the coming of a novel exhibition,” noted Ohio’s Lancaster Gazette on September 5, 1867 of a forthcoming September 14 event.

“Novel exhibition” is one of several references to the show. “Old circuses will not be rehearsed, but a new style of performance, different than anything ever before the public,” noted one newspaper. Another observed, “It is not a circus, but offers an entertainment more varied, unique and attractive than any circus, as a reference to the programmes so liberally scattered in our community will satisfy the most skeptical.”

In essence, the show combined aerobatic and acrobatic troupe performances by gymnasts, including tightrope walking, dancing in costumes, and original music. Seems to be an 1860s Midwestern version of Cirque du Soleil.

Newspapers gave the show very positive reviews. One named the owner as John Stow.

Floyd’s Place, 1938

Floyd’s Place, Roadside inn, Central Ohio, summer 1938. From a series of photos taken along Route 40, by Ben Shahn, a Lithuanian-born American artist and member of the Social Realist movement. The figure of the body, originally distributed to advertise the Newark Indian Mounds, has been redecorated.

Vintage Photos of the First Columbus Mounted Police Unit in 1922

The first mounted police unit in Columbus, Ohio was formed in 1922. The horses were purchased using donations and the donors were allowed to name the horses. The Columbus Automobile Club facilitated the donations and purchase of the horses.

The primary task of the mounted unit was to assist with downtown traffic. The Ohio State Journal noted at the time that: “Mounted officers are more efficient in handling traffic, in the opinion of Auto Club officials, because the mounted defenders are able to see traffic.”

These photo were taken around 423 Short St. in the Brewery District of Columbus, Ohio in 1922.

Incredible Photos Show Ashtabula Street Scenes After the Ice Storm of February 1909

On February 8th and 9th, a major snowstorm enveloped Ashtabula, Ohio with blizzard conditions.

Over 100 years ago, the road system in this region was more like trails, with horse-drawn wagons and sleighs still a primary means for getting around. Rail was another popular mode of transportation. But snow removal over rail lines was primitive at best in those days. Therefore needless to say, many areas were paralyzed for some time.

These incredible photos captured street scenes of Ashtabula, Ohio after winter ice storm of February 14 and 15, 1909.

Elm Street After Ice Storm, Ashtabula, Ohio, February 1909

Center Street After Ice Storm, Ashtabula, Ohio, February 1909

Center Street Looking West After Ice Storm, Ashtabula, Ohio, February 1909

Center Street Near PRR Depot After Ice Storm, Ashtabula, Ohio, February 15, 1909

Flat Iron Park After Ice Storm, Ashtabula, Ohio, February 15, 1909

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Fascinating Photos of High School Junior Prom in the Late 1950s

Every year during the month of June excited high school students prepare for “the” social event of the year - the annual high school prom. The prom is a formal dance that marks the end of a school year. Although schools may have proms for each year’s class, the senior prom is the biggest of all. For graduating seniors, it commemorates their last year of high school.

Many students spend a lot of time, money and effort in planning for the evening’s event. In past years, the prom was more of a couple’s event. A boy would ask a girl to be his date, and he would escort her to the prom. This meant buying the girl a flower (a corsage) to wear at the dance and picking her up at her home. It also meant meeting the parents and having lots of pictures taken!

Today’s proms have less emphasis on couples. Many students go with a date, but many also go with a friend, in groups of friends or even alone (stag). Whether you have a date or not, the evening is full of laughter and tears of joy.

These fascinating photos from Sheila K. Helser that show junior prom of Mt. Vernon High School, Ohio around 1958 and 1959.

Before prom party at Winger house

Before prom party at Winger house

Jack Stauch - Babes in Toyland

Jack Stauch - Babes in Toyland

Mt. Vernon dance in high school auditorium

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Amazing Photos Capture Street Scenes of Columbus in the 1900s

Columbus is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest after Chicago, and the third-most populous U.S. state capital after Phoenix, Arizona and Austin, Texas.

Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County; it also extends into Delaware and Fairfield counties. It is the core city of the Columbus metropolitan area, which encompasses ten counties in central Ohio. It is the largest metropolitan area entirely in Ohio and 14th-largest city in the U.S.

The city has a diverse economy based on education, government, insurance, banking, defense, aviation, food, clothes, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail and technology. The metropolitan area is home to the Battelle Memorial Institute, the world’s largest private research and development foundation; Chemical Abstracts Service, the world's largest clearinghouse of chemical information; and the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States.

Take a look at these amazing photos to see what street scenes of Columbus looked like in the 1900s.

High St. south from Chestnut St., Columbus, Ohio, circa 1900s

A view of the southeast corner of East Long and North Pearl Streets in downtown Columbus, Ohio, 1900

Broad & High Streets looking northeast, Columbus, Ohio, circa 1900s

City Hall, E. State St. and Pearl Columbus, Ohio, circa 1900s

High St. at night, Arch City, Columbus, Ohio, circa 1900s

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Amazing Photos Capture Grocery Stores in Massillon From the Late 19th Century

A grocery store is a store that primarily retails a general range of food products, which may be fresh or packaged.

Beginning as early as the 14th century, a grocer (or “purveyor”) was a dealer in comestible dry goods such as spices, peppers, sugar, and (later) cocoa, tea, and coffee. From the late 1600s until the 1850s, the word “grocery” referred to a place where people went to drink.

As increasing numbers of staple food-stuffs became available in cans and other less-perishable packaging, the trade expanded its province. Today, grocers deal in a wide range of staple food-stuffs including such perishables as dairy products, meats, and produce. Such goods are, hence, called groceries.

Here is a set of amazing photos from Massillon Museum that shows what grocery stores of Massillon looked like in the 1880s and 1890s.

Albright & Co. Grocery Store, Massillon

Albright and Breckel Grocery Store, Massillon

Albright and Breckel Grocery Store, Massillon

C.G. Audi Grocery, Massillon

Charles Breckel Grocer, 10 North Erie St., Massillon

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30 Fascinating Photos Capture Street Scenes of Massillon, Ohio in the 1960s

Massillon is a city in Stark County in the U.S. state of Ohio, approximately 8 miles (13 km) west of Canton, 20 miles (32 km) south of Akron, and 50 miles (80 km) south of Cleveland. It is the second largest incorporated area within the Canton–Massillon metropolitan area, which includes all of Stark and Carroll counties.

The city’s incorporated area primarily resides in the western half of Perry Township, with portions extending north into Jackson Township, west into Tuscarawas Township, and south into Bethlehem Township. The village of Navarre borders the city to the south.

These fascinating photos from Massillon Museum were taken by Jack Worthington (1921-2009) that show street scenes of Massillon, Ohio in the 1960s.

Corner of 1st and Lincoln Way W, Massillon, Ohio, August 1960

Carver St NW, Massillon, Ohio, November-December 1960

Joe Cettl Tailor and The Beauty Box Freigs, Massillon, Ohio, July 1960

New Central Restaurant, Massillon, Ohio, November 1961

1st St NW, Massillon, Ohio, October 1962

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40 Incredible Photos of the Great Flood of 1913 in Massillon, Ohio

The Great Flood of 1913 claimed nearly 500 lives in Ohio and caused more than $300 million in property damage – in today’s dollars, infrastructure damage is estimated at a staggering $3 billion. It is the greatest natural disaster on record in Ohio’s history.

The flood also left behind a trail of death, despair and property damage in the Muskingum River Watershed, which is the state’s largest wholly contained watershed covering an area of all or portions of 27 counties and more than 8,000 square miles. In the Muskingum River Watershed drainage area alone, 11 people died and millions of dollars of property damage occurred.

These incredible photos from Massillon Museum show the aftermath of the Great Flood of 1913 in Massillon, Ohio.

B&O railroad engine lifted after tracks undermined, Massillon, Ohio, 1913

Chestnut on N. Mill, Massillon, Ohio, 1913

Dolls, Menfurnishing, 10 W. Main, Massillon, Ohio, 1913

Downtown Massillon near Canal and Erie Streets, Massillon, Ohio, 1913

Erie Street South, streetcar, Massillon, Ohio, 1913

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Amazing Photos of the Massillon Street Fair in 1898

The Massillon Board of Trade sponsored a spectacular Merchants’ Street Fair in 1898 to feature local businesses. Many grocers, clothiers, manufacturers, and miscellaneous stores set up. There were side shows, performances, and raffles. Unfortunately a fire in several of the booths cut the celebration short.

These amazing photos from Massillon Museum were taken by Stan Baltzly, an amateur photographer that show the street fair in Massillon, Ohio in 1898.

Booths at 1898 Street Fair, 1898

Allman & Putman Dry Goods booth, 1898

Baltzly Drug booth, 1898

Bechtal & Taggart Grocers booth, 1898

Beer booth, 1898

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Farmer Grows Pumpkins With Human Faces, 1938

In 1938, pumpkins with human faces have been produced by John M. Czeski, Ohio farmer, after four years of experimenting.

A mold shaped this pumpkin to the likeness of a human head.

To grow the novel fruit, Czeski fashions an aluminum mold of the head he wants to reproduce, and places it around a growing pumpkin approximately the size of a small grapefruit. After the pumpkin has expanded enough to fill the inside contours, the mold is removed.

The print of the features remains as the pumpkin continues to grow, and the final result is a lifelike full-size image in the ripened fruit.

30 Vintage Photos of the New York Central Railroad Properties at Ashtabula, Ohio in 1924

Established in 1853, the New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midwest, along with the intermediate cities of Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Syracuse. New York Central was headquartered in New York City’s New York Central Building, adjacent to its largest station, Grand Central Terminal.

Extensive trackage existed in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and West Virginia, plus additional trackage in the Canadian provinces of Ontario (Southwestern and Eastern Ontario) and Quebec (South of Montreal). At the end of 1925, the NYC operated 11,584 miles (18,643 km) of road and 26,395 miles (42,479 km) of track; at the end of 1967 the mileages were 9,696 miles (15,604 km) and 18,454 miles (29,699 km).

Here below is a set of vintage photos from Ashtabula Archive that shows the New York Central Railroad properties at Ashtabula, Ohio in 1924.

General Office, Emergency Hospital, Water Tank on Columbus Street, 1924

Car Ferry Dock, 1924

Head of Dock No. 1, 1924

Looking toward Lake Erie from Columbus Street Bridge. Dock No. 1 on the left, Dock No. 2 on the right, 1924

Looking up yard from Switch Tower at Draw Bridge, 1924.

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