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Thursday, July 3, 2008

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Historic expansion
Logan County Historical Society unveils footprint of proposed $3M project

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The A.J. Miller Co. opened in Bellefontaine in 1853 as a carriage builder. By 1912 the company began producing automobiles. They soon began specializing in building hearses and ambulances, and other specialty cars including touring cars and limousines. The Miller hearse/ambulance was known throughout the world.

For nearly 100 years the railroad industry dominated the economy and culture of Bellefontaine and Logan County. By the early 20th century almost a quarter of the people employed in Logan County worked for the railroad in some capacity. The local roundhouse and shops was one of the largest between New York and St. Louis.

By Sue Pitts
Examiner Staff Writer
04/29/08

If all goes according to plan, construction on a new addition to the Logan County Museum could begin in 2012, giving a permanent home to a number of large transportation-related artifacts obtained by the Logan County Historical Society.

Plans for the Logan County Transportation Museum will be unveiled during the Historical Society’s open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event also will feature two new exhibits, Hats Off to Logan County: A Brief History of Hats and the Hands-On Exhibit Room; free ice cream and desserts and free admission.

Currently, some of the museum’s most fascinating items aren’t even on the grounds, but will be if the society sees to fruition plans to construct the $3 million addition behind the Orr Mansion, 521 E. Columbus Ave.

The lower level of the proposed 15,000-sq.ft. two-story, roundhouse-style structure would become home to the caboose currently situated at the Logan County Fairground; a 1947 A.J. Miller-built hearse, a Jo Hantgen-crafted carriage made in Bellefontaine, the 1800 Shawver-Shick covered wagon, a 1953 New York Central rail car used in Bellefontaine, a WA6 biplane built in 1922 by Clarence Wissler of Bellefontaine and a 1921 Howe fire truck used by West Liberty firefighters.

These items currently are stowed in various locations around the county and some will be on display at the open house Sunday.

Additionally, a portion of the display area would be dedicated to Honda of America Mfg. artifacts, an important addition, according to society president Karen Beasley and vice president David Wagner, who credit the company with “nearly single-handedly” revitalizing the Logan County economy.

“It’s hard to pinpoint (in Logan County) something not related to transportation,” Mr. Wagner noted. “We want to showcase the county’s involvement with the Honda exhibit.”

The display will focus on how things are made and Logan County’s part in the process, with product examples from Honda’s local supply partners, which organizers said need to be recognized.

The upper level will house the Logan County Genealogical Society, its library and archives, offering a more convenient user-friendly location for researchers to peruse records.

Historical society offices will occupy the space in the museum currently used by the genealogy group and the double doors on the building’s west side will become the museum’s main entrance, complete with pillars similar to the Orr Mansion entrance.

In January, society officials will seek a state grant for transportation-related projects which will cover 80 percent of the project price tag, leaving only $600,000 for the society to pay out of pocket.

Officials said they have a good start on gathering the funds, with many local businesses on board to help upon learning about the project.