Bellefontaine’s 200th birthday was commemorated by many residents who call the city and surrounding area their home during a block party Saturday evening — carrying out the plans originating in the actual bicentennial year of 2020 that were postponed because of the pandemic.
Participants traveled down memory lane with a look at the city’s history and founding in 1820, and also glimpsed at its future, as area children and their families danced in the streets during Bellefontaine’s first-of-its kind laser light show that illuminated the downtown and the Logan County Courthouse just after dusk.
An evening ceremony included several state and local elected officials who helped to usher in the occasion, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who remarked on the importance of smaller cities in preserving honor and respect of traditional American values.
“Communities like this are the beating heart of America,” he said. “The reason why America is great and why Ohio is great is because of communities like this…
“We should teach our children to love and respect this country and all that it stands for.”
He said Bellefontaine has played a role in shaping Ohio and related the number of great innovators and leaders to come from the city.
With the city now officially being 201 years old, LaRose said this event could also be looked at as “marking the beginning of another 200 years for the community” and looking forward to the what these children and their children will offer to the city in the upcoming years.
In addition to LaRose’s remarks, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Ohio Rep. Suzanne Manchester (R-Waynesfield) also greeted the crowd. They presented official proclamations to Mayor Ben Stahler, who also read a statement from Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Jon Husted on the city’s birthday.
Mayor Stahler reflected on some of the city’s history, relating that Bellefontaine was laid out on the site of the Shawnee nation’s former Blue Jacket Town on a 100-acre footprint to start.
He said the railroad industry made a tremendous impact on the area, starting in July of 1837, when the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company completed the first railroad in Bellefontaine.
In the 1890s, Bellefontaine truly became a major railroad town when the Big Four Railroad Company (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and St. Louis) made it one of their main terminals. Bellefontaine served many important functions as a terminal, and The Big Four changed both crews and engines in Bellefontaine.
By 1904, one in four people in Logan County was employed by the railroad, the Logan County History Center reports.
The mayor related the continued influence of the transportation industry on Bellefontaine, including the A.J. Miller Company that began in 1853 by making horse carriages in 1863 and later began specializing in hearses and ambulances, which were used around the world. The company moved from Bellefontaine in 1960 and combined with the Meteor Company in Piqua, and became known as Miller-Meteor.
Toward the end of the 20th century and beyond, transportation innovation still touches Bellefontaine and Logan County through the presence of Honda of America Mfg., one of the county’s largest employers.
“I often say there are three things we grow well here — corn, beans and cars,” Mayor Stahler said, making special mention of Honda’s recent 40th anniversary marked in the area.
A drone photo was taken of the participants downtown at the ceremony using equipment operated by Bellefontaine Police Department Officer Tanner Peterson.
The Bellefontaine High School marching band opened the ceremony by playing the National Anthem, while the American Legion honor guard presented colors.
Following the speakers, the marching band also showcased their 2021-22 half-time show, “On The Radio: Songs of Gen Z.”
Also taking the stage throughout the evening included a number of area musical groups, from the Madriver Dulcimers to Popular Demand barbershop quartet, The Fountainaires, vocalist Kevin Ashba, and finishing out with Miss DeMeanor during the laser light show.
