History & Memories of Crawford County, OH

History & Memories of Crawford County, OH I am not affiliated with an organization; I am just a lifelong resident who loves heritage. Crawford County formed on February 12, 1820. Thank you.

Residents chose the name Crawford in honor of William Crawford, a Revolutionary War hero, who was eventually burned at the stake by Indians in retaliation for the Gnadenhutten Massacre. The county also contains the headwaters of the Sandusky, Huron, Olentangy, and Scioto Rivers. Crawford County is located in the north-central portion of Ohio. The county seat is Bucyrus. Bucyrus is the county's lar

gest population center, with just over thirteen thousand residents in 2000, and it is also home to a yearly bratwurst festival. The county's next largest community is Galion, with a population of approximately 11,300 people in 2000. The county experienced almost a two percent drop in population between 1990 and 2000, leaving a final population of 46,966 residents. This decline is typical for Ohio's other rural counties as well, as many residents are seeking better lives and more opportunities in the state's larger cities. An average of 117 people live in each of Crawford County's 402 square miles. Crawford County is heavily rural, with urban areas comprising less than two percent of the county's land mass. Most residents find employment in manufacturing establishments, with sales and service-oriented positions falling a distant second and third. The main products manufactured in the county are machinery, steel vaults, rubber hose, and heavy road equipment. In fourth, agriculture employs approximately 2,500 people. The county's average income was approximately twenty-two thousand dollars per person in 1999, with just over ten percent of the population living in poverty (from Ohio History Central at http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Crawford_County). This is a nonprofit page. Pictures are posted for personal use only and are not to be copied for profit. NOTE: If you have the rights to any photos or stories on this page and you would like credit or would like them removed please let us know. We are not here to step on anyone's toes; we just want to celebrate the history of our wonderful county.

01/11/2026

Ah, the memories! Having just seen an advertisement elsewhere on Facebook for a new toy monorail system, it reminded us of the overhead cash railway system which was used in the old Baumoel’s store (located where the Amish Vault & Graceful Gifts business is today) and which fascinated many a young Bucyrian while their mother or grandmother did her shopping there. Here is a photo of a museum re-creation of one such system (not ours unfortunately, although we do have some large sections and parts of the Baumoel’s system preserved, but alas not operating, in our carriage house annex). We are wondering if anyone of our viewers might have any photographs which show the old Baumoel’s system in situ or, better yet, a "home movie" showing it in operation there? Too bad that it was gone before video cameras and cell phone cameras were around! If you do have any such photos we’d love to see them here—or contact us at our museum to arrange a viewing. Yes, even though we are “closed for the season,” you can still leave a phone message and someone will get back with you!

11/15/2025

Send a message to learn more

02/20/2025

Throwing it back to 1992 on this Throwback Thursday! Check out this page from the 1992 Bucyrian yearbook! Do you recognize anyone?

If you're looking for yearbooks, we have a large selection!

12/22/2024

Galion Christmases Past Photo #20 - Another 1920s era Galion elementary school classroom decorated for Christmas! It's neat to zoom in on the posters on the wall!

12/22/2024

Galion Christmases Past Photo #18 - An unknown Galion elementary school classroom decorated for the holidays around the 1920s- early 1930s!

12/17/2024

Galion Christmases Past Photo #17 - Putting up the Christmas Tree on the Square! Check out the Santa decor on the lamp post! 🎅

The presence of parking meters and businesses like Ritchey House Hotel (opened 1963) tell us this photo is likely from mid 1960s to early 1970s. Parking meters were removed from Harding Way in the summer of 1974.

11/24/2024

Did you know? Were you aware of the fact that the great American band director and “March King” of the late 1800s early 1900s was actually in Bucyrus on at least four different occasions? He first appeared here on October 25, 1892, with his equally famous band for an afternoon concert in the Vollrath Opera House. He and his band returned for another Opera House concert on January 29, 1898 and again for a final matinee concert at the Opera House on September 21, 1904. His final appearance in town was as conductor of the 700 man U.S. Naval Training Station Band on April 26, 1918. There had actually been one other time that he was “in town” and that was for a brief train stop here on June 9, 1902, with Sousa on board en-route to a concert elsewhere. There has been mention of the Sousa Band performing at Seccaium Park, however we have so far not been able to verify or document this. Mr. Sousa died at age 77, in March 1932, and the Vollrath Opera house burned in January 1936.
The strange thing is that in conjunction with none of Mr. Sousa’s concerts in Bucyrus were the pieces played by the band mentioned in the local newspapers. We are wondering if anyone out there might have a program from one or more of the three Opera House concerts? If so, we’d sure love to see a copy! Please send it to us via a Facebook message attachment. Should we be so fortunate to have one sent to us we will share it with everyone here.
What would it have been like to hear “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “El Capitan,” or “The Thunderer” played in that beautiful Vollrath Opera House auditorium conducted by the maestro himself? Wow!

08/16/2023

Just a reminder! The Bucyrus Historical Society museum and carriage house will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on this coming Saturday, August 19th (during the Bratwurst Festival!). Come and see how bratwurst used to be made (demonstration by the folks at Carle's) and get your photo taken at ground level with that 10 ft. long fiberglass bratwurst sandwich created for the Bucyrus Bicentennial (in case you missed it up in the air back in 2021!). That will all take place outside...and there's lots more Bucyrus history to see on display indoors too!!!!

How wonderful is this?!
06/10/2023

How wonderful is this?!

05/03/2023

For those who were not able to pick up this colorful flier listing "ALL" of the Society's special events for this summer at the History Fair back on April 23rd, here is a copy for you. Mark each of the dates on your calendar. There might even be one more surprise coming in July—so stay tuned!

What a wonderful opportunity to learn some history of our beautiful county!
04/03/2023

What a wonderful opportunity to learn some history of our beautiful county!

CRESTLINE—The Crawford County History Alliance (CCHA) is hosting its first-ever History Fair on Sunday, …

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Bucyrus, OH
44820

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