HOCKING COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

05/27/2026

CHRISTIAN WESTENHAVER – died 1830
Christian Westenhaver was one of Hocking County’s 1st pioneers. He was a native of Maryland and wanted to find a home for his family within the limits of the Northwest Territory. Therefore, he left Maryland in 1796 with his family. (This was the year after the Indians signing the Greenville Treaty opening Ohio to white settlers. This ending the long and bloody series of wars in the Ohio country.)
The Westenhaver family wintered in 1796 at Fort Belpre on the Ohio River. In the spring of 1797, he moved on to Little Hocking. This land was not to his liking, so he then moved on. Christian finally reached a stretch of rapids where the canoe upset, soaking all the possessions, including a treasured sack of cornmeal. Further navigation of the river seems impossible, so he halted his journey and decided on a location he had just passed. While in his travels, he found signs of old Indian settlements along the banks of the Hocking River (this would be the land near where Carborundum, Amanda Bolt and the Radio Station now set).
Christian Westenhaver, a practical farmer of German background, knew good farmland when he saw it, and he chose one of the finest sites in the valley, just below Oldtown Creek. Part of the land had already been cleared by the Indians, but most of it was still a dark wilderness.
He traveled ahead of his family, built a log cabin near to the river and on the East bank of Oldtown Creek near where it flows into the Hocking River. Christopher brought his family here the following spring of 1978 beyond the furthest settlement (near Athens) into the wilds where the Indians had lived before by weaving their way up the Hocking River by canoe. The family had very few provisions, but game was plentiful, and their first crop was Indian corn and potatoes. It took Christian two years to reach his dream of living in this beautiful area.
Surveyors of the Ohio Company had preceded them, and there were a few veterans of the Indian wars who had come this way with the army of Lord Dunmore in 1774.
Christian died on his farm in 1830, after he saw the town of Logan begin to come alive.
In 1799, there was a population of 20 in Hocking County (including the Westenhaver family). 9 men; 5 married women; 3 young women; and 8 children.


Oldest Brick Home in Logan
Hocking County’s earliest brick home was built in 1844. John Westenhaver was son to Christian Westenhaver, earliest white settlers of this area. The home was built fourteen years after the death of Logan’s first settler, John’s father. This house sets at the North side near the city gates East of Logan.
John made his own bricks in a kiln set up in the hollow just behind the house on the family farm originally settled in the late 1790s. His sons, William, and Edward carried all the brick from the kiln to the site stacked on boards.
The house was built near the never-failing spring which Christian Westenhaver found in the hillside beside where the house still stands. Rumor had it that whoever has taken a drink from the Westenhaver spring will always return to Hocking County, no matter how far he may roam. This legend during the 1916 Centennial celebration, was more well-known and one of the floats depicted the Westenhaver spring.
At the time the spring was piped into the house through wooden conduits made of logs with the center pith removed. These pipes ran underground and needed frequent replacement.
Before the highway was built, one of the most familiar stopping places in the county was the watering trough at the then England farm, fed by the same “Westenhaver spring.”
This information was found in a 1938 and 1948 Newspaper Logan Daily News article

05/26/2026

PART 2 1909 Business Directory
Harry Risley, Manufacturer of Fine Ci**rs and Stogies – 96 E. Main Street
Isaiah Voris and Son, Florist and Gardeners – 297 S Mulberry Street
Frank Shaw, Contractor and Builder – 43 E. Front Street
W.H. Welch, Livery Sale and Feed Stable – 52 N. Mulberry Street
Attorney at Law, John C. Pettit – 44 Court Park
The Farmer’s Co-Operative Hardware Co. - 168-172 S. Mulberry Street
Stiffler and Tucker Grocery – 73 Gallagher Avenue
Edwin Ricketts, Lawyer – McCarthy Building, Second Floor, Room 3 – 4 ½ W. Main Street
Montgomery and Brandt Short Order Restaurant – 10 E. Main Street, Opposite Court House
George Fox, Fresh and Salt Meats – 20 W. Main Street (Oysters and Poultry in Season)
D.A. Rannells, Physician and Surgeon – 52 N. Market Street
Keynes Bros, Manufacturer of Superior Winter Wheat Flour, William W. Keynes Charles H. Keynes Est. 1869
Rochester – Lytle Co. - 83 E. Main Street
Kessler Bros., Leading Jewelers – 47 W. Main Street
Frank Kessler & Son, Cupboards and Safes – 43 Gallagher Avenue
C.V. Wright, Attorney at Law – Room 5, McCarthy Building
Charles J. Voris, Dealer in Coal – Residence 669 Third Street
Hotel Ambrose, H.F. Ambrose ($2.25 and $2.75 per day)
O.W.H. Wright, Lawyer – 52 S. Market Street
W.L. Gage, Livery and Hack Line – 52 W. Hunter Street
Stedem & Co’s. Shoes – with Myer’s Rapid Repair Shop – 62 E. Main Street
T.C. Green, The Leading Pianos of the World – Hotel Warner, 33 W Main Street
Theo. C. Johnson, The Logan Roofing Works - 73 E. Main Street
The Depot Hotel, Mrs. B.C. Hyson, Proprietor – Gallagher Avenue
J.J. Kalklosch & Son, Funeral Directors – 270 W. Hunter Street
A. Drew, Baker and Confectioner – 169 E. Main Street
The Chris Holl Hardware Co. - 187 W. Main Street
The Warner Hotel (Rates $1.00 Per Day)- 104 W. Main Street
McGuire & Patton, Millinery and Hair Goods – 57 E. Main Street
L.C. Krieg, Building Contractor - 445 W. Main Street
Home Millinery Co. - 171 E. Main Street
Logan Steal Laundry, T.E. Whitcraft, Proprietor – 127 E. Main Street
The Crystal Ice Plant, William Waner – 149 N. High Street
The Hammon- Acker Grocery Co. - 185 E. Main Street
Allen R. McBroom & Co. Builders and Contractors – 235 Hocking Avenue
Charles H. Stevens, General Contractor in Wood, Brick, Stone and Cement – 26 Gallagher Avenue
J.W. McBroom, Falls Mill
The Hocking Valley Rug Co.- 36 Gallagher Avenue 110 x 40-foot building
The Logan Garment Company – shared 36 Gallagher Avenue (the HV Rug Co.)
The Central Hotel, H.L. Karsner, Manager – rates $1.25, free bath – Corner of Main and Mulberry Streets
The Logan Home Telephone Company – more than 1,000 homes in Logan and Hocking Co. -
25 ½ E. Main Street
The Bell Telephone – 4 ½ W. Main Street
The Snider MFG. Co. Mahogany, Satin Walnut, Gum, and Pain and Quartered Oak in Fine Colonial Furniture – Corner of Motherwell and Friesner Avenue
A.E. Huls, the Prompt Printer – 75 N. Market Street
Strentz & Lappen, Good Clothes, shoes hats and furnishings. - 24 E. Main
James A. Oliver, Undertaker – 103 W. Main Street
Logan Savings Association – 40 ½ E. Main Street
Home Savings Association – 79 E. Main Street
Chas. Rose’s Sons & Co., Clothing Store- James Block
Rempel Bank – 539 W. Main Street
Logan Brick Mfg. Co., building and paving brick – Zanesville Avenue on Straitsville Branch
Logan Foundry & Machine Co., All kinds of castings – Corner of Front and Walnut Streets
Logan Garment Co. Men’s Shirts – 34 Gallagher Avenue
Logan Glove Factory, Hugh H. Miles proprietor – 467 E. Hunter Street
Logan Mfg. Co. Furniture of all kinds – on corner of Orchard and Front Streets
Logan Pottery Co. Stoneware and crockery – Zanesville Avenue on Straitsville Branch.
Monuments, Eisele Wm. F. - 92 E Main Street
Monuments, Ghent, Edward E. - 273 Wood Street
J.H. Oliver Furniture Undertaking and Livery Started at 103 W. Main, moved to 145 W. Main & Spring

Photo of Logan Depot Hotel in 1909 and Logan Business College, Rempel Bank in 1909

05/25/2026

Location of businesses in 1909
I did find that any business on Gallagher Avenue was frequently referred to as located on "The Avenue".

1909 Business Directory of Logan
James F Walker – Real Estate and Life Insurance – Office 39 E. Main St. (Upstairs James Block)
James F. Walker – residence – 63 N Walnut St.
C.L. Vancuren – Horse Shoeing and Repair – 11 Gallagher Avenue. Near the Old Ice Plant. Formerly occupied by H. Starkey
C.L. Wonn Grocery Co. - 166 W Main St.
Gompf’s Acme Green Houses – Chris H. Gompf, Manager – 323 S Mulberry St.
W.W. McCray and Son – Insurance Agency – 75 E. Main Street
F.H. Hilderbrant, Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, Tinware, Queen’s ware, Shoes, Etc. - 390 W Main St.
West End General Store, Paul Fox – 601 W Hunter St.
Brown Bros. Clothing, Hats and Furnishings – 54 E. Main St.
I.J. Lindley – Fire Insurance – Room 3, over National Bank, 6 ½ W. Main Street
Attorney at Law and Notary Public, Harley M. Whitcraft – Office in Rempel Building – 40 ½ W. Main Street
Residence at 91 W. Front Street
Lumber & Supply Co. at the Old Woolen Mill, 67 E Front Street
General Hardware, Mrs. E. Pleukarp. Stoves, cutlery, oils, paints, roofing, implements, whips, robes, builder’s furnishings, and Blacksmith supplies – 99 E. Main St.
H. Cornwell, Real Estate and Life Insurance – Office in Room 3, Over Rempel Building- 40 ½ W. Main Street
First-Class Meat Market, C.E. Winegar – (AKA ‘On the Avenue’) 69 Gallagher Avenue
M.L. Burberry, General Blacksmith – 699 W. Hunter
Fresh Lake Fish, see W.A. Lowrie – catfish, frogs, and oysters – 47 N. Market
Plumber, Steam & Gas Fitter – W.A. Henderson – 32 – 38 N. Mulberry St.
Union Clothing Co., John Ohlinger, Edward N. Beck, John T. McBride, Wm. Lytle – 94 W. Main St.
J.F. Harden & Co. All Grades of Furniture also up-to-date Funeral Directors and Embalmers, Ambulance Service in connection - 199 E. Main St.
Up-To-Date Millinery, Mrs. M.N. Parsons – 38 E Main St. Rochester-Lytle second floor
Lappen & Leach, The General Insurance Agency – 6 ½ W. Main St.
Shoe Market – 28 E. Main
The Ideal Grocery – 144 E. Main St.
Clark’s Furniture Store, go-carts, and Gas Ranges – 77 Gallagher Ave.
Work Brothers – Heating or Cooking, Coal or Gas – 120 E. Main St.
James A. Oliver, Furniture Undertaking and Livery – 103 W. Main St.
The Rempel Hotel, James McCormick Proprietor – 26 W. Main St.
Attorney At Law, Eugene Wright – 6 ½ E. Main St.
Gabriel & Thomes, Fine Candies, Fruits and Nuts. The Best Ice Cream in Logan – 2- E. Main St.
Clothing, For High Grade, Tailor Made, Ed Donavan – 75 W. Main St.
H.E. Sparnon, Attorney at Law – Office in the Court House, Residence at 575 E. Hunter Street
Plaster and Cement Worker, Guy L. Robinson – 772 N. Market St.
Attorney at Law, V.C. Lowry – James Block, Second Floor 40 ½ E. Main Street
Livery, Feed and Sale Stable, L.R. Ruble – In connection with Harden’s ambulance Service – 59 S. Spring St.
Stylish Millinery, Mrs. S.E. McBride’s for Women and Children – 155 E Main St.
Attorney at Law, S.H. Bright – Room 1 in the Rempel Building – 40 ½ W. Main Street
Sewing Machines and Bicycles, Henry Lutz – 82 W. Second Street
Kline’s Big Shoe Store – 81 E. Main St.
Logan Light and Power Co. - 36 Gallagher Avenue
Citizen’s Electric Light Co. - 65 E. Main Street
Cherrington Hospital, J.S. Cherrington M.D., M.H. Cherrington M.D., and Miss Edith Willick, Superintendent. Private Ambulance Service, - W Main Street
George W. Holl, Painting and Decorating – Next to Rochester’s Store
C.O. Allen, Physician and Surgeon – 76 W. Main Street. Residence – 188 W. Main St.
The One Minute Restaurant, Charles Deishley - 41 W. Main Street
D.A. Rizer, East End Grocer - 241 E Hunter Street
The Citizen’s Electric Light Co., Chas. R. Lutz, Superintendent – 65 E. Main Street
A.K. Smith, Physician and Surgeon – 65 W. Main Street
Plumber, Steam and Gas Fitter, John H. Bright – 369 Gallagher Avenue
The Johnson-Beverage Co. A complete Department Store – 31 – 43 E. Main Street
E.M. Martin, Photographer – 42 ½ E. Main Street
N.J. Weiland, dealer in watches, jewelry, musical goods, and spectacles – 54 W Main Street

05/24/2026

MAY 2026 PUBLIC MEETING – Speaker Mike Phillips
The Hocking County Public Meeting will be held on May 28 at 7 p.m. at 64 N. Culver Street in Logan. The guest speaker for the event will be Mike Phillips, whose family has deep roots in the area.
Mike’s great-grandfather, Thomas C. Vancuren (1892–1970), served as a county commissioner, and his grandfather, Private Murray S. Phillips (1916–1944), was killed in action in France during World War II.
Mike is a member of the Hocking County Historical Society and
supports local school tours by guiding students through the 1881 Carriage House and helping wherever needed.
In his spare time, Mike is involved in many community activities and has received several recognitions:
• Volunteer security for LifeWise School
• Hunter Safety Instructor
• NRA-certified pistol instructor since 2004
• Eagle Scout since 1979, Troop 99
• Troop Master for Troop 4120 at Hocking Hills Church for Trail Life
• Recipient of the Trail Life Freedom Award
He may also be recognized around the community as Santa Claus, Bigfoot, and even the Easter Bunny—especially at events for children.
Mike will lead a tour of the carriage house and its many displays, offering visitors a chance to learn more about daily life in the area’s early history.
Featured exhibits include:
• Murray City’s coal mining display
• Early farming equipment
• Early home-building tools
• A blacksmith shop
• An oil rig
• A milk bottler
• And much more
The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and everyone is welcome. This program is suitable for all ages.
The public meetings are always the 4th Thursday of each month from April through October.

Send a message to learn more

05/24/2026

DAWNING OF NEW YEAR HOLDS BRIGHT PROMISE FOR HOCKING COUNTY.
By Bill Miller, Editor of the Logan Daily News
Logan Daily News Dec. 31, 1970
PART 2

JUNE
Wesley Cannon appointed to HVCH board of trustees.
Annual spring festival brought protests from downtown merchants.
The City board of control awarded contracts for sewage plant improvement.
Dr. Roy R. Bontrager and Kenneth P Turner accepted on HVCH medical staff.
Hocking County commissioners authorized countywide curfew of all juveniles under 18 years of age.
Members of Logan 882, United Brick and Clay Workers of America, ratified new contract with General Hocking Brick Co.
Apparent low bids of second phase of Hocking Hills State Park development exceeded estimates by $340,898.
Reinstatement of staff privileges of Drs. Charles F. Shonk and Own F. Yaw approved by HVCH board of trustees.
Assists of #1,948,112.85 in Nils L. C. Kachelmacher estate ordered transferred to Kachelmacher Memorial Inc.
HVCH trustees temporarily restrained from suspending staff privileges of Drs. T.J. Najm and R.C. Jones in dispute over performance of emergency room duties.
JULY
Logan Daily News survey showed season’s wheat crop was better than average.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony opened third and final section of U.S. Rt. 33 Logan bypass.
Hocking County Green Landfill Co. operation opened for business.
Funds totaling $4,424,651.13 were released by State Controlling Board for improvements at Hocking Hills State Park; groundbreaking ceremony was held.
Logan City School Board began legal procedure for placing a $4,000,000 building and improvement issue on November ballot.
Lewis Mollica resigned as HAPSEC director.
Marathon series of meetings brought agreement on new rules, regulations and bylaws for HVCH medical staff and trustees.
Alex Buerhouse, HVCH administrator from Aug. 29, 1967, resigned.
AUGUST
Laurelville’s Jim Thompson won U.S. amateur motorcycle Hillclimb championship at Muskegon, Mich.
Howard C. Blum, 58 president of Hocking County Commissioners and well-known Logan businessman died.
Logan Police Chief Roy Kelch took tough stand on camps disorder in testimony before a state legislative committee.
Larry D. Rice, 28, electrocuted while working on transformer on city’s west side.
Heavy losses reported in Hocking County from southern corn leaf blight.
Logan won 13th consecutive AAA Pedestrian Safety Award.
Consuela Conrad was named Miss Logan in Miss Parade of the Hills contest.
Logan High School Principal Charles Moore elected president of Southeastern Ohio Athletic League.
Marcus J. Hamilton, 20, killed in Vietnam.

USED 10 20, 2022
Logan Daily News Dec. 31, 1970
PART 4
DAWNING OF NEW YEAR HOLDS BRIGHT PROMISE FOR HOCKING COUNTY.
By Bill Miller, Editor of the Logan Daily News

SEPTEMBER
Conviction of Serling Lewis for conspiracy to defraud HVCH overturned by appeals court; new trial ordered.
Bids opened for two Hocking County health units; bids for public health centers exceed estimates.
HVCGH is conditionally recertified by Medicare.
Drs. Dorothy Crosby, 21, and unborn child died after an auto accident at junction of Rts. 33 and 180.
Oliver Mills, 60, accused slayer of Vinton County Sheriff Harold Steele, captured after six-day manhunt.
City Council overrode Mayor Haney veto on South Logan Street improvements.
J. David Arledge, employed as HVCH administrator.
Chieftains overwhelmed Nelsonville-York 64 – 0 in 1970 grid season opener.
Hocking County Fair attracted 13,000 patrons for four-day run.
Logan City School Board selected Homer Armstrong property along Maysville-Williams Rd. as site for proposed new high school and Tena Dupler property in Enterprise School area for new elementary school building.
Randall S. Lott, 18, was killed in auto crash in Starr Twp.

OCTOBER
Cleveland Plain Dealer story charged some oil wells owned by Barton A. Holl might be in violation of state law.
Final account of Nils L.C. Kachelmacher estate listed net assets of $1,938626.
Astronaut John Glen visited Logan to Launch 1971 United Fund drive.
Laurelville school district accepted into Pickaway-Ross County Joint Vocational School District.
HVCH trustees and medical staff jointly agreed to withdraw all lawsuits.
Central Ohio Blood Center announced Hocking Countians no longer had blood coverage due to residency because of failure to meet collection quota.
Marty Rauch crowned 1970 Logan High School homecoming queen.
Thomas C. Van Curen, former Hocking County Commissioner, died.
Survey showed Hocking County employment is relatively stable and personal income near all-time high during 1969.
Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began collecting information for use in design of Logan area flood control project.
Logan Daily News Editor Bill Miller and nature columnist Charles Goslin presented top conservation awards.
Eighteen-month-old Lawrence R. Kasler died after being run over in a freak accident.
City police warned of straight pins being placed in Beggars Night candy.
Lloyd L. Gang, 21, kills in auto accident on old Rt. 33, south of Logan.

NOVEMBER
Logan School bond issue again defeated by large margin in general election balloting: Democrats won three of four local contests.
Ground broken for long-term care units in addition to HVCH.
Two sets of twins were born within three days at HVCH.
Dr. Roy Bontrager named chief of HVCH medical staff.
Chieftain gridders Jeff Smith, Dave Crawford and Rick Krebs were named to 1970 All-Southeastern Ohio League squad.
The majority of participants at public meeting favored placing revised school building issue in May primary ballot, but school board failed to reach agreement.
The city council established South Logan Water District.
Typhoid fever cases reported in Gore Rt. 1 area.

DECEMBER
Logan school board approved special pay increment of $140 for all regular non-teaching employees.
Agreement reached on establishment of Kachelmacher Memorial Vascular Clinic at HVCH; starting date tentatively set for Jan. 8, 1971.
Harry L. Smith, executive secretary of Logan Trade Club and former Hocking auditor honored as “Man of the Year” buy Southeastern Ohio Regional Council.
Survey by Logan-Hocking County Health Department showed 29 of 60 rested rural water supplies were unsafe.
The city council agreed to go ahead with general plans for South Logan Water District over objections of 161 residents of the area.
Warner Lehman, owner, announced the Ambrose Hotel, one of Logan’s older landmarks, would close for business on December 31, and likely be sold in near future.

THE END of 1970!

DAWNING OF NEW YEAR HOLDS BRIGHT PROMISE FOR HOCKING COUNTY.
By Bill Miller, Editor of the Logan Daily News
Logan Daily News Dec. 31, 1970
PART 2

JUNE
Wesley Cannon appointed to HVCH board of trustees.
Annual spring festival brought protests from downtown merchants.
The City board of control awarded contracts for sewage plant improvement.
Dr. Roy R. Bontrager and Kenneth P Turner accepted on HVCH medical staff.
Hocking County commissioners authorized countywide curfew of all juveniles under 18 years of age.
Members of Logan 882, United Brick and Clay Workers of America, ratified new contract with General Hocking Brick Co.
Apparent low bids of second phase of Hocking Hills State Park development exceeded estimates by $340,898.
Reinstatement of staff privileges of Drs. Charles F. Shonk and Own F. Yaw approved by HVCH board of trustees.
Assists of #1,948,112.85 in Nils L. C. Kachelmacher estate ordered transferred to Kachelmacher Memorial Inc.
HVCH trustees temporarily restrained from suspending staff privileges of Drs. T.J. Najm and R.C. Jones in dispute over performance of emergency room duties.
JULY
Logan Daily News survey showed season’s wheat crop was better than average.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony opened third and final section of U.S. Rt. 33 Logan bypass.
Hocking County Green Landfill Co. operation opened for business.
Funds totaling $4,424,651.13 were released by State Controlling Board for improvements at Hocking Hills State Park; groundbreaking ceremony was held.
Logan City School Board began legal procedure for placing a $4,000,000 building and improvement issue on November ballot.
Lewis Mollica resigned as HAPSEC director.
Marathon series of meetings brought agreement on new rules, regulations and bylaws for HVCH medical staff and trustees.
Alex Buerhouse, HVCH administrator from Aug. 29, 1967, resigned.
AUGUST
Laurelville’s Jim Thompson won U.S. amateur motorcycle Hillclimb championship at Muskegon, Mich.
Howard C. Blum, 58 president of Hocking County Commissioners and well-known Logan businessman died.
Logan Police Chief Roy Kelch took tough stand on camps disorder in testimony before a state legislative committee.
Larry D. Rice, 28, electrocuted while working on transformer on city’s west side.
Heavy losses reported in Hocking County from southern corn leaf blight.
Logan won 13th consecutive AAA Pedestrian Safety Award.
Consuela Conrad was named Miss Logan in Miss Parade of the Hills contest.
Logan High School Principal Charles Moore elected president of Southeastern Ohio Athletic League.
Marcus J. Hamilton, 20, killed in Vietnam.

SEPTEMBER
Conviction of Serling Lewis for conspiracy to defraud HVCH overturned by appeals court; new trial ordered.
Bids opened for two Hocking County health units; bids for public health centers exceed estimates.
HVCGH is conditionally recertified by Medicare.
Dorothy Crosby, 21, and unborn child died after an auto accident at junction of Routes 33 and 180.
Oliver Mills, 60, accused slayer of Vinton County Sheriff Harold Steele, captured after six-day manhunt.
City Council overrode Mayor Haney veto on South Logan Street improvements.
J. David Arledge, employed as HVCH administrator.
Chieftains overwhelmed Nelsonville-York 64 – 0 in 1970 grid season opener.
Hocking County Fair attracted 13,000 patrons for four-day run.
Logan City School Board selected Homer Armstrong property along Maysville-Williams Rd. as site for proposed new high school and Tena Dupler property in Enterprise School area for new elementary school building.
Randall S. Lott, 18, was killed in auto crash in Starr Twp.

OCTOBER
Cleveland Plain Dealer story charged some oil wells owned by Barton A. Holl might be in violation of state law.
Final account of Nils L.C. Kachelmacher estate listed net assets of $1,938626.
Astronaut John Glen visited Logan to Launch 1971 United Fund drive.
Laurelville school district accepted into Pickaway-Ross County Joint Vocational School District.
HVCH trustees and medical staff jointly agreed to withdraw all lawsuits.
Central Ohio Blood Center announced Hocking Countians no longer had blood coverage due to residency because of failure to meet collection quota.
Marty Rauch crowned 1970 Logan High School homecoming queen.
Thomas C. VanCuren, former Hocking County Commissioner, died.
Survey showed Hocking County employment is relatively stable and personal income near all-time high during 1969.
Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began collecting information for use in design of Logan area flood control project.
Logan Daily News Editor Bill Miller and nature columnist Charles Goslin presented top conservation awards.
Eighteen-month-old Lawrence R. Kasler died after being run over in a freak accident.
City police warned of straight pins being placed in Beggars Night candy.
Lloyd L. Gang, 21, kills in auto accident on old Rt. 33, south of Logan.

NOVEMBER
Logan School bond issue again defeated by large margin in general election balloting: Democrats won three of four local contests.
Ground broken for long-term care units in addition to HVCH.
Two sets of twins were born within three days at HVCH.
Dr. Roy Bontrager named chief of HVCH medical staff.
Chieftain gridders Jeff Smith, Dave Crawford and Rick Krebs were named to 1970 All-Southeastern Ohio League squad.
The majority of participants at public meeting favored placing revised school building issue in May primary ballot, but school board failed to reach agreement.
The city council established South Logan Water District.
Typhoid fever cases reported in Gore Rt. 1 area.

DECEMBER
Logan school board approved special pay increment of $140 for all regular non-teaching employees.
Agreement reached on establishment of Kachelmacher Memorial Vascular Clinic at HVCH; starting date tentatively set for Jan. 8, 1971.
Harry L. Smith, executive secretary of Logan Trade Club and former Hocking auditor honored as “Man of the Year” buy Southeastern Ohio Regional Council.
Survey by Logan-Hocking County Health Department showed 29 of 60 rested rural water supplies were unsafe.
The city council agreed to go ahead with general plans for South Logan Water District over objections of 161 residents of the area.
Warner Lehman, owner, announced the Ambrose Hotel, one of Logan’s older landmarks, would close for business on December 31, and likely be sold in near future.

THE END of 1970!

05/23/2026

Logan Daily News Dec. 31, 1970
DAWNING OF NEW YEAR HOLDS BRIGHT PROMISE FOR HOCKING COUNTY.
By Bill Miller, Editor of the Logan Daily News
Despite an overdose of civic, social, and economic problems in 1970, Hocking County still can find some right promises for future betterment as the new year dawns.
In balance, the old year produces much that should encourage anyone with serious stake in the future of the Hocking Valley.
More than anything else, it showed that Logan has shaken off its traditional stance as a marginal community, always the first to suffer in any economic slump, and the last to recover.
Despite a nationwide recession that hit many U.S. communities hard, Logan stayed on even keel throughout 1970, thanks to a matchless set of diversified industries which kept the local level of employment fairly level of employment steady and personal income near an all-time high.
Now there is a solid base under Logan’s economy, which reaches out to benefit all of Hocking County and our neighbors ibn Athens, Perry, Vinton and Fairfield counties. What Logan’s citizens will build on that base is not yet certain.
Among the 1970’s setbacks must be counted two resounding defeats of the proposed bond issue for new school buildings, reflecting a critical loss of support for public education; an overall loss of population, however slight, as shown by the preliminary figures in the federal census; and a general inability to solve a number of pressing civic problems.
On the credit side of the ledger were a great many solid improvements, and some indication that all the public wrangling of the past few years might at long last produce some wisdom and the chance this community might once again join all its forces to meet its most serious problems.
One important milestone passed during 1970, was completion of the third and final section of the U.S. Rt. 33 bypass, with firm steps taken toward construction of two more lanes of the Haydenville bypass and the extensive relocation for the Nelsonville bypass.
Construction is now moving ahead on the new dining lodge and 40 rental cabins at Old Man’s Cave, final phase of the most extensive recreational development in the history of the Hocking Hills country.
The city’s new sewage disposal plant and new long-term care unit at Hocking Valley Community Hospital also are under construction, with completion scheduled in the coming year.
The county’s tax valuation showed an increase at year’s end, perhaps as good a measure as any of the slow but steady progress Hocking County has shown over the past two decades.
Here are some of the events that made local news headlines in 1970:
JANUARY
New Logan City Council swore in, with Robert Schultz named to fill Fourth Ward vacancy created by the death of his father.
Howard Blum was re-elected Hocking County Commissioners’ president at annual reorganization meeting. Commissioners’ president at the annual organizational meeting. Commissioners made 1970 appropriations total of $1,124,500.
County accepted bid for Green Landfill Co. for the Landfill operation in Hocking County Solid Waste District.
Logan Scholl Board made 1970 appropriations totaling $2,305,390 and voted unanimously to submit a $4-million bond issue to district voters ibn May primary election. Carl Risch elected board president.
All area schools closed, and the Logan Goodyear plant production shut down as Arctic cold wave swept the state.
Expansion of city sewage treatment plant, new South Logan water system, and improvement of storm and sanitary sewers given top Priority by Mayor Merrill Haney. Appropriations totaling nearly $1 million made for city operations.
Nearly 1,000 people turned out for the 5th annual Buckeye Trail hike through Hocking Hills State Park.
Ohio Supreme Court began studying the appeal of Mrs. Libby Lewis from conviction of conspiracy to defraud HVCH. Judge W. Denslow Sauer of Washington County was assigned to hear injunction filed by five medical doctors of HVCH staff challenging granting of full surgical privileges to Dr. Charles Pritchard.
Gov. James A. Rhodes announced approval of two area highway projects costing a total of $1,310,000 and plans for new dining lodge and rental cabins at Old Man’s Cave.
Additional months tomorrow.
FEBRUARY
Local Selective Service board announced Hocking’s February draft quota to be short by half due to federally imposed cutoff at draft lottery No. 60.
Judge Rhea Bangert Brown elected to fourth term as treasurer of Ohio Association of Probate Judges.
Employees of General Electric Co.’s Logan Glass Plant overwhelmingly approved new 40-month contract ending 66-day walkout.
Logan Goodyear plant officials listed employee earnings of $5 million during 1969.
Visiting restricted at HVCH as outbreak of influenza swept Hocking Valley.
Lester V. Risch named by Logan Jaycees as “Boss of the Year.”
New Postal Service program provided home mail deliveries for the first time to residents of Laurelville, Murray City, Rockbridge and South Bloomingville.
Donald A. Robers was named new sanitarian by Logan-Hocking County Health Board.
The City Council proposed rate of “not less than $4 per month for each residential customer” for disposal of West Logan sanitation.
Logan’s Mark Shaw picked unanimously as Southeaster Ohio League’s most valuable basketball player. Steve Hampshire also was tapped for all-league honors.
Final papers were signed for $220,000 FHA loan for Carbon Hill water line project.
MARCH
Mark Shaw named the first team of Associated Press All-Southeastern Ohio District Class AA basketball squad and second team All-Ohio team. Union furnace’s David Poling selected for first team Class A All-District squad.
Kathy Oberlin and Norma Ruff were named co-valedictorians of Logan High School Class of 1970.
The Fifth Annual Hocking Valley Variety Show attracted 2,100 people for three performances.
State examiners made no findings and found little to criticize in check of Logan City School’s financial records. No justification found for complaints by Greater Hocking County Citizenship Council.
Final details of long-stalemated pact for treatment of West Logan sewage approved at joint city-county meet.
Members of Logan 7-630, Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union, ratified new three-year contract with Carborundum Co.
Mrs. Margaret T. Webb, director of Hocking County Welfare Department, died.
Ohio Supreme Court reversed conviction of Mrs. Libby Lewis for conspiracy to defraud HVCH.
Judge Sauer enjoying HVCH trustees from granting Dr. Pritchard full surgical privileges.
APRIL
Area pupils observed Earth Day with special school programs and projects.
HVCH trustees again voted for full surgical privileges for Dr. Pritchard. Five staff doctors moved to cite Dr. Pritchard and trustees for contempt of court.
Nineteen labor representatives took ‘mini-tour” of Logan city schools.
Lake Logan is rated one of top 30 big bass lakes by Sports Afield magazine.
MAY
State record Largemouth bass, weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces, taken at Lake Logan by Marion angler.
Hocking County’s first traffic fatality of 1970 recorded when Curtis L. Harvey, 56, was killed when struck by a car on Rt. 33 near Haydenville.
Robert Keynes accepted presidency of Kachelmacher Memorial Inc. and resigned from HVCH board of trustees.
Logan School Bond issue soundly defeated in the primary election balloting.
Hocking county commissioners passed resolution asking for the removal of VISTA workers. Tri-County Community action headquarters picketed in protest as VISTAs pledged to return to area.
Logan National Guard unit reported for duty at riot-torn Ohio University.
Miss Velva Brashares resigned from HVCH board of trustees.
Logan Hight school senior Glen Derr placed first in state in chemistry in annual district state scholarship tests.
Preliminary census figures showed decline in Hocking County population in past 10 years from 20,168 to 20,036.
Logan Coffman plant undertook $15,000 anti-pollution project.
Judge Sauer continued injunctions against hospital board of trustees and promised to resolve impasse.
Max Davidson appointed to HVCH board of trustees.
Federal Economic Development Administration approved $55,000 supplemental grant to help finance Logan sewage treatment plant improvements.

To be continued
Photo of Logan donated by Harold Sinnot, taken by Skip Humphrey.