Delaware in Delaware County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Edwards Gymnasium / Home of High School Basketball Tournaments

Edwards Gymnasium Marker (side A) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008

1. Edwards Gymnasium Marker (side A)

Inscription. Edwards Gymnasium The gym was dedicated February 22, 1906. It is named in memory of OWU Trustee John Edwards whose initial gift made its construction possible. At the time of its completion it was considered the largest and finest basketball facility in the state of Ohio. The second floor basketball arena held as many as 3,000 spectators. Early track meets were, also, held in the arena. The balcony featured a single lane, banked track with a padded canvas surface. Pole vault and high jump events took place on the arena floor. The last official collegiate basketball games were played here in 1977.

Home of High School Basketball Tournaments In 1909 Delaware High School asked OWU to sponsor a nine team post season tourney. The event was held in the Delaware Armory but moved to Edwards Gym in 1910. The tournament continued to grow under the direction of OWU athletic director Lynn W. St. John. By 1922, with 172 high schools participating, the tournament had outgrown the University and the town. Its success brought into being the Ohio High School Basketball Tournament in 1923. There was, also, a countywide high school basketball tournament held each year. Before schools consolidated, there were twelve Delaware County high schools involved. The last county tournament was held in 1962.

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio, Delaware County Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1906.

Location. 40° 17.703′ N, 83° 4.064′ W. Marker is in Delaware, Ohio, in Delaware County. Marker is at the intersection of Sandusky Street and Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Sandusky Street. Marker is in front of Edwards Gymnasium on the Ohio Wesleyan University campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delaware OH 43015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wesley Branch Rickey (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Plan of the Town of Delaware (about 400 feet away); University Hall and Gray Chapel (about 500 feet away); Elliott Hall (about 500 feet away); Andrew Wilson (about 600 feet away); Eddy, Kroener, and Riesz Memorial (about 600 feet away); Cherry, Judge, Luckett Memorial (about 700 feet away); United States Post Office (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delaware.

Regarding Edwards Gymnasium / Home of High School Basketball Tournaments. OWU is Ohio Wesleyan University.

Additional commentary.

Home of High School Basketball Tournaments Marker (side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008

2. Home of High School Basketball Tournaments Marker (side B)

1. Delaware High Schools before consolidation!
The Delaware County bsketball tournament was held every year. The schools that participated before consolidation were: Galena, Sunbury, Brown Twp. (Kilbourne), Berlin Twp., Orange Twp. Hyatts, Powell, Bellpoint, Ostrander, Harlem Twp. (Center Village), Ashley, and Radnor.

The last county tournament included Big Walnut (Galena, Harlem and Sunbury), Olentangy (Berlin, Orange, Hyatts and Powell) Scioto Valley (Ostrander and Bellpoint), Elm Valley (Ashley and Brown) and Radnor.

— Submitted November 24, 2008.

Edwards Gymnasium image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008

3. Edwards Gymnasium

Edwards Gymnasium Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008

4. Edwards Gymnasium Entrance

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008

5. Delaware Bicenntennial Logo on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,789 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.