Springfield in Clark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Oliver S. Kelly
1824 - 1904
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 28, 2008
1. Oliver S. Kelly Marker
Raised on farms in Greene Township, O.S. Kelly became one of the most respected local businessmen and benefactors of his age. A skilled carpenter, he made his fortune building housing for miners during the California gold rush. Upon returning to the area he entered into a partnership with William Whitely and Jerome Fassler to produce agricultural machines, such as the famed Champion Reaper. After leaving the company in 1881 he built Kelly's Arcade and Hotel and established the O.S. Kelly Co., where he manufactured threshers, engines and piano plates. He served as a city councilman, a trustee for the city's first water works, and a long-time member of the Ferncliff Cemetery board. During his tenure as mayor (1887-1889), he led the construction of the City Building and Market across from his Arcade and Hotel and donated the funds for the grand, forty-foot fountain that lay between the two buildings. When he died, the local paper wrote, “Those who knew him need not be told of his virtues; those who were so unfortunate not to know him can never understand to what extent he was a man among men.”
Donors for this Mike Major designed sculpture are:
The Turner Foundation Jane Hollenbeck Fleury Mackie
The O.S. Kelly Company - subsidiary of Steinway & Sons
Sculpture Committee members are:
Anne Benston • Mark Chepp • David Martin • Ski Schahner • Richard Smith • Jim
this page online
Presented to the City of Springfield, September 20, 2007
Erected 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1993.
Location. 39° 55.356′ N, 83° 48.616′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Ohio, in Clark County. Marker is on Fountain Avenue, in the median. Statue and marker are on the Esplanade/Fountain Square between the landmark City Building and the Marriott Courtyard hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 S Fountain Avenue, Springfield OH 45502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Springfield City Hall Bell (a few steps from this marker); City Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Esplanade/Fountain Square (within shouting distance of this marker); John M. Temple (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Rogers Clark (about 700 feet away); H. A. "Harry" Toulmin Sr. (about 700 feet away); Floral Center Of The World (about 800 feet away); Site of Springfield's First Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Also see . . . Portrait of Oliver S. Kelly, From Panning Gold to Melting Steel. Farm Collector website entry (Submitted on November 5, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
via Farm Collector, unknown
2. Oliver S. Kelly
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 28, 2008
3. Oliver S. Kelly Statue and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 28, 2008
4. Espanade/Fountain Square, Looking North
O.S. Kelly Sculpture partially obscured by trees on right side of median.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 13, 2010
5. Oliver S. Kelly Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,018 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on June 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on April 20, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
