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

Henry Morrison Flagler

(1830-1913)

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 15, 2019

1. Henry Morrison Flagler Marker

close up, showing text

Inscription. A founder of the Standard Oil Company, Henry Morrison Flagler spent his formative years in Bellevue and began his business career here in 1844, building his home near this site in 1858. He first became associated with John D. Rockefeller as a fellow grain merchant. The two later formed the Standard Oil Company in 1870 with capital partially furnished by members of the local Harkness family. Standard Oil became America's largest and most powerful corporation in the late 1800s, and Flagler used his wealth to develop the state of Florida. His Florida East Coast Railroad, known as "the railroad over the sea," extended from Jacksonville to Key West, Florida. The cities of Miami, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Augustine grew with Flagler's intensive development efforts.

Erected 2001 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Mad River and Nickel Plate Railroad Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-39.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Florida East Coast Railroad and Hotels,

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and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 41° 16.25′ N, 82° 50.433′ W. Marker is in Bellevue, Ohio, in Huron County. It is on Southwest Street (Ohio Route 269), on the left when traveling south. marker is at the Mad River and NKP Railroad Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253 Southwest Street, Bellevue OH 44811, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Erie RR Phone Booth (here, next to this marker); Milwaukee Road #740 (a few steps from this marker); Plymouth Switcher (a few steps from this marker); L&H #1812 (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 15, 2019

2. Henry Morrison Flagler Marker

full view of marker, from the street

CEI #7 (a few steps from this marker); NKP #900 (a few steps from this marker); FGEX #35932 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandusky (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellevue.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 15, 2019

3. Henry Morrison Flagler Marker

marker as seen from a distance, looking across the street

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 15, 2019

4. Henry Morrison Flagler Marker

sign at the museum

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, June 15, 2019

5. Henry Morrison Flagler Marker

part of the museum

<i>Henry Flagler and his train</i> image. Click for full size.

Harris (Photo courtesy of the University of Miami Libraries), January 22, 1912

6. Henry Flagler and his train

"The first Florida East Coast Railway train arrives in Key West on January 22, 1912. That is railroad magnate and entrepreneur Henry M. Flagler himself at the center, with a straw hat."

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 801 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 6. submitted on June 17, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.