Near Mechanicsburg in Champaign County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Joseph E. Wing

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 19, 2008

1. Joseph E. Wing Marker

Inscription. Joseph E. Wing was one of the first persons to identify, promote, and grow alfalfa as a forage crop east of the Mississippi River. He developed his interest in alfalfa while in Utah, where he worked on a cattle ranch. When he returned, Wing began promoting the alfalfa culture, traveling among farmers in Champaign County and neighboring counties. Eventually, his travels, lectures, and study of soils, crops, and animals took him around the world. Wing also worked on the staff of the Breeders Gazette and authored many agricultural books and articles. In 1913, he hosted the first annual alfalfa picnic at his home, Woodland Farms. Over 3,500 people joined the crowd, including Ohio's governor, James M. Cox. For his contributions to the alfalfa culture, Wing was inducted into the Ohio State Agricultural Hall of Fame in the 1940s.

Erected 2004 by Woodland Farms, Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 40° 4.021′ N, 83° 32.073′ W. Marker is near Mechanicsburg, Ohio, in Champaign County. It is at the intersection of Rosedale Road and Wing Road, on the left when traveling east on Rosedale Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsburg OH 43044, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mechanicsburg (approx. 0.9 miles away); James Roy Hopkins (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oldest Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Second Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Addison White (approx. 1.2 miles away); Underground Railroad Station (approx. 1.2 miles away);

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 14, 2008

2. Joseph E. Wing Marker

Looking south across Rosedale Road.

Chief Ohito's Wigwam (approx. 1.2 miles away); W.W. I Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mechanicsburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,440 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.