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

Early Celina History

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 27, 2022

1. Early Celina History Marker

Inscription.

Early Celina History. . , The town of Celina was founded and named by James W. Riley in 1834. As a young man, he had achieved the position of captain of merchant ships. It seems fitting that the lighthouse calls to mind Capt. Riley's love of the sea. With his nautical background. He came to the Ohio territory as a surveyor. The name Celina was originated by Mr. Riley while he was visiting the state of New York. He came to the town of Selina, which impressed him as being a pleasant town in a similar setting. The S was changed to a C to avoid confusion of the post offices. , Celina's industry shortly after its founding consisted of a steam sawmill erected for the purpose of sawing lumber used to build the embankment of the reservoir and to build a court house. There was a store which was owned by Riley. While the town was inhabited by a mere 15 families, there were two hotels. One on the corner of Sugar and Warren Streets and a two story structure on the corner of Main and Warren Streets. Dr. Fulton had his office at the northwest corner of Fayette and Ash Streets. , Mr. Riley's brother described the town in the following terms. "The trees stood in all their native grandeur mid and water was everywhere." Mr. Riley sponsored a chopping bee, where over seventy woodsmen cleared all the trees in the plat starting at Market and Buckeye Streets. One Whit Oak near the corner of Warren and Sugar Street was noted for its majestic size. It was 8½ feet across and was sixty feet to its first limb. This clearing did allow the ground to dry and much improved the living conditions. , The first school district of Celina was established in 1859. The first newspaper was established in 1848. Early manufacturing businesses that grew and flourished in Celina prior to 1900 were two barrow stave factories, a woolen mill, three planing mills (timber mills), a carriage works, two wagon works, a marble works, a floor mill, a grain elevator and a tannery plus numerous commercial businesses. . This historical marker is in Celina in Mercer County Ohio

The town of Celina was founded and named by James W. Riley in 1834. As a young man, he had achieved the position of captain of merchant ships. It seems fitting that the lighthouse calls to mind Capt. Riley's love of the sea. With his nautical background. He came to the Ohio territory as a surveyor. The name Celina was originated by Mr. Riley while he was visiting the state of New York. He came to the town of Selina, which impressed him as being a pleasant town in a similar setting. The S was changed to a C to avoid confusion of the post offices.

Celina's industry shortly after its founding consisted of a steam sawmill erected for the purpose of sawing lumber used to build the embankment of the reservoir and to build a court house. There was a store which was owned by Riley. While the town was inhabited by a mere 15 families, there were two hotels. One on the corner of Sugar and Warren Streets and a two story structure on the corner of Main and Warren Streets. Dr. Fulton had his office at the northwest corner of Fayette and Ash Streets.

Mr. Riley's brother described the town in the following terms. "The trees

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 27, 2022

2. Early Celina History Marker

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stood in all their native grandeur mid and water was everywhere." Mr. Riley sponsored a chopping bee, where over seventy woodsmen cleared all the trees in the plat starting at Market and Buckeye Streets. One Whit Oak near the corner of Warren and Sugar Street was noted for its majestic size. It was 8½ feet across and was sixty feet to its first limb. This clearing did allow the ground to dry and much improved the living conditions.

The first school district of Celina was established in 1859. The first newspaper was established in 1848. Early manufacturing businesses that grew and flourished in Celina prior to 1900 were two barrow stave factories, a woolen mill, three planing mills (timber mills), a carriage works, two wagon works, a marble works, a floor mill, a grain elevator and a tannery plus numerous commercial businesses.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 40° 32.658′ N, 84° 34.249′ W. Marker is in Celina, Ohio, in Mercer County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 127) and Lake Shore Drive, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 527 S Walnut St, Celina OH 45822, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Agriculture, Mercer County's Foundation (here, next to this marker); Major Historic Influences

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(here, next to this marker); Early Mercer County History (here, next to this marker); Prehistoric Indians / Historic Indians (here, next to this marker); Celina City Hall (a few steps from this marker); Grand Lake St. Marys Points Of Interest (a few steps from this marker); Mercer County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Lake Improvments (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Celina.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.