Celina in Mercer County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nelson Welcomes You To The Mercer County Fairgrounds!
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025
1. Nelson Welcomes You To The Mercer County Fairgrounds! Marker
History of Nelson
He was built during the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in April.
He was built by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers. The owners, Jason & Cindy Emmons also assisted in the build.
It took 9 carvers & 5.5 days to finish the carving.
The carvers were represented from 5 different states!
There's another giant at Patoka Lake at Bear Hollow Wood Carvers Cabin Rentals. His name is Otis.
This is the 2nd one that Bear Hollow Wood Carvers has completed with plans for more to create a trail.
Fun Facts about Nelson
He is 18 across from shoulder to shoulder.
He's 27' tall.
His foot size is 7', that's a shoe size of 98!
300' of treated 2'x4' were used to build him.
There were 5,000' board of poplar wood used in the construction.
The head alone weighs between 600-700 pounds.
The tractor and plow were incorporated because of Mercer County's strong Ag background.
Fun Facts of Mercer County
Mercer County was founded in 1820 and later organized in 1824.
There are 6 schools in Mercer County.
Mercer County is #1 in the state for agriculture production.
Mercer County has a population of 42,348 people.
There are 1,292 farms in Mercer County.
There are 270,984 farming acres.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 2024.
Location. 40° 33′ N, 84° 34.999′ W. Marker is in Celina, Ohio, in Mercer County. It is at the intersection of West Market Street and Morton Street, on the right when traveling west on West Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4874 Mud Pike Road, Celina OH 45822, 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 walking distance of this marker: Celina Masonic Lodge 241 (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Riley Home (approx. 0.7 miles away); Early Mercer County History (approx. Ύ mile away); Early Celina History (approx. Ύ mile away); Agriculture, Mercer County's Foundation (approx. Ύ mile away); Major Historic Influences (approx. Ύ mile away); Prehistoric Indians / Historic Indians (approx. Ύ mile away); Mercer County Courthouse (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Celina.
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025
2. Nelson Welcomes You To The Mercer County Fairgrounds! Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025
3. Nelson Welcomes You To The Mercer County Fairgrounds! Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025
4. Nelson Welcomes You To The Mercer County Fairgrounds! Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025
5. Nelson Welcomes You!
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
