Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Welcome!
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026
1. Welcome! Marker
The Logan County Historical Society 521 Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio, dedicates this caboose to the Big Four Railroad and the many men and women who worked for it - some 25% of the people employed in the area at one time. About 110 engines per day were dispatched through Bellefontaine during the World War II years.
This caboose, with cooperation of the Ohio Department of Transportation was moved to the fairgrounds in 1994 from its location at the Dutch M Drive-in located on U.S. Rt. 33 near Zanesfield. Many people, some railroaders, some former railroaders, helped with this move. Wayne Linkinhoker, a Conrail employee, spearheaded the project, and he obtained and had placed the "trucks" for the caboose in 1997. The caboose was painted as though it was New York Central equipment, although it was not. This was done to recognize the importance of N.Y.C. to our community.
Funds for renovation and the interior displays were donated by the Bellefontaine City Council, and we thank these people: Gail Hamilton, Mayor William Patterson, President of Council David Haw, First Ward Linda Erwin-Hutchins, Second Ward
this page online
Erected 1998.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.
Location. 40° 21.711′ N, 83° 45.048′ W. Marker is in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of East Columbus Avenue and North Stanley Street, on the right when traveling west on East Columbus Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 521 E Columbus Ave, Bellefontaine OH 43311, 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026
2. Welcome! Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Greenville Treaty Line / Nancy Stewart Section (within shouting distance of this marker); This Property (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ludlow Point (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Harley Long Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Mills Brothers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Log Cabin (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bellefontaine Vietnam Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Logan County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefontaine.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
