Near County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Road 236), on the left when traveling west.
Blacksmith Shop
Inside, this functional blacksmith shop periodically provides
educational demonstrations using a working forge and early 20th
century tools. The building was once owned by the Asmus family
as a granary, or storage building . . . — — Map (db m185795) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
The Ohio State Board of Charities educated infirmary
superintendents on the dangers of fire and strongly
suggested the installation of steam heat instead of wood-
burning fireplaces. Initially, the Wood County Infirmary
benefitted from the . . . — — Map (db m185788) HM
Near County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Road 236), on the left when traveling west.
The Oil Derrick and Blacksmith Shop are not original to the Wood
County Infirmary site, but represent Wood County's Oil Boom
period and are used for educational demonstrations. The derrick
is originally from Ryerson, Pennsylvania. The steam . . . — — Map (db m185794) HM
Near Thurstin Street (County Road 174) just north of East Court Street, on the right when traveling north.
Robert '55, 06 (Hon.) and Ellen Bowen '54, '06 (Hon.) Thompson have made a profound impact on Bowling Green State University. Their commitment to their alma mater has influenced its physical appearance, enhanced the student experience and . . . — — Map (db m181006) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Information gleaned from Infirmary Superintendent Frank Brandeberry's
journal indicates he began building the iconic wall in May 1919 from
stones found in local farm fields. Leonora Smith Friar, infirmary cook
(1932-1937), recalled, “Mr. . . . — — Map (db m185776) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
The dispensation of public charity required Ohio counties
to manage a large farm in order to establish financial
independence from the local taxpayer. On May 3, 1892, Wood
County Commissioners recognized the need for a larger
barn on infirmary . . . — — Map (db m185782) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Chicken Coop
Originally constructed in 1873, the chicken
coop was an essential part of daily life at the
infirmary. This chicken coop was one of two
poultry buildings, but the smaller coop is no
longer standing. German immigrant John . . . — — Map (db m185786) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Installed in 1879 for $81, the first cistern
tank was hooked up to a common drain
line that pumped water from a well
nearly a mile away. Due to the heavy
mineral deposits contained within
infirmary land, digging a well closer to
the main . . . — — Map (db m185787) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Superintendents &
Matrons of the Wood
County Infirmary
*1869-1872
Infirmary Directors
managed the site
1872-1877
Thomas C. & Margaret Reid
1877-1878
E.M. Jenkins
1878-1904
Edwin & Charlotte Farmer
1904-1949
Frank & . . . — — Map (db m185777) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
In October 1867, the Wood County
Commissioners purchased 160 acres from
Abel T. Norris at a cost of $7,200 to use
as the infirmary site. On August 2, 1869,
ditches were dug around the perimeter of
the property to ensure proper drainage of
the . . . — — Map (db m185781) HM
Near East Court Street east of North Prospect Street, on the left when traveling east.
Born 1783 New York City. Killed in combat September 1814. West Point Graduate 1806. As Military Engineer Helped build Castle Williams, N.Y. and Ft. Norfolk Va. Honored by naming of Fort Wood in New York Harbor and monument at West Point.
He . . . — — Map (db m120920) HM
On North Main Street (Ohio Route 25) north of Bishop Road (County Route 208), on the right when traveling south.
Elder Oliver Mears organized on February 8, 1862 in a tent on this spot, then a walnut grove owned by William Lovett, the Lovett's Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, first of this denomination in Ohio. A Frame building erected in 1864 served the . . . — — Map (db m95491) HM
Left plaque
When Benedict Arnold in the late days of the American Revolution ravaged the state of Connecticut he burned the farm houses along his route. In 1792 these farmers were given land grants in the "Firelands,"- Erie and Huron . . . — — Map (db m146192) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Drilling a well for suitable drinking
water was perhaps the single most
difficult task for the managers of the
infirmary. On August 29, 1884, male
infirmary workers drilled a 242-foot
well looking for water, but instead
discovered natural gas. . . . — — Map (db m185789) HM
On North Dixie Highway (Ohio Route 25) at Middleton Pike (Ohio Route 582), on the right when traveling north on North Dixie Highway.
Through the forest to the
east may still be seen the
original trail of Hull’s army
in June 1812, enroute to
Detroit. Some of the corduroy
timbers are still buried
along the route. — — Map (db m137357) HM
On County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Road 236), on the left when traveling west.
On September 24, 1873, the first Wood County Infirmary Superintendent, Thomas C. Reid,
was given permission to construct a hog pen. On August 17, 1903, Superintendent Frank Brandeberry replaced the original hog pen with the first brick . . . — — Map (db m185793) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Given the fluctuating number of inmates living in the Wood County Infirmary, it was
logical for the Wood County Commissioners to approve the construction of an ice house
to store and preserve perishable foods. Cement blocks from the demolition of . . . — — Map (db m185784) HM
Near County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Route 236), on the left when traveling west.
Log Cabin
While the log cabin is not original to the site, it
pays tribute to the first white settler in Center
Township, Benjamin Cox. In 1827-1828, Cox
built a cabin on the left bank of the Portage
River near the present junction of . . . — — Map (db m185796) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
The language used to describe those considered mentally ill in the
1800s included words like lunatic, idiotic, insane, or epileptic. Modern
interpretation of mental illness requires placing labels in historical
context or understanding the . . . — — Map (db m185780) HM
Prior to 1885, a wooden building with rooms overlooking a hog pen had been used to house the insane patients. It was in such poor condition, however, that the infirmary director would not be responsible for anything that might happen to patients . . . — — Map (db m185710) HM
On County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Road 236), on the left when traveling west.
One of two buildings used to isolate residents with infectious diseases from the rest of the infirmary household. The other Pest House no longer stands. — — Map (db m185792) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Over the course of many years, several contagious diseases infected inmates living
in the main infirmary building. Communicable diseases included: influenza, cholera,
pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Sick individuals were quarantined or isolated . . . — — Map (db m185791) HM
On Ridge Street, on the right when traveling west.
For 127 years, children from Bowling Green learned, laughed, and played on this site as students of the Ridge Street School.
Now dedicated to the outdoor enjoyment of area residents, Ridge Park will continue to be a place where new discoveries . . . — — Map (db m100137) HM
On S. Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Great Black Swamp mural is a symbolic narrative of
imagery from this region of fertile farmlands that was
once a vast swamp the remains of a receding Lake Erie.
Under the direction of artist Adrian Tio, ideas suggested
by students from the . . . — — Map (db m180773) HM
On South Main Street (State Highway 25), on the right when traveling south.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1987
Bowling Green was first platted in 1835. The Main Street Historic District represents the commercial buildings constructed around Bowling Green's brief "boom era" in the late 1800's . . . — — Map (db m116992) HM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
Although the state of Ohio authorized county funds be set aside
for the maintenance of the poor in 1816, it was not until June 3,
1863, when the Board of Wood County Commissioners selected a
site to build an infirmary farm. Decisions about . . . — — Map (db m185778) HM
On W. Wooster Street at S. Church Street, on the right when traveling east on W. Wooster Street.
Wooster Green's sculpture by Deedee Morrison, a nationally recognized sculptor and
installation artist from Greenville, South Carolina, reflects the identity and values of
the Bowling Green community. In her view, public art is all about . . . — — Map (db m180772) HM
On Main Street just east of Broad Street, on the right when traveling west.
Dedicated to the local veterans and volunteers who have given so much to make Tontogany and the United States what they are today.
Thank you for all you have done. — — Map (db m186495) WM
On W. Wooster Street at S. Church Street, on the right when traveling east on W. Wooster Street.
Side 1 City of Bowling Green
BG City Schools
BG Chamber of Commerce
BG Community Foundation
BG Convention & Visitors Bureau
BG Economic Development
Downtown Foundation
Side 2
Bowling Green High School occupied this . . . — — Map (db m180770) HM
On North Prospect Street at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on North Prospect Street.
United States of America
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
State of Ohio Wood County
Civil War
Bown, Wilson W. 2nd Lt. Georgia 1862 •
Buffman, Robert 2nd Lt. Georgia 1862 •
Mason, Eilhu H. 2nd Lt. Georgia 1862 • . . . — — Map (db m170773) WM
On E. Court Street, on the right when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
In celebration of our country's 200th birthday
this flag monument is dedicated to Wood County by the
following Wood County, veterans associations and their
auxiliaries in cooperation with the county commissioners:
American Legion
Forty and . . . — — Map (db m192999) WM
On County Home Road, on the left when traveling west.
The Ohio State Board of Charities instructed
county infirmaries to set aside a portion
of land for a pauper cemetery. In 2019,
the Wood County Museum dedicated a
monument noting 252 confirmed burials in
the Wood County Home Cemetery.
. . . — — Map (db m185783) HM
On E. Court Street at N. Summit Street, on the right when traveling west on E. Court Street.
This memorial commemorates the sacrifice of service members from Wood County, Ohio who died while serving our country outside an active combat zone
Robert R. Dimick •
Dale Ruswinkle •
Mathew A. Schaller •
Gordon L. Essinger •
John H. . . . — — Map (db m193390) WM
Near East Court Street at North Prospect Street, on the right when traveling west.
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), a sparsely populated Wood County (18,000 in 1860) furnished nearly 2,000 men for the Union military, and approximately 450 died in service. Wood County soldiers served in seventeen infantry regiments, two . . . — — Map (db m193393) WM
The Infirmary, also known as the poorhouse or simply "The Home," is one of the last county poorhouse sites in Ohio where nearly all of the original structures still stand. The main building, constructed in 1868 with outbuildings added over the . . . — — Map (db m29188) HM
On East Court Street at North Prospect Street, on the right when traveling east on East Court Street.
A war they say was forgotten, and will pass with time, this memorial is dedicated,
to those brave soldiers, who were left behind. Their dedication to mankind,
they fought with no regrets. A tribute to all, So shall never forget. . . . — — Map (db m170768) WM
On County Home Road (County Road 172) east of Linwood Road (County Road 236), on the left when traveling west.
Here is a little bit of information about what you are seeing on the grounds…
The 50-acre grounds of the Wood County Museum include a variety of areas for
reunions, ceremonies, picnics, and special events. This lush and unique backdrop is . . . — — Map (db m185790) HM
On E. Court Street at N. Summit Street, on the right when traveling west on E. Court Street.
In Memory Of The Men and Women Who Served In
Iraq, Afghanistan and
the Global War on Terrorism
Bradley Hart Africa •
David R. Christoff Iraq •
Thomas P. Belkofer Afghanistan •
Daniel E. Miller Afghanistan — — Map (db m193392) WM
On North Prospect Street at East Court Street, on the right when traveling north on North Prospect Street.
Wood County's best
of their generation.
In honor of
those who served in valor
and in memory of those who
were sacrificed in
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Welcome home.
Stephen Paul Shaner •
Gary Glen Winter •
Jesus Rosas Cruz • . . . — — Map (db m170769) WM
On E. Court Street, on the right when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
Dedicated to the heroic sons of wood county
who stand in the unbroken line of patriots
who dared to die that freedom might live,
and grow, and increase its blessings. freedom
lives, and through it, they live in a way
that humbles the . . . — — Map (db m193000) HM
On E. Court Street at N. Summit Street, on the right when traveling west on E. Court Street.
Dedicated to the heroic soldiers of Wood County
who stand in the unbroken line of patriots
who dared to die that freedom might live
and grow and increase its blessings.
Freedom lives and through it, they live -- in a way
that humbles the . . . — — Map (db m193397) WM
