This "Double Arrow" Wrought Iron Fence was installed around the home of Judge Jerome Buckingham at 70 North Third Street in about 1835.
It was generously given by Dennis Crowley, a retired Newark fireman, to J. Gilbert Reese and James W. Pyle . . . — — Map (db m97314) HM
The Works is pleased to be able to exhibit a piece of machinery that was manufactured on our premises over a century ago. This sawmill is a great reminder of Newark's rich industrial heritage and an example of our community's commitment to . . . — — Map (db m206049) HM
The A.H. Heisey & Co. produced high quality, hand-wrought glass in Newark, Ohio beginning in 1896. Glass originally produced by pressing was intended to simulate cut glass making elegant glass affordable to more families. Heisey was an innovator in . . . — — Map (db m12561) HM
This copper fresh air intake hood
was removed from the roof of the
downtown Louis Sullivan-designed
jewel box bank during its
exterior restoration in 2019.
Inspired by the iconic structure's
leaded art glass windows, the iron base
was created . . . — — Map (db m205991) HM
Dedicated to the
police, firemen, EMTs and
all of the victims of the tragedy
of September 11, 2001
in New York, Pennsylvania
and the Pentagon
Also dedicated to the firemen, policemen,
EMTs and all city employees of Newark
Dedicated . . . — — Map (db m205881) WM
Bigelow Park is named for Dr. Oliver Bigelow
(1739-1817), a physician who served during the
American Revolution. In 1810 he purchased 4,000
acres and laid out the plans for Johnstown.
Following his death, Elijah Barton was contracted to
build . . . — — Map (db m205970) HM
The preserve is rich in natural as well as early Ohio history. The name, Blackhand, originated from a dark hand-shaped Indian petroglyph which was engraved on the face of a massive sandstone cliff along the north side of the river. The engraving was . . . — — Map (db m205963) HM
Buckeye Lake is the oldest state park in Ohio with
21 islands and over 30 miles of shoreline. Buckeye
Lake, once known as the Great Buffalo Swamp by the
native Indians, was mapped by explorer Christopher Gist
in 1775. Buckeye Lake Amusement Park . . . — — Map (db m205973) HM
Passageway: Stories from Newark, Ohio, designed and painted in 2016 by Curtis Goldstein. Along the corridor from the Licking County Courthouse to Pennsylvania Railway station, Passageway combines historic elements from the 1800's to . . . — — Map (db m205882) HM
In winter, folks would ice skate on the frozen canal that stretched through downtown Newark.
This scene was created from old photographs by local historians Chalmers Pancoast and James T. Hanes — — Map (db m205883) HM
United States of America
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
State of Ohio, Licking County
Civil War
Hanna, Milton Sergeant Tennessee 1863
Inscho, Leonidas H. 1st Lt Maryland 1862 . . . — — Map (db m12876) HM
Built by Jackson Davis in 1861, The Davis-Shaí House
originally sat near the Ohio and Erie Canal. With its steep
roofs, wide verandas, cluster chimneys, and exterior décor, the
Davis-Shai House captures the Gothic Revival architectural
style . . . — — Map (db m205972) HM
Denison University, a leading national liberal arts
college founded with pioneer spirit on the edge of
the American frontier, continues to break new
ground in the 21st century. Since its first class in
1831, Denison has nurtured leadership in . . . — — Map (db m205975) HM
During the 1830s, the Ohio & Erie Canal was built through Newark. The Lockmaster's House was home to the lockmaster of Lock #9. In 1852, the first railroad locomotive steamed into Newark, signaling the beginning of the end for the canal. By 1871, . . . — — Map (db m12582) HM
Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries, Nature Preserve and Museum give visitors a window into the lives of the pre-contact American Indians who quarried the flint here from 14,000 to around 400 years ago. The name "Flint Ridge” refers to the multi-colored . . . — — Map (db m205962) HM
Paths and trails wave their way through dense forests as the hooves of deer and bison left their mark in the earth in search of food and water. Eventually, these paths gave way to the soft patter of human feet) as they became used by local tribes . . . — — Map (db m206027) HM
J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese have committed their time, passion and
dollars making Licking County a proud place to live and visit. Their
philanthropy and dedication to our community has been far reaching.
The Canal Market District and . . . — — Map (db m205956) HM
Although the Newark Earthworks were an imposing site to the first settlers of this area, major portions were gradually destroyed by farming, the construction of roads, canals, railroads, and the development of the city. In the 1890s, the City of . . . — — Map (db m200102) HM
On July 8, 1910 Deputy Marshal Carl Etherington was killed
for enforcing the County Option Law, which prohibited the
sale of alcohol in Licking County. The County Option Law
was a result of the Rose Law of 1908 and a precursor to
the National . . . — — Map (db m117887) HM
This old Scheidler sawmill was found in the woods of western Delaware County, Ohio on the property of Vaughn DeWitt. The sawmill belonged to Vaughn's uncle, Walter DeWitt, who had been a sawyer for most of his life. Walter began learning the . . . — — Map (db m206048) HM
A typical steam engine used to power sawmill. A life-sized example of a steam engine is on display inside the Works!
In the past, sawmills were powered either by a steam engine or by water. Today sawmills are generally gasoline-powered and . . . — — Map (db m206047) HM
In honor of Jerry McClain for his considerate
generosity, influential leadership and commitment
to the success of The Midland Theatre and
downtown Newark.
"The Midland is a keystone for progress as
Newark and Licking County embraces its . . . — — Map (db m205993) HM
Herbert A. Odle joined The Holophane Company in Newark, Ohio, in 1949 as a graduate of the University of Illinois, and during his career he proceeded to live up to his nickname "The Light Man.” given to him in 1947 in a newsletter of the . . . — — Map (db m206029) HM
William S. Wright founded the Jewett Car Company in 1897.
Located in Jewett, Ohio, the company manufactured street
cars and interurban cars. The Newark Board of Trade enticed
the firm to the city by offering a free ten acre site, $8,000 in
cash, . . . — — Map (db m205995) HM
Considered the youngest ever to serve, Clem ran away from home at the age of 9 yrs. and 10 mos. to join the Union Army. At Snodgrass Hill, as a drummer boy in Co. “C” 22nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, he won the sobriquet "The Drummer . . . — — Map (db m12579) HM
A ten year old orphan, he enlisted in the Union army, being assigned to the 22nd Michigan Regiment. Decorated for valor at Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing) and Chickamauga. Commissioned Second Lt. by President Grant.
Died May 13, 1937
Major . . . — — Map (db m205880) HM
As a private in the infantry of the 1st United States Regiment, and during the years 1805 to 1807, John Sparks (1758-1846) acted as guide, scout, and hunter for the two expeditions of Zebulon Pike, which helped to open up largely unknown areas in . . . — — Map (db m206741) HM
Designed by J. W. Yost, a renowned Ohio architect, the jail first opened
for use in 1889 and closed in 1987. The front three levels were built to
house the families of the sheriff and the jail matron. The rear portion of
the building was used for . . . — — Map (db m205988) HM
July 8, 1910 was a dark day in local history. Carl Etherington, a detective with the Anti-Saloon League of Ohio, had come to Newark to raid saloons and speakeasies for illegal alcohol. Etherington shot local saloon owner William Howard in . . . — — Map (db m117853) HM
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a contagious disease that
was responsible for the deaths of one out of every
seven people in the U.S. in the early 20th century.
The Licking County Tuberculosis Sanatorium,
known as the TB San, was constructed in . . . — — Map (db m142456) HM
In the 1890s, women in Newark identified the need for a
community hospital. Possessing neither property nor
money made this vision difficult. Nine beds were
donated along with food, supplies, and gifts of $.50 to
$50. On December 20, 1898, the . . . — — Map (db m205958) HM
One North Third Street was designed by famous
Chicago architect Louis Sullivan and built in 1914.
The beautiful structure includes elaborate
gray-green terra cotta, colorful mosaics,
opalescent glass panels, and a palatial interior
banking hall . . . — — Map (db m205984) HM
The present house was built in 1869 by Dixon Brown, a Somerset, Ohio merchant, as a wedding present for his daughter, Ella Brown McCune.
The second owner, Melville O. Baker, occupied the house from 1879-1893, when Mr. Baker moved to . . . — — Map (db m97336) HM
A Wonder of the World
These walls were once the center of an ancient civilization. The Octagon Earthworks, like a modern cathedral or county fairgrounds, were a focal point for the social and religious activities of the Hopewell people about . . . — — Map (db m17487) HM
Making the final leg of her journey on the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1840, sixteen-year-old Ellen Snell traveled 4,000 miles from her home in England to a country totally foreign to her. The Snell family were like many immigrants before and after . . . — — Map (db m206030) HM
• The groundbreaking for the Ohio and Erie Canal occurred on July 4, 1825 at Licking Summit, south of Newark.
• The first canal boat from Cleveland arrived in Newark on July 10, 1830.
• 23 miles of the Ohio and Erie Canali ran through . . . — — Map (db m206045) HM
Construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal began on July
4, 1825. Once completed, the canal ran between
Portsmouth on the Ohio River and Cleveland on Lake
Erie. The canal's route through Newark connected the
city to the far boundaries of the state . . . — — Map (db m205957) HM
James Birkey could clearly see that the importance of the Ohio and Erie Canal was being eclipsed elsewhere by newly-built railroad lines. His foresight led him to recognize that without a railroad connection of its own, Newark would cease to be . . . — — Map (db m206032) HM
The Avery-Downer House (1842), located in the
Village of Granville, is one of America's finest examples
of Greek Revival architecture. Robbins Hunter, Jr., son
of a prominent Newark family, was a noted antiquarian,
preservationist, and . . . — — Map (db m205976) HM
This sawmill was manufactured by Scheidler Machine Works, which was located in the brick building across the street that now houses The Works museum.
Scheidler Machine Works was in operation from 1881-1926, manufacturing as many as 75 steam . . . — — Map (db m206046) HM
The ca. 1825 Sherwood-Davidson House is an
elegant Federal Period home filled with furniture,
paintings and artifacts, spanning the earliest
history of Licking County through the end of the
nineteenth century. The museum was owned by
only 2 . . . — — Map (db m205982) HM
On this site in 1894, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building was erected to honor those from Licking County who died in the Civil War. The original building facade was destroyed by fire in 1968. The building also housed the Auditorium Theater, . . . — — Map (db m97335) HM
The Newark Earthworks complex was built by the prehistoric Hopewell Indians who occupied central and southern Ohio between approximately 100 B.C. and A.D. 500. These people, supporting themselves by hunting, gathering wild plant foods, and growing . . . — — Map (db m200067) HM
J. Gilbert (Gib) Reese was born in Newark in 1925.
He has a deep seeded passion for his hometown.
Gib spent his career practicing law in Newark but
for over 60 years he worked tirelessly to make a
difference for his community.
Gib's vision . . . — — Map (db m205990) HM
The 1870s-vintage classic Victorian Italianate house was built by Civil War Captain Joseph M. Scott who was from a locally prominent family that was active in the Underground Railroad prior to and during the Civil War. Located near the corner of . . . — — Map (db m205971) HM
A unique feature of the circle is the so-called crown work opposite the opening to the octagon. This oval mound is 170 feet long and approximately 8 feet higher than the adjoining portions of the circle. Since the mid-19th century, this mound has . . . — — Map (db m200139) HM
Established in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes,
The Dawes Arboretum was founded to encourage
the planting of forest and ornamental trees, to give
pleasure to the public and education to the youth.
Newark, Ohio was chosen because of its . . . — — Map (db m205961) HM
The Great Circle Earthworks was built by the Hopewell Culture around 2,000 years ago as a ceremonial site. The Newark Earthworks is a remnant of the largest system of geometric earthworks in the world, covering several square miles. This ancient . . . — — Map (db m205980) HM
Since 1858, The Hartford Fair has been an annual tradition
in Croton, Ohio. Since the fair was organized during the
Civil War when money was scarce the first building was
not built until 1868. In 1883 the first amphitheater was
built. The . . . — — Map (db m205969) HM
Constructed in 1916 for less than $20,000, it housed the
Mayor and Council offices, the Village Jail and Town
Marshall's office, the Town Library, the Volunteer Fire
Department, and a large room in the basement used as the
school basketball . . . — — Map (db m205967) HM
Newark's first hospital opened on this site in January 1898. In 1906, the building was moved to 22 Wyoming and attached to an existing structure, creating a 22-bed hospital. In December 1914, a new hospital opened at the corners of Everett and Buena . . . — — Map (db m12874) HM
Howard Laferie never imagined that the rumble of diesel engines would be a common part of his life when the graduated with a degree in architectural engineering in 1825. Even sit, fucking and transportation became a primary focus of care. Thanks . . . — — Map (db m206035) HM
"The cars I recall were quite large, not unlike a steam railroad coach, and painted dark red except for one wonderful yellow car, when I was a tiny child." Minnie Hite Moody's memories of the Newark and Granville Electric Road paint a vivid . . . — — Map (db m206034) HM
The Park National Bank dedicates this building to
John W. Alford
His leadership, judgement, dedication and integrity have been of inestimable value to this bank and this community for 50 years — — Map (db m12512) HM
Licking County was created in 1808. This is the fourth
courthouse in Licking County; all were located on the
public square. The first courthouse was a log building
constructed around 1809. Construction of the current
Licking County Courthouse . . . — — Map (db m205986) HM
Licking County was established in 1808. Construction
of the current Licking County Courthouse began in
1876. In 1879, a fire destroyed upper portions of
this building, which were replaced in 1880.
Architect Henry E. Myer of Cleveland . . . — — Map (db m225386) HM
Led by J. Gilbert Reese, The Thomas J. Evans
Foundation completed the first segment of trail in 1980
linking Newark to Granville. The second segment
linking Granville to Johnstown was completed by the
foundation in 1981. Since then numerous . . . — — Map (db m205965) HM
The Midland Theatre opened December 20, 1928
and operated for 50 years before a blizzard in 1978
caused substantial damage and the theatre was
forced to close. In 1992, after 14 years of
dormancy, Dave Longaberger purchased the
theatre and . . . — — Map (db m205983) HM
Augustus H. Heisey chose Newark, Ohio,
because the Newark Board of Trade was actively
seeking industry, there was an abundance of
natural gas nearby, and plenty of low cost labor
was available. Construction of the factory at 301
Oakwood Avenue . . . — — Map (db m205981) HM
The din of wagon wheels and horses hooves on the macadam pavement of the National Road heralded a new era of American history. For families living in towns like Hebron, Brownsville, or Jacksontown, the National Road was an important part of the . . . — — Map (db m206028) HM
The Newark Earthworks is truly one of the most magnificent prehistoric Indian sites in the eastern United States. Covering an area two miles square, it once was the largest earthworks complex in Ohio. The main components of the site are the large . . . — — Map (db m155655) HM
The Newark Earthworks, covering over 4 squire miles, is the largest geometric earthworks complex in the world. The site includes a combined circle and octagon, a square, and a second circle, all connected by earthen walls.
One pair of earthen . . . — — Map (db m200116) HM
The form of this mound is unique among all the known Hopewellian mounds. Some 19th century archaeologists thought that the builders had planned to extend a set of parallel walls from the circle, bu thene changed their minds and blocked off the stubs . . . — — Map (db m18101) HM
Within the octagon are 8 flat-topped mounds positioned just inside the openings between wall segments. Each one is 6 feet high, 75 to 90 feet long, and 40 to 60 feet wide. The function of these mounds has not been determined. However, they may have . . . — — Map (db m200126) HM
The Ohio & Erie Canal Park is dedicated to the life and memory of Joseph M. Bowden, 1957-2012.
The Works was created from the vision and resources of Howard B. LeFevre and the physical facilities were made possible by the tireless efforts of . . . — — Map (db m206044) HM
A community effort led by Howard E. LeFevre, C. Allen
Milliken and J. Gilbert Reese resulted in a shared
campus that has become a model of educational
efficiency nationwide. Community members gathered to
paint, renovate and furnish an old barn, . . . — — Map (db m205979) HM
In the late 1890's the Pennsylvania Station was built for a
total of $20,000. To reach the elevated tracks for all arriving
and departing trains, passengers would walk through a tunnel
underneath the tracks, climb the steps and board the . . . — — Map (db m205989) HM
The Rodrick Bridge was designed by Squire Whipple,
a civil engineer known as the 'Father of Iron Bridge
building in America', in 1841 and built in 1872 by his
nephew, James W. Shipman. The bridge is one of only
three bridges of its kind in the . . . — — Map (db m205978) HM
The Village of Granville was founded in 1805 by New
England settlers from Granville, Massachusetts and
Granby, Connecticut, who sought more fertile farmland.
Before leaving New England, the Village design was
based on a traditional New England . . . — — Map (db m205977) HM
The vision for The Works: Ohio Center for History,
Art & Technology began in the early 1990s
when Howard LeFevre assembled a group
of local citizens interested in preserving
Licking County's industrial past. Educators,
artists, engineers, and . . . — — Map (db m205985) HM
This tree, a gift from the City of Newark, was planted to honor the 200th birthday of The American Constitution Dedicated this day 15th day of March, 1987. — — Map (db m205879) HM
Dedicated as a lasting tribute to the men and women of Newark who served and died in honor of their country. This memorial is dedicated in sincere tribute to those men and women of Newark who served and died in all wars. “The freedom of a . . . — — Map (db m12563) HM
In recognition of
the patriotism of
the people of
Licking County
who oversubscribed their
war savings quota 1918
this tablet is
gratefully erected by the
Ohio War Savings Committee — — Map (db m205811) HM WM
Welcome to the Streetscape & History Walk In 1881, Reinhard Scheidler built a new factory building at SS S. 1st Street for his business, the Scheidler Machine Works. Today, that building houses our museum. Scheidler built many types of machinery, . . . — — Map (db m206025) HM
Ancient Architecture Now Lost
The two earthen walls before you are remnants of one of the wonders of the ancient world. They were part of the Newark Earthworks, the largest set of geometric enclosures ever built. Much like a modern cathedral . . . — — Map (db m17485) HM
Ye Olde Mill was constructed in 1817 as a sawmill
and later, a gristmill. In the 1900s, Ye Olde Mill
was a community hangout where locals could
come to the swimming pool and skating rink..
Today, the Dager Family owns Ye Olde Mill,
which houses . . . — — Map (db m205959) HM