History

A Rich History

Though pioneers had called the area home since 1817, it wasn't until 1830 that John Pray laid out the village and began drawing a plat map. Waterville is the second oldest plat in Lucas County. The original plat consisted of 50 lots and the area where the former Waterville Elementary School now stands was designated as the public square, where the townspeople tethered their cows to graze. The village was incorporated in 1832.

One of Waterville's most important historical treasures is the Columbian House, now a restaurant, that stands at the corner of River Road and Farnsworth. John Pray built the first wing of this imposing structure in 1828 and it served as a trading post, tavern, and inn. Lucas County tax records show a valuation of $700 for the Columbian House in 1836. With its black walnut framing timbers, doors and woodwork, duplication of the building today would be prohibitive indeed. In 1837, the three story section was added with its great ballroom on the third floor and the village's only jail cell on the second. It soon became the social center for the entire area. Perhaps its most famous guest was Henry Ford who rented the Columbian House for a Halloween Ball in 1927. John Pray sold the inn in 1843, the same year as the opening of the Miami and Erie Canal. Perhaps he anticipated that the stage coach passengers who traveled the River Road would switch their loyalties to the more comfortable canal boats.

The first canal boat passed through Waterville in 1843 on its way to Fort Wayne. In 1845, the United States Government transported soldiers on the canal from Toledo to Cincinnati for the Mexican War, a trip that took 56 hours. Until 1852, the canal was regarded as part of a great military highway between New York and New Orleans. Gristmills and general stores prospered along the canal; the Pekin Mill and Rupp's Store in Waterville were two of the busiest. In 1916 Waterville was said to be the grain center of Ohio. The canal also served as entertainment for local residents; it was a favorite spot for ice skating from Thanksgiving to the spring thaw. It was not uncommon to skate to Grand Rapids and back in an evening. After skating, young and old alike would gather around the big old stove at the back of Rupp's Store to warm themselves. During the summer, the canal was used for fishing. Beginning in 1929, the canal was drained and filled. The age of the railroad had long since eclipsed the era of the canal.

Waterville residents were excited when the Lima-Toledo Traction Company announced in 1907 that an interurban line through the village was being planned with cars expecting to reach Toledo in the miraculous time of 20 minutes. Grandest of all was the news that the longest reinforced concrete railroad bridge in the world would be built at the historic site of the Roche de Boeuf, an outcropping of rock in the Maumee River just south of the village where native Americans were said to have gathered in earlier times. For the next 30 years the red interurban cars raced across the bridge, one of the cars actually winning a race against an airplane in 1930, rocketing along at nearly 100 miles an hour. The railway line went out of business in 1937, but the decaying old bridge remains standing today as a testament to engineering history.

The Waterville Historical Society was organized in 1964. The Society currently owns and functions as steward for three historic buildings in Waterville, two of which are historical museums. They are open to the public one day each month during the summer months and during the annual Roche de Boeuf Festival in September. The third, Wakeman Hall, serves as the Society’s meeting room and home to the Wakeman Archival Research Center for genealogists and other researchers of local history. The Society also conducts guided walking tours of the historical section of Waterville and programs of historical interest. The Waterville Historical Society can be contacted at PO Box 263, Waterville, Ohio 43566, or by e-mail through this web site.

Wakeman Archival Research Center

The Wakeman Archival Research Center began operations in 2001. The center is a repository of paper-based archives relevant to the Waterville area. Archival resources are cataloged and entered into a software database designed for historical museums and research centers. The resources are then stored in containers appropriate to the preservation needs of such treasures. Likewise, temperature and humidity levels are controlled in the archive center to protect historic resources.

Archival resources at the Center include photographs, maps, ledgers, books, letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, and other records relating to the Waterville area or local area families. Transcribing oral histories and Civil War era letters is an ongoing function of the Center. Additionally, Center volunteers provide limited genealogy help to researchers from all over the country. The largest ongoing task, however, is continually adding to the files by copying applicable data of other historical research organizations, libraries, government entities, cemeteries, churches, newspapers, etc. The Center encourages donations of: (1) family genealogies and histories, (2) photographs or news articles about local families, places, or events, (3) information about early homes and buildings, (4) information on early or current businesses, (5) information on local clubs, organizations, and churches, (6) funeral or cemetery records, (7) military records, (8) local history books, maps, and atlases, school yearbooks, etc.

The Wakeman Archival Research Center is open to the public one day per week in the summer and by appointment at all other times. Local research is provided by center staff at a rate of $10.00 per hour. For information or to make paper-based resource donations to the Center, contact the Society through this web site.

Wakeman Hall Restoration Continues

Built in 1880, Wakeman Hall was used by the Masons for over a hundred years, but fell under disrepair and was threatened with destruction. Since its purchase in 1997 by the Waterville Historical Society, Wakeman Hall has undergone extensive restoration. Some interior restoration on the second floor remains a work in progress, but the “storefront” museum, archive center, and main meeting area is completed and functioning as planned. The most costly project remaining is the installation of much needed parking lot surfacing.

Securing capital funds needed to complete the restoration of Wakeman Hall has been no small challenge to the Society. In addition to generous bequests, the purchase and restoration of Wakeman Hall has been made possible in large part by the sale of commemorative bricks for the terrace area and stones for the commemorative wall. Several bricks and two stones remain unsold and information on contributing to this community resource while commemorating a loved one is available by contacting the Society through this web site.

Local History Books For Sale

The Society has the following local history books for sale at Smoke and Fire located on River Road in Waterville or by contacting the Society at this web site:

Watervillore, by Midge Campbell: a general history of Waterville with many fine photos

Memorial Profiles, by Waterville Historical Society: a collection of biographical sketches of Watervillians

A History of the Columbian House, by Diane F. Britton, et al: a comprehensive history of
Waterville's most treasured buildings

Soldier Spirit, a memorial list of soldiers from Waterville who served in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the war with Spain in 1898

Walking Through the Wakeman, by John and Vern Rose, a reading of the gravestones in the Wakeman Cemetery, Waterville, Ohio

Waterville Historical Society’s "Wish List"

Contact the Society through this web site if you are able to donate any of these items:

Computer, printer/scanner

Dress and hat forms

Light box for photo negatives

To contact the Waterville Historical Society, e-mail: phyder@roadrunner.com

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HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION ON WATERVILLE ROCHE DE BOEUF DAY

Waterville’s historic landmark Roche de Boeuf and the old interurban bridge that is supported by it is commemorated by an Ohio Historical Society Bicentennial Marker dedicated on Roche de Boeuf Day, September 22, 2001. Application for the marker was sent in over a year ago by the Waterville Historical Society. Lora Beckwith, chair of the Historical Sites and Logo Committee stated in her letter to the Bicentennial Commission, "Together they play a great part in the history of Ohio, and in the case of the limestone outcropping, with its connection to the Battle of Fallen Timbers, in the outcome of the Northwest Territory Settlement."

The rock was used by American Indians as a place to hold their councils, and they met there before the battle with Anthony Wayne in 1794. The General built Fort Deposit on the nearby bluff of the river.

The bridge was completed in 1908 and was considered an engineering marvel, although there was much opposition to its partial destruction of the legendary rock. An electric trolley ran across it connecting Toledo to points south for the next 30 years. The now crumbling Roman arches are an artist’s delight.

Dr. J. D. Britton of the Ohio Historical Society said over 200 applications for the markers have been made so far, and about one hundred have been granted. As many as 300 more may be funded before the year 2003. Dr. Britton prepared the text for the sign and included both the Roche de Boeuf and Roche de Bout names as both have been used since the 1700s.

Funds were donated by the Longaberger Company of Newark, Ohio to erect historical markers across the state in celebration of the Bicentennial Year 2003. The company, the Ohio Historical Society and the local community share the cost of the large cast-aluminum signs. The Village of Waterville has agreed to pay the Waterville Historical Society’s share as part of the village bicentennial celebration.

Administered by the Ohio Historical Society, the Historical Markers program enables Ohioans to commemorate and celebrate local history and to learn more about the state. Designed to be permanent and highly visible, the markers tell stories about aspects of Ohio’s history. The Waterville Historical Society feels the sign will remind both visitors and residents of the historical significance of our area of the state.

To contact the Waterville Historical Society, e-mail: phyder@roadrunner.com