Marking Wadsworth history
City’s historical marker unveiled at Johnson House
An Ohio Historical Marker now commemorates Wadsworth’s Johnson House as well as the carriage factory that was once located across the street. Photos by EMILY CANNING-DEAN
WADSWORTH – A part of Wadsworth’s history was recently commemorated in a very visible way.
Members of the community and the Wadsworth Area Historical Society gathered Aug. 11 outside the Johnson House on High Street, which serves as the historical society museum, for the unveiling of an Ohio Historical Marker that commemorates both the Johnson House and the Carriage Factory that was once located across the street.
“The closest plaque to us is out at Sky Park,” said Roger Havens, president of the Wadsworth Area Historical Society. “There has not been one inside the city until today.”
Havens thanked the groups that made this historical marker a reality, including the historical society, American Legion Post 170, the Whitlam family and the Ohio History Connection.
Anthony Gibbs of the Ohio History Connection explained the Ohio Historical Markers began in 1957 as a way to allow local communities an opportunity to come together and honor important places and people.
“There are roughly 1,600 historical markers in Ohio with more being produced every year,” he said. “These markers tell the story of Ohio.”
Gibbs gave credit to the historical society, the Whitlam Family and the American Legion for writing the marker text, doing the necessary research, raising funds and submitted the application for the historical marker.
“This is a very exciting day and really one of a kind for us,” said Mayor Robin Laubaugh during the dedication. “This is a special place for our community. It is a place where we can gather and take pride in our heritage and volunteers spend many hours here documenting and filing and making sure we are retaining our history. We are proud to have this in our community.”
The Johnson House was built in 1852 and its first owner was Henry J. Traver, who owned the Traver and Company carriage factory across the street.
The house was the residence and office of four different doctors from 1877 until 1994 including Daniel Cranz, Thomas Ritter, Robert Johnson and Myra Johnson. After Myra Johnson’s death, the house was converted into a museum and it is operated by the historical society and owned by the city.
The carriage factory was believed to be established around 1838 and was eventually acquired by Traver. The firm’s office was the location of Wadsworth’s first election April 4, 1866 when Aaron Pardee was elected as Wadsworth’s first mayor.
Automobiles began to replace horse drawn vehicles in the early 20th century and the business closed in 1915.
Members of the community and the Wadsworth Area Historical Society gathered Aug. 11 outside the Johnson House on High Street, which serves as the historical society museum, for the unveiling of an Ohio Historical Marker that commemorates both the Johnson House and the Carriage Factory that was once located across the street.
“The closest plaque to us is out at Sky Park,” said Roger Havens, president of the Wadsworth Area Historical Society. “There has not been one inside the city until today.”
Havens thanked the groups that made this historical marker a reality, including the historical society, American Legion Post 170, the Whitlam family and the Ohio History Connection.
Anthony Gibbs of the Ohio History Connection explained the Ohio Historical Markers began in 1957 as a way to allow local communities an opportunity to come together and honor important places and people.
“There are roughly 1,600 historical markers in Ohio with more being produced every year,” he said. “These markers tell the story of Ohio.”
Gibbs gave credit to the historical society, the Whitlam Family and the American Legion for writing the marker text, doing the necessary research, raising funds and submitted the application for the historical marker.
“This is a very exciting day and really one of a kind for us,” said Mayor Robin Laubaugh during the dedication. “This is a special place for our community. It is a place where we can gather and take pride in our heritage and volunteers spend many hours here documenting and filing and making sure we are retaining our history. We are proud to have this in our community.”
The Johnson House was built in 1852 and its first owner was Henry J. Traver, who owned the Traver and Company carriage factory across the street.
The house was the residence and office of four different doctors from 1877 until 1994 including Daniel Cranz, Thomas Ritter, Robert Johnson and Myra Johnson. After Myra Johnson’s death, the house was converted into a museum and it is operated by the historical society and owned by the city.
The carriage factory was believed to be established around 1838 and was eventually acquired by Traver. The firm’s office was the location of Wadsworth’s first election April 4, 1866 when Aaron Pardee was elected as Wadsworth’s first mayor.
Automobiles began to replace horse drawn vehicles in the early 20th century and the business closed in 1915.