These days when a circus comes to Central Ohio its usually inside an auditorium, not under a big tent. That was different in Grove City in 1959 when the Grove City Lions Club brought the Mills Brothers Circus to town. The three-ring circus, with a crew of nearly 500, set-up their tents for two shows at Windsor Park. A circus calliope attracted a crowd to the 3,000-seat big top tent for shows that included aerial acts, clowns, a herd of performing elephants, other animal acts and feature attractions.

Just in time for America250, we’ve added plenty of new audio files to our Oral History website page! Many thanks to the Grove City Historical Commission, who record talks with local citizens about their personal memories. We’ve partnered with them to make them available online. If you’re staying inside to avoid this week’s heat wave, check it out!

https://www.swfchs.org/oral-history

It’s time again for our summer Open House Events. This Saturday, June 27 from 2-4p, SWFCHS staff will provide fascinating info as you tour each of the historical buildings at Century Village on Orders Road. Admission is free (donations gladly accepted).

Not many years ago, much of Grove City was farmland where corn, soybeans, grains and hogs were raised. Most of those acres now grow families in new housing developments. The Grove City Farmers Exchange in the downtown was an important destination for area farmers and their families, a place where they could shop, visit and discuss crops. Today, that same building is a place to shop for antiques, dine at a popular restaurant or patronize other businesses within the old structure. The Grange was another important place where farmers and families could meet and exchange ideas. Once such meeting place was the Borror’s Corners Grange Hall. In 1899, snakes, women’s rights andsanitary arrangements on the farm were principal topics on the program. Learn more about Grove City’s past in a 200-page pictorial history available at the museum, 3378 Park Street.

The SWFCHS Annual Yard Sale is this Saturday, 9a-1p, at the Depot at Century Village on Orders Road. Come on in and help us raise funds for the many ongoing Society projects. It’s inside the depot—rain or shine!