The Orders Road School at Century Village in Fryer Park stands today much to the efforts of the late Ray Easley. In 1988, the city purchased the Fryer Farm with plans to tear down the old school building but Easley approached city council with plans to restore the building as a historic landmark. Marilyn Gibboney, then president of the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society became involved, writing an article in The Grove City Record that encouraged others to join the effort. Restoration proved to be a challenge because a portion of the brick structure had been removed to install a garage door. Finding brick to match the building was an issue until Marilyn Wright offered the old Walnut Grove School building on her property as a source of matching brick. Mayor Cheryl Grossman had the city tear down the Walnut Grove building and volunteers cleaned more than 13,000 bricks for the Orders School restoration project. The Grove City Lumber Yard donated new window frames and the Grove City High School Industrial Arts class built desks, benches and installed a new roof. In 2003, the school was dedicated and an Ohio Historical Marker, donated by Edna Wade Taylor, was unveiled.

The centerpiece exhibit at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum is a pristine 1912 Ford Model T donated by Joan Eyerman and her late husband, Louis. The vehicle first entered the building Sept. 19, 2009 becoming the first exhibit at the newly created museum. For many years it was a popular attraction at the September Arts in the Alley Parade. The vehicle is now on permanent display inside the museum. Joan and Louie purchased the car in 1985 from Earl Trego who had purchased it in 1941 from Carl DeLong who is believed to have been the original owner. The museum is a partnership between the City of Grove City and the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society. It’s open free to the public Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until Noon.

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).