November 1, 2008
Probably the best known old building in Nashville is the old hotel. What is not known, however, is the exact date of its construction. The hotel is a wooden structure; a log building built in three sections. Originally the hotel was called The American House and records indicate it was remodeled in 1865 by Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Harris who renamed it The Sherman House.
Through the years the old hotel building has had many different uses other than hotel accommodations. It was, in part, a general store around the time of the Civil War and the Harrises advertised that The Sherman House had “A No. 1 barn for horses and carriages and good livery with same”. In the early 1890s, a portion of the hotel’s basement was also a storeroom for caskets and furniture. At various times parts of the building housed a hardware store, a harness-making shop, saloon, dry-goods store, grocery store, and millinery. These diverse businesses were often operated by various merchants.
Another part of the building was known as the Stone Jug section because it was made of large sandstone blocks. This section was used as a horse sale barn and a garage. Later, the local Knights of Pythias built their lodge hall over a basement section of the building. After World War I, they discontinued their meetings and the hall found many new uses: town hall, recreation center, apartment house, and barber shop. Today the old hotel is in use as living quarters.
An interesting side note — When the Harris family moved to Holmes County in 1817 and settled near Nashville, John Harris brought his emancipated negro slave with him as he migrated to Ohio. This man was called “Black Jake Harris”. After John’s death in 1863, Jake continued to live with the Harris children, spending his final days with Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Harris. The Harrises ran the well-known Sherman House Hotel and Black Jake helped out around this business and also worked as a janitor for the Nashville Methodist Church until his death. He is buried in the Nashville Cemetery beside the church.
 Line drawing of The Sherman House Hotel in Nashville (From The 1875 Holmes County Atlas) |
 The American House, mid 1800s, later renamed The Sherman House |
 Main Street In Nashville, Ca 1905, looking West toward the old hotel but blocked by trees and showing only its two chimneys |
 The old hotel as it looks today |
Click here to see full-size photos
September 22, 2008
| The Millersburg Opera House was a city building, a combination of city hall and Opera House. It was a large, elegant two-story structure with arched windows and an impressive, ornate tower. The building was built in 1890 and was constructed of brick and sandstone. It was located in downtown Millersburg on the corner of Jackson and Monroe Streets. The structure housed several village offices and the Millersburg Fire Department in addition to the Opera House. In early years the building was also used as a voting precinct during election years.
The fire station part of the building was located on the east end of the structure. It had sandstone pillars, wooden floors, and two large wooden doors at the front of the building that provided fire engines with easy access to Jackson Street.
The Opera House portion of the building was entered from Jackson Street through a very large arched vestibule entry and front door . Upon entering, there was a lobby and a ticket booth before progressing to the main theatre. Upstairs was the balcony. The Opera House could seat 250 to 300 people in its main seating section plus the balcony area! |
 Millersburg Opera House and City Hall ca. 1910
Click here to see full-size photos |
In the early years the Opera House was used as a public entertainment center. It housed various performances, pageants, stage plays, etc., and local residents often took part in these presentations. After moving pictures became widely available, first-run movies were shown in the Opera House. It was the only movie theater in town and films ran seven days a week. Admission tickets were only six cents for a long time but eventually increased to a dime. On Wednesdays various merchants would sponsor movies at the Opera House and patrons could attend free of charge. Over the years the Opera House was used by many people and organizations: the Boy Scouts, a rifle range, and some can even remember playing basketball on the Opera House stage. Indeed, for years the Opera House provided the community with much good entertainment as well as a meeting place for various groups.
As time passed, however, a new movie theater was built on Clay Street, and the Opera House lost much of its business to this newer movie theater. Gradually the Opera House seemed to lose much of its usefulness, and the interior of the building fell into shambles over the years. Ultimately the fire department and village offices relocated to more modern accommodations, and finally the old Opera House was demolished in 1954 to make way for a parking lot.
August 8, 2008
Maxwell’s Clothing Store was established in Millersburg in 1866. The store is historically significant in that it was a family-owned business spanning four generations; and after much research in 1998, it was believed to be the oldest family-owned clothing store in the United States. The generations of Maxwells in chronological order were:
- First generation - Robert Maxwell and his brother J.T.
- Second generation - H.B. (Hod) and J.W., sons of Robert
- Third generation - H.R. (Chiddy), son of Hod
- Fourth generation - H. Richard (Dick) and John R., sons of H.R.
Maxwell’s Water Jug |
After the Civil War Robert and J.T. built a men’s clothing store next to the old Central Hotel (now Hotel Millersburg.). At that time Jackson Street was a dirt road, and water had to be obtained from a spigot on the courthouse lawn. So that customers could have a fresh drink, the water was then carried in an earthenware jug to the store. (This jug can currently be seen at the Victorian House Museum).
In early days The Millersburg Telephone Company provided only local phone service to the area but not long distance. So, Maxwell’s Clothing Store provided space for a public-use phone booth at the rear of their store, and this booth was connected to an Ohio Bell long distance line. An Ohio Bell sign hung outside the store to inform the community about the booth for long-distance calls. This phone service was managed and attended to by the managers of the Maxwell store. |
Through the years, Maxwell’s Clothing Store was recognized as a leader in the lines of goods carried by them. Their store was completely filled with all that was desirable in gentlemen’s and boys’ clothing. The latest styles and an enormous stock provided truly fine furnishings. Everything a man or boy could want in the matter of dress (except shoes) was found here — and there was never a charge for fitting.
| In 1876 a front half of a future second story was added with an outside entrance for use as a law office. In 1907 a full second floor was completed and occupied by the store. A decorative tin ceiling, skylight, and hard-rock maple floor were also installed. New display windows with marble bases were added as were a center display case and a tiled entry floor.
In 1988 a very extensive restoration was begun. Removal of pegboards from the display windows revealed beautiful paneled cherry wood in one window and a mirrored wall in the other. The maple floor was also resorted to its former beauty at this time. In 1990 the exterior of the building was restored using rich colors of gray, burgundy, and gold. |
Maxwell’s Clothing Store |
Over the years, the Maxwells were obliging and accommodating, and all four generations were very civic minded. But, former generations did not have the problems that face the smaller retail merchants of today — and sadly the Maxwell Store closed its doors on December 31, 2001, after 135 years in business.
Click here to see full-size photos
July 23, 2008
The Victorian House Museum in Millerburg, Ohio will host the First
Annual Holmes Co. Artisans Fair on August 23. The event will be from
1:00pm - 8:00pm. Area Holmes County artisans will be on site with
representative work and sign their artwork. This is a partnership with
local artisans sponsored by the Holmes County Historical Society in an
effort to promote cultural artist talent. The following artisans have
confirmed as of the date of this email:
Bonnie Doty - Acrylics and mixed media in florals and scenery
Dave Pratt - abstract organic shapes, mixed media, pastels
Don Weisgarber - Original watercolour paintings and prints
Cheryl Miller - architecture, landscapes, natural subjects
in graphite, color pencils, pastels
Vickie Boley - original oils and prints of local scenery
Beth Miller - local scenery in watercolor
Rob VanNatta - original impressionistic watercolor of local scenery
Louise Ritchy - Japanese fish art
Brooks Harris - Holmes County Historical Sketchbook
Jane Bilek (The Pretty Penny Shop) - Gourd Art, painted
furniture, and rocks
Ian Robinson (Tic Tock Gallery) Clock designs, repair and
horological photography
The artists will be located outside and inside of the Victorian House
Museum and a reduced admission price of $5.00 will get you into the
art show and tour the 28 room mansion. Refreshments will be served on
the front porch and Treavor McDowell will be performing on the keyboard.
Plan to come and enjoy the afternoon and evening as the area artisans
display their unique works of arts.
This is truly a Holmes County event, as all artisans must create their
own works. The Historical Society hopes to expand this event and make
it a signature event for Holmes County every year. This is a great event
to bring the family and enjoy some of the talented people that live
in the area. For additional information you can call 330-674-0022 or
visit our two websites,
www.victorianhouse.org. and www.holmeshistory.com.
Mark Boley
Executive Director
Holmes County Historical Society
www.victorianhouse.org
www.holmeshistory.com
email: info@holmeshistory.com
July 4, 2008
On the public square in Millersburg stands a massive granite monument dedicated to the soldiers of Holmes County. On the top of the monument stands a soldier in uniform at “parade rest”, facing north and carved from Concord, New Hampshire granite. The monument’s base is of native brown stone, and the shaft is made of dark Quincy granite from Massachusetts.
On the four sides of the shaft in raised letters are the names of the leaders of the first four wars of the United States. On the north side is Washington’s name engraved with this inscription: “Six soldiers of the Revolutionary War were residents of Holmes County, Ohio”. On the east side is the name Jackson, hero of the War of 1812, bearing this inscription: “In memory of the soldiers of the war A.D. 1812, who became citizens of Holmes County”. The south side is adorned by the name Scott, commander of the U.S. forces in the war with Mexico. This inscription reads: “More than 200 men from Holmes County served in the war with Mexico. They were engaged in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contrera, Cerubusco, Motino Del Ray, Chapultepec, and San Cosme”. On the last and west side is the name Grant, and this inscription speaks for itself of the loyalty of our county: “In response to the different calls of the government two thousand and fourteen men went from Holmes County during the War of the Rebellion. They were engaged in many battles, from Philippi to Appomattox”. Regarding the Civil War, Holmes County, in proportion to population, furnished more troops than any other county in the state of Ohio.
This monument was erected by voluntary contributions from the citizens of Holmes County. A committee headed by Dr. John G. Bigham took on the task of raising money to pay for the soldiers’ monument. Letters soliciting contributions for the monument were sent out. Millersburg businessmen donated liberally and different sections of the county also sent in donations. Among other events, in January 1886 a fair and festival was held which lasted for ten whole days.
| Finally on July 4, 1887, the beautiful monument was unveiled and dedicated. It was a gala day in Millersburg for everyone. People from all parts of the county came to honor and pay tribute to the brave men who served our country in defending the rights of liberty.
 Moving in the Base of the Monument |
The Monument |
Click here to see full-size photos
June 18, 2008
August 5 - Oak Hill Historic Cemetery Tour – Come join us for a fascinating “living history” program at Oak Hill Cemetery in Millersburg. Historic figures in Holmes Co. history will be brought to life as area actors present oral history of their past. Program starts at the mound in the cemetery. Actors at the graves of each historical figure will do a brief presentation. Donations accepted. Program begins at approx. 6:30pm.
August 23 – Artists, Authors and Musicians at the Victorian House – The Victorian House will be transformed into an artisans fair for the weekend where area artist, authors and musicians will exhibit their works. Artists will be on hand to personally sign their works. This is a first time event to support our area artisans. Time is Sat. 1:00 – 8:00pm. If you are an area artist and would like more information call the office at 330-674-0022
September 13 – A Day at “The Glens”/Troyers Hollow Area - Come and join us as we partner with the Holmes County Naturalist Program, OSU Extension Office to present the geologic and botanical history of the Troyers Hollow area. Bring your lunch, beverage will be provided at noon. Hike and program begins at 10:00am and 1:00pm at Troyers Hollow. Follow the signs off SR557 one mile north of Charm. The event is free to the public
October 15 – Downtown Millersburg Historic Building and Heritage Workshop – This will be the kick off for a program series focusing on the interpretation of our historic downtown area. Thru an “adopt a building” program the history of the downtown buildings will be presented and the idea of workshops for local business/building owners on how to create historical displays in their businesses. Location Faith Lutheran Church at 7:00pm.
Nov. 22 – Dec. 31 – Holiday’s at the Mansion - Victorian House Museum – 28 room mansion decorated by area businesses, and organizations opens for holiday tours.