HOCKING COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

HOCKING COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM We are open Saturdays from 1 - 4., and by a pre-set appointment by calling 740 385-6026. We bring you the Best of Hocking County's Past! You'll be glad you did!

Admission to our museum and parking are free. The museum is handicapped accessible. Our museum is staffed with friendly, knowledgeable volunteers on Friday and Saturday afternoons (1-4 pm) to help you in your research and/or tour. Private and group/bus tours are welcome and encouraged. Please contact us to set up your private tour. Within our museum you can go back in history. Visit the 1881 SCHEM

PP HOUSE, and learn how people actually lived in that period with each room bursting with exhibits. The Historical Center has a TIMELINE covering 100 years of history, a one-room schoolhouse, military displays, indian artifacts and much more. The CARRIAGE HOUSE features farm implements and period tools. You may also visit the HENRY LUTZ 1898 STEAM CAR GARAGE and learn the history of the steam car. A PIONEER CONESTOGA WAGON and OLDE PRINTSHOP can be seen on site, along with a RAILROAD TELEGRAPH OFFICE, complete with Hocking Valley Railroad memorabilia. We also have a room available for GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH. Included are the histories of many local families and notables, old yearbooks, books by local authors and much, much more. We also have books available for purchase covering many diverse subjects. A complete will soon be available on our page.

MODERETTE BEAUTY SHOPPEOWNER – CLARA B. WIANTFound in the 1983 Ohio Historical Review of Hocking and Fairfield Counties ...
09/03/2026

MODERETTE BEAUTY SHOPPE
OWNER – CLARA B. WIANT
Found in the 1983 Ohio Historical Review of Hocking and Fairfield Counties as a supporter advertisement.
The Modernette Beauty Shoppe is located at 160 East Main Street, in Logan, Ohio, phone 385-2024 for an appointment.
Here is featured women’s styling in the utmost professional atmosphere. One cannot find a better establishment for hairstyling and cutting, tinting, frosting and shaping. Their rates are far from expensive, and the atmosphere here makes it a pleasant place to get your hair styled, cut or anything else needed in hair treatment.
For the ladies, there is also manicuring, and permanent waving is featured. You will find sanitation is stressed far beyond requirements of any status.
So, if you want to look your finest, and give your hair the best in treatment, among friendly, clean surroundings, call Clara B. Wiant for an appointment.
We, the writers of this 1983 Ohio Historical Review recommend Modernette Beauty Shoppe to all of our readers who want professional personized hair care.
Logan Daily News of January 2, 1964

THE MYSTERY OF THE CROY – SKINNER – LONGTRENTH CEMETERYBy Kay Wilson, Historical So. Genealogist and Military expert 740...
09/02/2026

THE MYSTERY OF THE CROY – SKINNER – LONGTRENTH CEMETERY
By Kay Wilson, Historical So. Genealogist and Military expert 740-385-6204 Aug. 31, 2026
Doing Cemetery research is often very easy, other times it is so confusing. Skinner cemetery, in Starr Township is very complex.
As many of you know, I am trying to organize all the old cemetery records for Hocking County. Our goal is to put them all on a database for easy reference for all. There are several lists of cemeteries; and different names on them. One example is the Croy – Skinner, Skinner-Croy, Skinner -Longstreth Cemetery, and some lists list them each as separate cemeteries.
Also, if you know of any forgotten family cemeteries, I am very interested in adding them to the information.
(On the internet “People Legacy” has it listed as Skinner Croy Cemetery and states it has 22 burials. Also, it is also known as Croy Cemetery. The Latitudes: 39.466699, Longitude: - 82.25622.
The earlies burial was in 1844 for Catherine Mitchell, and an Infant Son Cole less than 2 months old. The last burials were for Allie McDivitt and Margery Duffy in 1869.
Yet another list has Croy Cemetery ½ miles north of Union Furnace. And Skinner Cemetery 1/8 mile north of Union Furnace, that would put the Croy Cemetery approximately on the top of the “Old Presbyterian Church Farm hill.”)
On “CoPilot Search” online it has it listed as the Skinner Cemetery, Croy Cemetery, and the Longstreth Cemetery, is located in Starr Township, and situated in Section 25 of Starr Township, about “1/2” mile north of Union Furnace on the east side of St. Rt. 328. The coordinates match the ones listed above.)
In the 2012 Hocking County Road Atlas, the cemetery is only known as Skinner Cemetery in section 24 Starr Township. Enclosed you will find a copy of the 1873 Starr township map of section 24. The one for Skinners is in the correct area.
Jim Skinner agreed with Louise Duffy, after his father (C.W. Skinner) bought the farm from about 1948 - 1950, it was called the Skinner Cemetery. It had previously been called Longstreth Cemetery. J.D. Longstreth family were the earlier landowners.
Both Jim and Louise remembered there had been many additional graves coming toward the road of St. Rt. 328. At one time sheep had pastured in the area, so many stones were down and gone.
The following list of burials found in that cemetery, it was done on April 9, 1971, by Bob Redd.
NAMES DIED AGE
Bennet, Betsy 1839
Botts, James P.A. 10 Sept. 1847 12 yr, 6 mo. 11 da
Botts, John 9 Sept. 1847 12 yr, 6 mo. 10 da
Cole, Infant Son 12 Apr. 1844 1 mo. 2 da
Croy, Mattias 5 July, 1843 4 yr, 3 mo.
Duffy, Daniel 29, Apr. 1869 67, 2 mo. 9 da
Fox Asa 13 Aug. 1964 43 yrs
Harper, Calvary M. 14 Sept. 1848 21 yr, 10 mo. 11 da
Harper, Loiza 12, Sept. 1848 21 yr 20 mo. 9 da
Ingmire, Margaret 22 Apr. 1849 83 yr
Ingmire, Martha 30 Aug, 1848 51 yr
Ingmire, Thomas 10 July, 1960 63 yr
Kriebel, Jaccob 21 Sept. 1868 1 yr, 7 mo.
Loomis, Jesse H. Rev. 1859
Lottridge, John W. 21 May, 1846 8 mo.
Matheny, Martha 12 Apr. 1849 91 yr, 11 mo. 27 da
McDivitt, Allie 26 Aug. 1869 2 mo. 15 da
Mitchell, Catherine 10 Sept. 1844 21 yr, 5 mo. 26 da
Mitchell, Joanna 28 Oct. 1844 1 yr, 9 mo. 1 da
Purdum, Emma 11 Apr. 1860 3 mo. 11 da

ANOTHER FOUND LIST HAD 2 ADDITIONAL NAMES
Bennet, Jacob 1861
Pedrum, Mary 1850

1876 Hocking County Atlas

U DO IT LAUNDROMAT – Alice G. and Raymond E. Keirns – OwnersFound in the OHIO Historical Review Printed in 1983 U DO IT ...
09/01/2026

U DO IT LAUNDROMAT – Alice G. and Raymond E. Keirns – Owners
Found in the OHIO Historical Review Printed in 1983
U DO IT Laundromat, located at 146 South Market, in Logan, Ohio, phone 385-9976 provides excellent laundry services for families of this section.
The self-service laundry is fully equipped to give you the very best of service, with machines in good repair, drying service, and supplies. The Attendants are courteous, and very helpful. Present customers of this laundry always return because they appreciate all the conveniences offered here. Their list of regulars is steadily increasing, due to their business policy of treating their customers well, under all circumstances.
The U DO IT Laundromat features the best in Westinghouse machines and one 50-pound washer for rugs and conveniently opens at 6 a.m., seven days a week.
In this 1983 Ohio Historical Review, (Featuring Fairfield and Hocking Counties) we the compliers highly recommend the U DO IT Laundromat to all of our many readers.
The advertisements are from 1965 Logan Daily News.

THE OLD CANALThe Ohio Democrat of May 1, 1896It Brings Forth Hot Words Again in the Council Chamber. The health officer ...
08/30/2026

THE OLD CANAL
The Ohio Democrat of May 1, 1896
It Brings Forth Hot Words Again in the Council Chamber.
The health officer Dr. A.K. Smith appeared before the council Tuesday evening and reported the old canal in very bad shape speaking from a sanitary standpoint. He recommended that the culverts under the different street crossings should be lowered so that a live stream should run through the ditch, as it is the water backs up and becomes very filthy.
The matter brought out hot words from some of the councilmen because of the board of health coming to the council with their complaints, when they were a body in themselves, created by the laws of the state, and it was their business to act in whatever way they chose, and the matter referred back to them.
What should be done is to use that $4,000 yet remaining in the storm sewage fund and run a drain sewer down the bed of the canal, and that would dispense with all the howls about odious smells.

NOTE:
Stagnant water in old canal beds becomes a breeding ground for disease and produces foul odors because it lacks the oxygen and flow that healthy water systems have. In flowing water, wind, waves, and circulation replenish oxygen and keep organic matter suspended, preventing harmful buildup. In a dead-end canal, water sits still, allowing debris like leaves, grass clippings, fish waste, and sediment to accumulate on the bottom. As well as nearby neighbors often using the canal beds to empty their chamber pots.
Internet photo

A Preview of The Last Canal Boat and August Meeting RecapAugust Public Meeting Attendance at the Hocking County H...
08/28/2026

A Preview of The Last Canal Boat and August Meeting Recap
August Public Meeting
Attendance at the Hocking County Historical Society’s August public meeting was strong. President Chuck Eaton opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, followed by updates from Vice President Nyla Vollmer.
Hunter Street safety: After another vehicle traveling from Zanesville Avenue struck the fence, repairs were completed and the city installed three reflective signs on Hunter Street opposite the intersection.
Carriage House display: The Hocking County jail door is now installed, giving visitors an opportunity to take photos behind the jail bars.
Recent Donations
Joyce Mayo donated historic items from her grandparents’ farm, including hand tools, part of a milking machine, barrels, horse harnesses, feed bags, and a St. Clair’s milk bottle.
Sarah adn Ed Johnson donated a surveyor’s transit in its original case and 2 large crocks.
Kevin Michel gave a generous donation of LHS yearbooks. Duplicate copies of volumes from 1913 to the end of 1970s are available for $5 each and may be viewed on Saturdays from 1–4 p.m.

Open Door Project
The society will participate in the Ohio History Connection’s “Open Door Project” on Sunday, September 13, from 1–4 p.m. Cindy Coss will demonstrate Dutch oven cooking in the rear parking lot, and the museum will be open for tours. Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Volunteers are always needed: The society welcomes help with flower care, light cleaning and maintenance, office tasks, and docent duties.
Also, anyone wanting assistance with any Cemetery info or military information can reach Kay Wilson at 740 385-6204

THE PROGRAM
According to musical writer and composer Jeff Cristler, the opening scene of The Last Canal Boat takes place at Sheep Pen Lock. Jeff and his wife, Cathy, shared a preview of the production, which will be presented at the Logan Theater on October 2nd and 3rd at 7 p.m. and October 4th (Sunday) at 2 p.m.
From Concept to Full Production
The project began as a way to support restoration work at the Logan Theater. After a few scenes generated interest in 2018, four more scenes were created in 2022. Encouraged by public response, the Crislers expanded the musical into a completed two-act production with 18 scenes.

Set in 1870, the musical follows a young girl who dreams of becoming a canal boat operator. To ground the story in history, the Crislers researched period newspapers from nearby counties and incorporated authentic accounts of the Hocking Valley and its people.
Through performers of different ages, the production explores life lessons and challenges of the era, how the canal opened this area up to trade and transportation, including history on Morgan’s Raiders’ presence in the region, tensions between canal workers and railroad workers, and the effect of weather on canal operations.
Reserve tickets can be purchased on LoganTheater.org, the entire production, including intermission will last approximately 2 hours. General admission for adults is around $12, Kids $6, and Seniors $10. So, this is very affordable for family fun and entertainment.
Many of the actors are Logan people or from nearby towns. You may recognize many stars.

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY – Let’s venture out of Hocking County for once. Undated and unsigned. There were five million ...
08/27/2026

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY – Let’s venture out of Hocking County for once. Undated and unsigned.
There were five million unemployed in the depression of 1921 – 1922.
On March 4, 1789, George Washington Became President.
In 1789, John Adams became Vice President.
The Civil War ended in 1865.
The top N**i leaders were tried and convicted at the city of Nuremberg.
Harvey in 1628 discovered ow the circulation of the blood worked.
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in the year 1876.
McCormick invented his horse-drawn reaping machine in 1834.
Augustine Washington, wife of George Washington, died in 1743, at the age of 49.
Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vt. In the year 1805 – died in the year 1841. He was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Samuel f. Smith was born at Boston in the year 1808 – died 1895. American poet and clergyman Author of the great poem “America” which has become one of the country’s national hymns. (An American Baptist minister, author, and journalist, best known for composing the lyrics to My Country 'Tis of Thee, which he titled, America.)
An Indian Rhinoceros weighs from 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. The word rhinoceros in Latin means nose horned.
In 1806, David Nelville of Newport lit his house with gas.
Betsy Ross, was born in Philadelphia 1752, died 1836. She made the first (stars and stripes) American Flag in 1776.
Lake Erie was discovered by Louis Joliet, a French explorer and trader, in 1669.
In 1669 – 70, La Salle discovered the Ohio River while on a canoe trip.
On October 9, 1781, General Cornwallis and his English troops of about 8,000 men surrendered to Washington at Yorktown bringing to close the Revolutionary War.
On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth.
Photo is of Samuel F. Smith,

HOCKING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOICETY’S MONTHLY MEETINGAug. 19, 2026Thursday August 27th at 7 p.m. Special guest speakers ar...
08/26/2026

HOCKING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOICETY’S MONTHLY MEETING
Aug. 19, 2026
Thursday August 27th at 7 p.m. Special guest speakers are the creators of "THE LAST CANAL BOAT"
Jeff and Kathy Crisler will speak at the Hocking County Historical Society’s August public meeting about The Last Canal Boat, their original musical supporting local history and the Logan Theater’s reconstruction.
Public meeting: Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m., 64 N. Culver St., Logan. Open to all.
The musical tells how the historic Hocking Canal fueled population growth, trade, and Logan’s early prosperity.
About the Crislers
Logan residents Jeff and Kathy Crisler share a love of music, writing, and storytelling. Their commitment to local history, community, and the arts inspired THE LAST CANAL BOAT, their original musical about the Hocking Canal.
Through writing and music, the Crislers preserve stories, share memories, and celebrate their community. They also contribute occasional “We Bought the Farm” stories to the Logan Daily News and Hocking Hills Messenger.
The Crislers live on a farm outside Logan, raising blueberries and chickens and caring for dogs Toby and Meg. They have two children and six grandchildren and enjoy travel, reading, and performing with the Logan Community Band; Jeff also plays with the Hocking Valley Community Orchestra.

How the Musical Began
Jeff and Kathy Cristler began the musical in 2019 to support the Logan Theater renovation. Scene previews in 2021 and 2022 drew enthusiastic audiences eager for the full story.
They completed the historically researched musical, then waited four years for the renovation. The production features original music and a live pit orchestra.
Performance Details
• Dates: October 2–4
• Location: Logan Theater main stage
• Times: Friday–Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
• Tickets: Reserved seating through the theater

Story and Setting
The Last Canal Boat is a family-friendly historical musical set along the Hocking Canal in the late 1800s. An aging canal worker recalls the families who relied on Ohio’s canals, including spirited Abigail “Abby” Fletcher, who dreams of becoming a canal boat captain.
As Abby grows up with her friend Tommy, original music, humor, and heartfelt storytelling highlight canal families’ resilience, the Hocking Canal’s economic importance, and the waterways’ decline as railroads rise.
Inspired by Hocking Valley people, The Last Canal Boat honors Ohio’s canal heritage and the courage to pursue a dream.

FIVE WASHINGTON TWP. SCHOOLS UNDER THE HAMMERLogan Daily News of January 15, 1937 Public sale of five Washington Townshi...
08/26/2026

FIVE WASHINGTON TWP. SCHOOLS UNDER THE HAMMER
Logan Daily News of January 15, 1937
Public sale of five Washington Township one-room schools, held Saturday afternoon at the Islesboro School, drew a crowd of nearly 100 people. All five of the schools offered were sold at prices ranging from $35 to $155.
The only instance where land and building were both sold was at Ewing School where the Starr-Washington Board of Education had a clear title. Disputes arose concerning all the rest and the school board played safe by selling only the buildings.
BLACKJACK SELLS FIRST
Six schools were originally scheduled for sale, but investigation showed that both land and building at Olve Branch School were to revert on its abandonment, to the owner of the farm where the school is located. Asbury Riggs of Logan is the present owner of the farm. Lumber of the school, as well as the land, was donated to the township by his father when the school was built.
First school placed on the block was the well-known Blackjack, located in the western part of the township on Old Man’s Cave Road. Bidding was brisk, starting at $50, and finally ending with a bid of $115 by H.A. Conkle of Ewing.
EWING BRINGS $155
The second sale was that of Ewing School where both land and building were knocked down to Ralph Foltz on a bid of $155.
Goat Run School went to Virgil Home for $130. The old cannonball stove at Goat Run brought a price of $4, two outhouses brought $4.50 and $6, and a coalhouse went for $4.
Iles School was sold to Floyd Hunter for $35. Aurora (or Hardscrabble) went to Clarence Griffith, owner of the land on which it is located for the sum of $90.
ILESBORO SCHOOL SALE ON SATURDAY
Logan Daily News of January 16, 1964
Public sale of the former Islesboro school and grounds in Washington Twp. Will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in front of the Courthouse.
The Starr-Washington school board will meet in Superintendents James Frey’s office immediately after the sale to decide whether or not to accept any of the bids.
The map is of 1876 and shows the location (if not the names) of the one-room schools in the township.

08/25/2026

Westerman Inc is expanding its Bremen plan to add 210 jobs as part of a major state investment initiative. See link below ⬇️

📸 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette archive photo

SCHOOL HOUSE WILL BE MOVEDLogan Daily News of August 14, 1935ADDITION TO FALLS TOWNSHIP FACILITIES APPROVED BY BOARD ...
08/25/2026

SCHOOL HOUSE WILL BE MOVED
Logan Daily News of August 14, 1935
ADDITION TO FALLS TOWNSHIP FACILITIES APPROVED BY BOARD
With the project approved by the Industrial Relations Committee and the contract for the job awarded to Pete Clark at the special meeting of the Hocking Board of Education last night, operations for the removal of the abandoned Iles schoolhouse to the Hansel Addition in West Logan will commence soon according to Supt. J.W. Coleman.
Superintendent Coleman made a special trip to Columbus with the plans for the removal of the building which were drawn up by Ed Turner, local contractor, and approved by an architect to summit the Falls Twp. Problem before the Board of Industrial Relations. Upon securing their approval a special meeting of the Board of Education was called, and the contract was awarded to Clark.
The building is a three-room affair and to some extent will solve the school problem of the Falls twp. District, as the children of West Logan and surrounding rural communities will use the building.

18 NEW PITTSBURG PUPILS NOW ATTENDING SCHOOL
Logan Daily News of Oct. 20, 1939
OFFICIALS SEE POSSIBLE “BREAK” IN WARD TOWNSHIP STRIKE
A possible “break” in the school “strike” in the New Pittsburg district was seen Friday by officials who reported that 18 children are enow attending the Murray City school where they were assigned after the closure of the New Pittsburg School last year.
With an average daily attendance of 51, approximately 33 students of the district have not attended since the school started nearly six weeks ago. Many patrons of the district who have refused to send their children to Murray City School, contend that bad roads and insufficient clothing are the main factors involved.
An impartial committee conducted a survey of the district Thursday and planned a report to the county board of education at a special meeting Saturday night. The names of the committee members were not revealed.
A special meeting of the Murray City, Ward Rural and the Hocking County boards of education was held Wednesday night to seek a possible solution to the situation. County board members have stated that the problem is not within their jurisdiction. The State Department of Education issued an ultimatum several weeks ago, stating that no money will be furnished for the re-opining or operation of the new Pittsburg School under any circumstances.

NEW SCHOOL AT LAURELVILLE NOW OCCUPIED
Logan Daily News of January 10, 1956
First, second and third grade pupils Monday moved into the new $146,590 school building at Laurelville.
Construction was recently completed. Excavation for the foundation began on the first of March.
The new building, financed by a special bond issue approved by voters in June of 1954, includes six classrooms, a gymnasium-auditorium with stage, two locker rooms and a separate dressing room, a kitchen, toilets, clinic, storage room and two heater rooms.
The improvement is a one-floor plan. It is 230 feet, eight inches long and 67 feet, four inches wide. The two-level roof is 25 feet at the highest point.
Joseph Baker of Newark was architect for the addition. Dawson-Evans Co. of Columbus, Persha Electric Co. of Columbus, Geiger Brothers Co. of Logan and Theodore Johnson co. of Logan were the contractors.
James Frey, county superintendent of Schools, said today that Rockbridge hopes to have its new school building in use by Feb. 1. He added that South Bloomingville and Gibsonville projects will be finished sometime later.
These improvements are all part of a West Hocking Building program financed by the $399,000 bond issue.

P.S. I have not found out yet where the Iles Schoolhouse was located previously.
Photos: The Rockbridge School built 1912 - 1914. The new addition at South Bloomingville Elementary.

Address

64 N Culver Street
Logan, OH
43138

Opening Hours

Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

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