Stories that Move You

When we think about the Underground Railroad, our minds often go to secret tunnels, hidden rooms, and whispered passwords. The reality was both less romantic and far more dangerous. For those seeking freedom, Toledo wasn’t just another stop along the way. It was the final threshold. Beyond Toledo lay Lake Erie. Beyond Lake Erie lay Canada. And beyond Canada lay freedom that American law refused to grant. In the 19th century, Toledo stood on the razor’s edge between slavery an

For those who appreciate the story behind Waterville’s iconic Interurban Trolley Bridge , also known as the Ohio Electric Railroad Bridge, you’ll enjoy this deep dive into its fascinating history and current status. The piece was written by local historian and author Carroll McCune and originally published by BG Independent News .

The David Dows and boat unloading cargo at Toledo's Union Railroad grain elevator in 1882. The city of Toledo, situated at the western end of Lake Erie on the Maumee River, has long been a pivotal node in the Great Lakes shipping network. From the canal era of the nineteenth century through the age of iron-hulled freighters and the advent of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Toledo’s port has stood at the crossroads of inland and international trade. Its story is one of innovation, r

I had the honor of speaking to the Toledo Rotary Club about two of my favorite projects—my books Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo Before You Die . In this talk, I shared some of the fascinating stories, hidden gems, and surprising bits of Toledo history that inspired these works, along with a few behind-the-scenes moments from my research and writing process. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Toledo enthusiasts and history lovers, and I’m

This article originally appeared in the April 25, 1856, edition of The Toledo Blade and offers a remarkably vivid portrait of the Middle Grounds at a transformative moment in Toledo’s history. Its rich descriptions of the landscape and the ambitious railroad works underway at the time provide a rare, first-hand look at the city's rapid industrial and infrastructural growth. I recently discovered this article in my research into Toledo’s past and have carefully transcribed it

Of course, you’re thinking, “Henry Ford picked Detroit over Toledo?” Nope — not that Ford. The title is a playful tease. This post is about Edward Ford, not Henry. In 1907, glass magnate Edward Ford was ready to make his mark by constructing a grand headquarters. Considering his busy plate glass plant was less than a mile upriver, Toledo seemed like a natural fit — until skyrocketing land prices scared him off. According to Ford, as soon as Toledo’s developers discovered he w

Long before Toledo earned its name, before the rumble of streetcars and the hum of glass making filled the air, there were just two scrappy settlements clinging to the muddy banks of the Maumee River: Port Lawrence to the south, and Vistula to the north. These weren't booming towns—more like hopeful outposts carved from the wilderness, built by people who saw potential in the swampy lowlands and river access. But for all their ambition, they were little more than neighbors

Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral Collingwood Boulevard—the Avenue of Churches. That nickname has deep roots in Toledo history and speaks volumes about the city’s architectural and religious legacy. The story begins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a period of rapid growth and civic ambition in Toledo. As the city expanded westward, Collingwood emerged as a prominent north-south thoroughfare, stretching from the downtown core into what was t

Image courtesy of the United States Department of Energy. Local history author Joe Boyle had just finished his talk at a Walinsky History...