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...

Toledo's history is filled with stories of industrial growth and the struggles that accompanied it. One particularly tumultuous chapter...

Here is a cache of photographs to go along with our Ketcham Family Series on the Glass City Chronicles.

The Anthem That Defines the Glass City Joe Murphy Toledo is a city with a rich history and a vibrant cultural identity. One of the most...

This profile of Emma J. Ashley is from my 2023 Wine, Women, and Song tour at Woodlawn Cemetery & Arboretum. Sadly, I've failed to find a...

The ethnic heritage of East Toledo originated with French-Canadian families like the Navarres early on and later a prominent French...

Illustration of the June 16, 1806 total solar eclipse by sixteen-year-old Samuel Mosely, dated May 28, 1817. From the Middlebury College...

Marion and Ella Auther in front of the Royal Breeze Hotel at Woodland Park, Michigan. Each February, Toledo comes alive with educational...

Imagine it's early November 1908. You are a member of the Toledo Laundry Workers union, the first laundry workers union organized in the...

In the heartland of America, no rivalry stands as iconic as that between Ohio State and Michigan. But to the uninitiated, it might seem...

HolyToledoHistory.com was incredibly honored to learn we were selected as Favorite Blogger in the 2023 M Living Readers’ Choice Awards....

Greetings, fearless adventurers and thrill-seekers! Are you ready to embark on a journey through the spine-tingling corners of Lucas...

Today, we know the Friendly Center, located at the corner of Superior and Magnolia Streets in the Vistula Historic District, as a local...