Area History

Woodlawn's Forgotten Purpose: Toledo's Memorial to the Unknown Dead of the Civil War

The handsome Civil War Monument in Section 41 of Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum has an interesting history. In fact, the memorial almost didn't make it to Woodlawn. Today, most visitors know the monument simply as the G.A.R. Civil War Monument or Civil War Soldiers' Monument. Rising 65 feet above the surrounding graves, the granite memorial is one of the cemetery's most recognizable landmarks. Yet a review of contemporary newspaper accounts reveals that the monument's origin

Tedd Long

Jun 126 min read

What Happened in St. Louis Didn't Stay in St. Louis — It Came to Cedar Point

The Mercury statue standing near the Valravn Gate is one of Cedar Point's oldest and most overlooked treasures. George A. Boeckling — the visionary who transformed Cedar Point from a quiet beach resort into a world-class amusement destination — purchased Mercury and several other statues and urns at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, bringing a piece of that grand exposition back to the shores of Lake Erie. You've probably caught a glimpse of Cedar Point while passing over t

Tedd Long

Jun 64 min read

Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo

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

Tedd Long

Aug 15, 20251 min read