Paulding County to celebrate bicentennial

KIM SUTTON, JANE NICE & MELINDA KRICK/for the Van Wert independent

PAULDING — Paulding County Bicentennial Committee members are counting down the final days and hours of the year as they get ready to welcome 2020. The new year is even more eagerly anticipated than usual because it will mark the 200th birthday of Paulding County.

The Bicentennial Committee, through the Paulding County Board of Commissioners’ office, has been making plans to help celebrate this milestone over the next 12 months. One project is being undertaken by three local history buffs and authors — a series of articles exploring the rich and varied past of the land within our borders.

“The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know,” said President Harry S. Truman. Learn something new every other week starting January 1 about topics such as what Paulding County was like in 1820, canals, railroads, timber industry, ghost towns, one-room schools, the county fair, special visitors, and epic events.

The topics have been carefully chosen to explain the county’s development and growth, and their impact on its settlers and communities. New research by the writers will add some additional detail and depth for readers.

One of those surprising facts is that Paulding County has two founding dates.

The county was established by the Ohio Legislature in 1820; however, residents here didn’t observe a centennial in 1920 but a sesquicentennial was held in 1970.

Early settlement was slow, so the sparsely settled county didn’t become self-governing until 1839; a huge three-day centennial celebration was held in 1939, with a local newspaper reporting 20,000 people attended the event.

The 1939 centennial generated much excitement and enthusiasm. One paper, in boosting the plans, reminded residents: “It will be the only 100th birthday party we will be able to attend in person. When the next one comes … we wonder if those living then will think enough of the occasion to celebrate it.”

The “Centennial Celebration and Homecoming” was billed as a countywide event organized by committees and individuals from all parts of the county working together. They invited all to attend, saying “We are proud of our county and our hearts are warm and friendly towards you all.”

Residents are still proud of their county and look forward to commemorating its 200th birthday. The Bicentennial Committee hopes everyone will enjoy the article series throughout 2020.

More information on the bicentennial can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PauldingCounty200. Look for the official bicentennial logo, featuring the courthouse dome and the bicentennial slogan, as people “Celebrate Paulding County” — past, present and future.

Next week: What was Paulding County like in 1820?