History Today Articles
In almost all cases the following articles were written by the late Carole Wilhelm and were published in various local newspapers.
The collection covers a wide range of topics and provides an interesting glimpse into Powell and Liberty Township's past.
The publication date is given when known and a 2025 date is used for articles when the publication date is unknown.
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Liberty park was once owned by Absalon and Susan Spohn, who bought about 100 acres of land in 1880. Residents who were interviewed on their youth in Powell reflect on their hardships as well as living through the great depression and WW2.
KeyWords
Liberty Park, Historical, Great depression, World War, Farm
Publication Date
1/1/0001
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The Holiday season gave many special memories to the Powell residents and children as they decorated trees. The author reminds everyone of the importance of documenting family history with scrapbooks and learning about older relatives lives.
KeyWords
Holiday, Christmas tree, Family history, scrapbooks, Historical
Publication Date
1/2/1995
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article describes the research done by Anne Bower on Ohio community cookbooks. Many collected recipes are over 100 years old, and give stories and information on communitys and family traditions. The article also highlights on how many Women used their skills to sell food and handicrafts to raise money during the Civil War.
KeyWords
Cookbooks, Community, Historical, Civil War
Publication Date
4/1/1996
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Craig Askins has an interest in restoring antique farm equipment and restored a grocery wagon that reminded him of one his uncle owned when he worked in the grocery and meat market business. The wagon will be on display at the 10th Annual Pancake Day
KeyWords
Craig Askins, Grocery Wagon, W. A. Craig, Pancake Day
Publication Date
4/22/1996
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Initially, the Powell Fire Department consisted of a small group of volunteers dedicated to battling local fires. With Powell's expansion, the department also grew, acquiring a fire truck for $9800 that served for 30 years.
KeyWords
Fire Truck, Ambulance, Historical
Publication Date
10/14/1996
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
George Hyland grew up in Powell and lived through many changes. He shared information with the Powell Historical Society on his ancestors and about his life in Powell.
KeyWords
Ancestors, George Hyland, Historical, The Great Depression
Publication Date
10/13/1997
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article describes the story behind the name of route 257 in Liberty Township. The state route is named after General Thaddeus Kosciusko as a reward by congress for his achievments during the Revolutionary War.
KeyWords
Revolutionary War, Historical, Polish culture
Publication Date
1/19/1998
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article highlights the progress and goals of the Powell Historical Society in 1998, 12 years since it was founded. The group planed to continue restoring the Martin-Perry home and interviewing more residents on their experience in Powell.
KeyWords
Historical Society, Restoration, community, donations
Publication Date
12/1/1998
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article includes information on donations the Powell historical society has recieved. Such as big newspaper headlines about famous historical events including Lincoln and Rooselvelts deaths.
KeyWords
Newspaper, Historical, Presidents day
Publication Date
2/10/1999
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The Deleware country fair took place in Powell until 1937. The land afterwards changed hands multiple times. Owners used the large land for horse racing and later for a motercycle and car track used by racing clubs and famous drivers.
KeyWords
Racing, Motercycle, Powell Arts festival
Publication Date
5/13/2000
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article describes the skills and contributions by the Case brothers to Powell: Theadore, Frank, Friend, and Sterne. The brothers were known for their craftmanship skills, and for the houses and carvings they made in Powell.
KeyWords
Carpentry, carving, building, Historical
Publication Date
8/9/2000
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Louise Cornish, a key figure in saving the Martin-Perry house and founding the Powell historical society, passed away on Dec. 1, 2000. As a direct descendant of the pilgrims and early Powell settlers, she felt it was important to preserve Powell history. This, along with her love of teaching, storytelling, family genealogy, and volunteering for the Delaware County Historical and Genealogical Society led to her saving the Martin-Perry House. Her daughters Jo Cornish-Gerwig and Janet Wartman worked on the society's newsletter and she wrote several articles covering people, land, and homes in the area and expressed her belief in the importance of passing down family stories.
KeyWords
Louise Cornish, Jo Cornish-Gerwig, Janet Wartman, Powell-Liberty Historical Society
Publication Date
1/10/2001
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The document highlights Delaware County's Arts Castle, offering art classes and event spaces. Also describing Garth's Auctions, a historic antique auction business known for its unique items and a national reach.
KeyWords
Auctions, Deleware County, Arts, event, historic
Publication Date
3/6/2001
Title
Author
Jo Cornish-Gerwig
Description
In these articles, individuals remembered their parents and grandparents life, recalling their own childhood memories and special moments. Looking back on the past helps many recover from grief.
KeyWords
Memories, History, Grandparents, Grief
Publication Date
9/1/2001
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
In 1949 Lucy Taggart recorded her memories for the Deleware Historical Society. She recalls her childhood homemade beds, and how they were made, using straw or oats inside the bed.
KeyWords
pioneer, old bed, straw, history
Publication Date
10/31/2001
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Powell native Dorotha Douglas recalls some of her fond childhood memories. These include Christmas ornaments made by her dad, her Christmas stocking and presents, her dolls, and witnessing people celebrating the end of World War I in St. Louis.
KeyWords
Dorotha Douglas, Frank Bayles, Childhood, Christmas
Publication Date
12/5/2001
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
1888-1891 insurance records researched and reviewed by volunteers Maggie Webb and Dee Tiberi reveal the Martin-Perry House was built by Timothy Colvin, the great-grandfather of Louise Cornish, who led the effort to save the house from demolition. In 1890, the house was insured for six-hundred dollars while household items including a pipe-organ and sewing machine were ensured for three-hundred dollars.
KeyWords
Maggie Webb, Dee Tiberi, Timothy Colvin, Albert Martin, Mary Martin, Louise Cornish, Martin-Perry House, Joe Cornish-Gerwig, Calista Hard,
Publication Date
11/1/2002
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Vintage Christmas toys from past childhoods have become surprisingly valuable, enjoyed by both collectors and individuals reconnecting with their own childhood memories. These old christmas gifts give a window into our history and the changes in popular Christmas toys.
KeyWords
Christmas, toys, gifts, childhood, memories, historical
Publication Date
12/5/2002
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The Powell historical society was able to help a family locate the graves of her parents, grandparents, aunt, and uncle. Their Grandfather had lived to 96, born in 1862. He was one of the first to ride the Hocking Valley Railroad train through Powell.
KeyWords
Historical, Ancestors, Mystery
Publication Date
7/3/2003
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Many individuals and small groups throughout the world have put time and effort into preserving historical buildings. These preserved buildings allow insight into our ancestors daily life and the impact they had on their community.
KeyWords
Historical, Preservation, Restoring
Publication Date
8/7/2003
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
With the help of the Powell historical society, a Florida resident researched his Ohio ancestors. This historical search into the past led to an unexpected discovery about their ancestors.
KeyWords
Ancestors, Richard Converse, Historical research, discovery
Publication Date
11/6/2003
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The Hall family were early settlers in the Powell region. The Halls were a large family and had a significant impact on Powell. The article provides further information on events during the Civil War and stories from past Powell residents.
KeyWords
Hall Family, Historical, Ancestors, Civil War
Publication Date
4/1/2004
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The writer helped her sister-in-law clean out her great aunt's home and learned about the family's history as she went through books and saved photos. Carole learned about the impressive accomplishments in music of the 103 year old Aunt Marie.
KeyWords
Music teacher, Family history, Historical
Publication Date
8/5/2004
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The area of Orange Township was briefly named Virgil for six days before settlers changed it to Orange in 1816. Luella Yarnell, a teacher who grew up in Orange, wrote "The History of Orange Township in Delaware County, Ohio", a book covering local history. Over its history, the borders of Orange have changed when land was given to Liberty, Columbus, and the Highbanks Metropolitan Park.
KeyWords
Orange Township, Virgil, Luella Yarnell, Clara McCammon, Judy Brozek, Richard Converse
Publication Date
10/7/2004
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Johnny Jones, writer for the Columbus evening dispatch from1940-1971, he often wrote of everyday life; sometimes mentioning Powell in his columns. Writing about old time sleigh rides in the Winter, and his predictions for the future.
KeyWords
Winter, Columnist, Liberty Township, Historical
Publication Date
3/3/2005
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Carole Wilhelm conveys a poem her mother wrote and shared for a mother-daughter church banquet about the joys and sacrifices of motherhood. The Powell-Liberty Historical Society carries on the tradition with an annual mother-daughter Victorian tea event serving a sample of traditional foods.
KeyWords
Elsie Fany Thiel Fritz, Tea, Motherhood, Mother and Daughter, Victorian
Publication Date
4/7/2005
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Cookbooks can reflect history and traditions as familys pass down their recipes and meals. The article describes the history of various collected cookbooks from past Powell residents.
KeyWords
Cookbooks, traditions, family, historical
Publication Date
1/1/2007
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The school often called "monument on the hill" was located across from Powell road. This was the school for grade 1-12 in Powell from 1911 to 1973. Previously there had been multiple small one-room schools.
KeyWords
School, Education, Historical
Publication Date
1/1/2007
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
In light of the coming Ken Burns WW II documentary, Charles Osgood publishes his memories of growing up during WW II. Growing up in Baltimore, he and his sister followed the war closely, and he recalls planting victory gardens and collecting scrap metal, along with his discovery and love of songs by Stephen Foster. In 1997, for the 50th anniversary of Powell's incorporation, Louise Cornish gave a story recalling a 1947 memorial day program honoring servicemen, the continued use of victory gardens, and the main sources of entertainment being from school, church, and lodge activities.
KeyWords
WW II, Charles Osgood, Louise Cornish, 1947, 1997
Publication Date
2/8/2007
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Village Academy, a private school, held a creative wax museum project for their fourth graders. Each student researched a famous Ohioan and dressed as that individual during their presentations. The students enjoyed visiting the Martin-Perry House multiple times.
KeyWords
Private School, Powell History, School, fourth grade. Students, famous
Publication Date
6/4/2009
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A resident of Powell, Mildred McNeal, was 97 when she passed away. She grew up in what is now known as the Martyn-Perry house, and is the Powell Historical Societys museum. Mildred was able to provide the society with many donations and historical information about Powell and her grandparents home.
KeyWords
Restoration, Donations, Historical
Publication Date
7/2/2009
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The amount of antique shops in Deleware county was quickly decreasing. However, Garth's Auction house remained. Holding bidding wars and providing information on items.
KeyWords
Antique shop, Auction, Stratford
Publication Date
9/3/2009
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A fruit farm once was 3 miles north of Worthington on U.S. route 23. A interview with the only daughter of the fruit farm owners, Molly Brown Caren was found by the author. The interview revealed historical information on the farm and its impact during the great depression. After Mollys death, the Farm Science Review was dedicated to her.
KeyWords
Fruit Farm, Great depression, Historical, Powell history
Publication Date
11/6/2009
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A letter from Silas Richards was written August 26, 1849 describing the extreme storms he encountered on his trip from Ohio to San Francisco by sea. To reach his goal of finding gold he went through rain, snow, sleet, waves, and extreme wind.(exact day unknown)
KeyWords
Gold Rush, California, Weather, Historical
Publication Date
8/1/2010
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The first Methodist society in Liberty Township, organized by a Rev. Emery in 1825, initially met in homes. Over the years, the Methodist presence grew in Powell (Middlebury), with the construction of Emery Chapel in 1840 and another church building on South Liberty Street in 1859. The Powell Church group continued to grow from the 1900s into the present day.
KeyWords
Church, Methodist, Historical, Ceremony
Publication Date
10/7/2010
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Many communities have gone from thriving to ghost towns in Ohio. If transportation wasn't reaching a town or recources were low, people would move for better jobs, leaving many towns abandoned.
KeyWords
Ghost Towns, Historical, Economy
Publication Date
10/28/2010
Title
Author
Marge Bennett
Description
The article describes the memories of Marge during Winter as a child in Powell. She recalled being pulled by cars while on sleds, and being able to skate if the lakes and rivers were thick enough.
KeyWords
Winter, Sledding, Historical
Publication Date
1/15/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
This article includes Lucy Knapp Taggert and Marge Bennets experiences during winter in Powell. Both individuals write about how winter affected their school days. Many interviewed residents favorite winter activities included sledding and skating.
KeyWords
Winter, School, Ice Skating, Sledding, Historical, Memories
Publication Date
1/15/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
In the February of 1950, the Powell PTA held an event honoring Jim Brown and Lester Grace, longtime employees at the Powell schoolhouse. Jim Brown worked as a school bus driver starting as a senior in 1911, taking up the position as his full time job until 1948, when he became the school custodian. Lester Grace began teaching in Powell in 1907; by 1950 he had taught about 500 students. Both were remembered fondly by students for their patience and kindness, and were given student made memory books, golden watches, and were treated to a women's and men's chorus during the event.
KeyWords
Jim Brown, Lester Grace, Jane Case Bohannon, Marjorie Wilcox, William Wilcox, Johnny Jones, Jean Kirkman, Mrs. Canfield, School Bus, PTA
Publication Date
3/3/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
As the Powell region was growing, historic buildings were at threat as houses were being razed for development. The society formed on August 7th, 1986. The groups first job was raising money to restore the Martin-Perry house. Today, the society continues to preserve the past and educate Powell residents.
KeyWords
Preservation, Historical, Restoration, volunteers
Publication Date
8/1/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The Powell Historical Society bought Liberty Townshp's first fire truck, a 1949 Chevrolet. LTFD firefighters helped the historical society restore the fire truck to its' original condition.
KeyWords
Firefighters, Fire Truck, Restoration, Historical
Publication Date
10/4/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
This article describes Hyatts history, starting in 1866, when Henry Hyatts sold lots for $80. There are many stories of early Hyatts residents enjoying baseball games and the Powell fair.
KeyWords
Hyatts, Historical, Baseball
Publication Date
10/10/2011
Title
Author
Sherry Carmichael
Description
A over 60 year Carmeichael family tradition is celebrated in the Fall. The family uses their recipe to make Apple Butter, and various deserts for a weekend event.
KeyWords
Apples, recipe, family tradition
Publication Date
11/11/2011
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
The article explores the story of Bill Schenck, a famous artist who grew up in Powell. Schenck became famous for his Western style of art. His art now appears in collections across the world.
KeyWords
Art, Historical, Western Movies
Publication Date
3/1/2012
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A look back at Eleanor Hawk and Jim Dixon's impact on the Powell-Liberty Historical Society. Eleanor Hawk was the first president of the Society and played a role in saving and restoring the Martin-Perry house. Jim Dixon was a direct descendant of the Martin family and donated photos, memorabilia, and personal stories such as one about his father's automobiles to the society.
KeyWords
Eleanor Hawk, Jim Dixon, Seth Case
Publication Date
2/28/2013
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
This article was written to gain stories from Powell residents on their past. Requesting 10-15 minute stories that give detail into what life was like in Powell. The historical society also hoped to gain more insight into the community, and individuals who were found inspirational in Powell.
KeyWords
Story, History, Community
Publication Date
8/3/2013
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A event called the Good OL' Days was held by the Powell historical society for family's to learn more about their ancestors. By using Dna and pedigree charts family's were able to find out about unknown relatives and more.
KeyWords
Historical, DNA, Ancestors
Publication Date
8/7/2014
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
On May 1st, 1801, Captain Nathan Carpenter settled the first white settlement in Liberty Township. He journeyed from a New York estate through Pittsburgh, and through the Ohio River. The article also gives information on some of the Powell Historical Society board members, and their early ancestors, some who were early settlers.
KeyWords
Ancestors, Settlers, Historical
Publication Date
1/1/2015
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
This article celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Powell Historical Societys founding and Martyn-Perry House restoration. Sharing Christmas stories of the homes descendants. (exact date of the article unknown)
KeyWords
Martyn-Perry House, Christmas, Historical Society
Publication Date
1/1/2015
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Historical society volunteers work on restoring the Martyn-Perry House garden to its original state. Many individuals donated plants and trees to plant in the yard. The donators had many fond memories behind their donated plants.
KeyWords
Gardening, Restoration, Historical, Donations
Publication Date
5/21/2015
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
In the 1960s newspapers were found in the walls of an original Hall House in Olentangy st. The newspapers dated from 1867 to 1892, including advertisements, foreign news, and local news.
KeyWords
advertisement, medicine, news, Columbus
Publication Date
9/24/2016
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A grandfather named Charles Tracey, recalled his serious illness. Charles and his wife Marie layed sick in the same bed for months. Many across America, including Marie didn't survive the 1918 epidemic.
KeyWords
Illness, epidemic,
Publication Date
7/16/2025
Title
Author
Jo Cornish-Gerwig
Description
Jo Cornish-Gerwig recalls her interest in genealogy, membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the unlikely yard sale discovery of a baby photo album that turned out to belong to a fellow DAR member. Actual publication date unknown.
KeyWords
Genealogy, Jo Cornish-Gerwig, Daughters of the American Revolution
Publication Date
8/6/2025
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
Virginia Hess, a past resident of Powell, writes in about she and her husband Gene's newly established scale equipment manufacturing business being converted to wartime manufacturing of B-29 parts. Publication date unknown.
KeyWords
Virginia Hess, WWII, B-29
Publication Date
8/6/2025
Title
Author
Carole Wilhelm
Description
A strong winter storm brought ice, sleet, and heavy snow to Delaware in 1978, forcing the closure of roads for days and bringing normal life to a standstill. Residents recall the harsh conditions and helping anyone in need of food, transportation, and shelter while snowed in. Original publication date unknown.
KeyWords
Luthella Morgan, Charley Lawrence, Sherry Carmichael, John Schuette, James Rhodes, Blizzard, Winter, Storm, Annabelle Dulin, Dale Huffman, Dan Huffman, Ron Jackson, Sue Jackson
Publication Date
8/13/2025