Our Old Bookcase
In 1976, the United States of America was celebrating its bicentennial. Mercer County celebrated this bicentennial with local and county events. At the conclusion of this bicentennial celebration, the request was made for a county history book.
The Mercer County commissioners met with Joyce Alig, president of the Mercer County Historical Society, and asked her to edit this Mercer County history book, with the agreement that they would financially support this book for the Mercer County government and the Mercer County schools. On Dec. 12, 1978, the commissioners passed Resolution 551, whereby, “It is necessary to transfer funds to Code A 13 b 1, General Fund, Education, Historical Society.” On that same date, the commissioners Ralph Dicke, Walter Schmiesing and Ralph Klosterman read minutes of the Dec. 8, 1978 meeting, whereby bills which had been filed and docketed in the Auditor’s Office, were presented and allowed. Two line items were listed: Mercer County Historical Society, for the county history book, and the Mercer County Historical Society to also include the local school superintendents history (the history of the schools in Mercer County.)
Joyce Alig edited this 1978 Mercer County History Book, with the copyright of the Library of Congress cataloging data. Mercer County Historical Society members volunteered with the many chapters in this 976 page book. The city of Celina and the villages of each township were included. The history of businesses, schools, churches and service organizations were included. Family histories were included in each of the townships. The first printing of 2,000 books was dated February 1980. The books sold out within the first week. The second printing was completed in September 1980.
The Mercer County Engineer’s Office provided an incredible about of research, with a current map of each of the 14 townships, marking each of the churches, schools and cemeteries in each township. For the last 40 years, hundreds of citizens have used these maps as they sought the locations and the names of the early churches, schools, and cemeteries.
In respect to the value of this 1978 Mercer County Ohio History Book, this is the “mostread, local history book,” and this book is the “most copied local history book, not only by villages, schools, churches, and families, but also students doing research” in Mercer County.
Since this is my 50th year serving as elected president of the Mercer County Historical Society, Inc., I thank each of you who took the time to acknowledge to me your appreciation for this tremendous effort in preserving Mercer County’s History, not only for this 1978 Mercer County history book, but also, for the 30 local history books I have edited for this county.
I was recently asked how much the county is paying me for my work with the Mercer County Historical Museum. The answer is “nothing.” In 2004, the Mercer County Commissioners ceased all funds to the Mercer County Historical Society, Inc. In 2004, the county also ceased their OPERS Position of Director of the Mercer County Historical Museum. The Mercer County commissioners own the museum building and fund the building and grounds maintenance. Thank the maintenance crew as they do excellent work at the county museum. Mercer County Commissioners work for Mercer County citizens.