I worked with a guy who said he loved grilling out — another co-worker quipped, which part do you like best: the gnats or the smoke? In some ways the same line of logic applies to a fair. You have the aroma of livestock barns melded with the smell of deep-fried food.
But somehow — just like grilling — it works.
Here are a few scenes from the last day of the 2014 Ohio State Fair or you can view Flickr Ohio State Fair Gallery here.
Some say the Brubaker Bridge, located just outside of Gratis, Ohio is haunted.
The first time I rode across a covered bridge in Preble County as a kid, I was mesmerized by the idea. Of course, little did I realize then just what a trademark they were for the county.
Warnke Bridge, Lewisburg, Ohio.
Six of the county’s eight covered bridges still in existence were built by E.S. Sherman in the late 1800s — who used the somewhat antiquated Childs truss patent for the structures. In fact, only one bridge was ever built out of Preble County with a Childs truss — and that one was also built by E.S. Sherman. Of these Sherman-built bridges five are still in operation. The sixth one has been restored and placed inside the community park in Lewisburg.
Roberts Bridge, Eaton, Ohio.
Roberts Bridge was restored after vandals set it on fire in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The incident led to the restoration of all the county’s covered the bridges with efforts to make them flame resistant.
Built in 1829, Roberts Bridge is Ohio’s oldest covered bridge — and the second oldest double-barrel (two lane) covered bridge in the United States. The bridge is no longer in use and spans Seven Mile Creek in Eaton, just a few blocks off of U.S. 127 on the south end of town.
One of the bridges, the Brubaker Bridge, lands on various haunted lists. The claim is a group of teens in the 1930s crash their vehicle through the side of the bridge (it is built on a curve) and their bodies were not discovered for several days. Now they haunt the structure.
Several events are held throughout the year to celebrate the county’s unique heritage. One of the most popular events is the Bridges, Bikes and Blues event hosted by the Preble County Historical Society. The all-day event attracts bikers from throughout the Tri-State area. The PCHS also published a map brochure of all the county’s bridges which individuals can use for self tours.
In 2012, the county unveiled its eighth covered bridge. The Burr Arch design bridge — a truss style patented in 1804 — is located at Hueston Woods state park. It is the first covered bridge to be built in the county for more than 100 years and is designed with walkways so pedestrians can also enjoy the view.
Restored covered bridge located in Lewisburg’s community park.
An Amphicar cruises in St. Mary’s Lake during the 2014 Lake Festival in Celina, Ohio.
Lake Festival in Celina, Ohio is a free event that has a fair-like quality to it — with plenty of deep-fried food — and is held on the banks of St. Mary’s Lake each year in July. This year’s event was held July 25-27, and included the Friday evening ‘Splash Inn’ where Amphicars from California, Michigan to Ohio drove down a wooden dock, splashing into boat mode before navigating through an tunnel and out onto St. Mary’s Lake. | View Photos
Since relatively few cars made it into the U.S. only a handful of the cars are at the event (maybe 15) which is why the event is extra special because it is one of the few times you will see an Amphicar — especially one operating in boat mode.
Between 1961 and 1967 slightly more than 3,000 of the vehicles were imported into the United States. The vehicle’s model number 770 comes from the fact that the car can do 7 knots on water and 70 mph on land. This was accomplished with a 43-hp Triumph engine.
Amphicars hold the distinction of being the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass produced.
Presidential Favorite
President Lyndon B. Johnson owned a Lagoon Blue version and used the vehicle to prank an unsuspecting passenger by telling the passenger that the brakes weren’t working as he ‘crashed’ the car into a lake.
To learn more about the Amphicar visit:
Amphicars: This is an enthusiast site and offers recent news, history of the vehicle, links to vehicles for sale and upcoming events associated with the Amphicar.
The International Amphicar Owners Club: Click on this link to find upcoming ‘swim-ins’ across the United States.
eBay: Occassionally a few will be listed for sale on the eBay Motors website.
Blue In The Red Zone Old Newspapers
National Archives
Charlie R. Claywell 