As our members have been visiting this area in Ohio,especially with our continuous visits to Prospect Place, we decided to share some history and information about this area with our readers. On our last few visits to Prospect Place, we began to venture the back roads as well as the surrounding villages, and this is what we have found so far, which we feel may be of interest to our readers.. Of note: Ohio became a "state" of the union on November,24, 1803. Brief Early History of Dresden,Ohio: Initially said to have been a settlement inhabited by the Delaware Native Americans. This settlement was located on, or near to the Wakatomika Creek, which ran into the Muskingum River. During the war of 1794, otherwise known as "Lord Dunmore's War",the village was then taken over and converted as a "White settlement". In 1801, Major Jonathan Cass brought his family to the area and soon after laid out the town of Dresden,Ohio. The village then became an important trading stop within the 19th century. Areas of interest: A} Union School--1882 B} Triple Locks of the Ohio-Erie Canal C} Episcopal Church(built by G.W.Adams)--1852 D} Metal link suspension bridge -- 1914 E} Dresden Presbyterian Church -- 1819-1919 F} Popeye's Soda Shop Union School-now Longaberger University: Speaking among the locals during our visit we were told this history of the old school: One of the Longaberger boys attended school here and it is said that he failed third grade a couple of times, due to an undiagnosed sight condition. After Union School had closed it's doors, Mr. Longaberger decided to purchase the property of his once attended school and reopened this building for students with minor learning disabilities. Upon recent visit (April 19,07), the property looks to be strong in structure, although not used everyday and a bit overgrown with bush-weeds. Popeye's Soda Shop: Group members stopped in for lunch and found ourselves walking back in time, sort to speak. Dave Longaberger opened Popeye's in 1963 with only $135. Mr. Longaberger was unable to afford buying his goods through the "suppliers" and would instead drive to the local grocery and would buy just what was needed to serve lunch. After the lunch hours, Mr Longaberger would then tally up the monies and supplies from lunch and would return to the corner grocery to purchase goods for dinner. Bud Hall, who operated a business in Zanesville, was approached by Mr. Longaberger in regards to joining up together. Mr. Hall then recommended to Mr. Longaberger that he join the Ohio State Restaurant Association. He did so and learned much from these members also. The restaurant at that time was named "Midway Dairy Bar" but customers continually referred to the Dairy Bar as "Popeye's",{Popeye was Mr. Longaberger's nickname}and thus the name stuck. Mr. Longaberger sold the restaurant in 1981 to help finance his basket business. In May 1990, Popeye's Soda Shop reopened in its current location, 416 Main St. The "History of Dresden" Vase The vase stands seven feet high and depicts four main stages in the history of Dresden. These stages include the canal days, the railroad, suspension bridge and weaving of the baskets. Vase is located on 9th and Main,in the park. Brief Early History of Trinway, Ohio: Trinway,Ohio,was originally named as "Dresden Junction", and you can still see signs and references to this era of time within the village. This area came across this title due to the fact that it was located at the point where the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroads conjoined with the Stuebenville and Indiana Railroads. Areas of interest: A} Old Trinway School-- 1878 B} Trinway Methodist Church--1868 C} Cochran House--1862 D) Prospect Place--1856 *************************************************************** Many Thanks to the entire village of Dresden/Trinway for their open minds and recommendations!! |
| Dresden - Trinway, Ohio |