A History of Minerva Park, 1895-1992, by Vernon
Pack, historian.A History of Minerva Park, 1895-1992, by Vernon
Pack, historian.
This decade saw the deeding to
the Village of valuable Reserves, the organization of the Minerva Park Rose
Club, the creation of the Fire Department, the acceptance of Hawthorne Elementary
School and the founding of the Minerva Park Women's Club.
Chester E. Metcalf
was sworn in as the Village's third mayor on January 1, 1950. An important
event occurred in 1953 when Carleton Berry and DeVere Kerr sold several
Reserves to the Village for the original purchase price of $7,500; by then
the going price was $25,000. Most residents since that time are probably
unaware of those two men's vision and generosity in preserving those areas.
Two of the Reserves constitute the Park's two scenic lakes.
Since 1940 the Village had relied upon Columbus and Westerville for fire protection. Sometimes the equipment was slow in responding which led Herm Groezinger to suggest that his 1929 Model A Ford fire truck be used by the community. He had bought it as a hobby. Herm and his brother-in-law had spent many hours polishing painting, and scraping the wooden ladders and refinishing the truck. Its bumpers and hand rails were re-chromed and the instruments bronzed.
Herm Groezinger suggested
his 1929 Model A Ford fire truck be used by the community. Herm and his
brother-in law had spent many hours polishing, painting,and scraping the
wooden ladders and refinishing the truck.
Ordinance #58 was passed on September 12, 1957 "...creating, establishing and regulating a volunteer fire department for Minerva Park." Groezinger's truck became the nucleus of equipment for the Park.
Norman Bauermeister, a Columbus fireman and Park resident, became the division's first professional chief. Training was quickly implemented. Phil Graves remembers how it required three men to hold the hose when the old pumper was sending water into the lake as part of the training for prospective volunteer fireman.
The recruits experienced occasional interesting incidents. Certainly one of the most memorable concerned the time a volunteer was bounced off the fire truck as it raced over the railroad tracks; the unfortunate man had a hard time catching up with the vehicle.
One major problem for the firemen was not having a place in which to store the fire truck. At the October 10, 1957 Village Council meeting Groezinger was a delegate who urged the construction of a community building. The Council responded by appropriating $5,000.
Harold C. Stout was sworn in as mayor on January 1, 1956. He appointed a Community Building Committee whose members were Herm Groezinger, William Pierson, Glenn McCalla, Walt Boyd, Richard Fogo and Fred Wright. The site selected was part of the original Reserve "D." Work progressed slowly throughout the winter. A contractor was hired. Some residents donated materials and labor. For example, Caesar Cacciatore and Norman Bauermeister helped to build the fireplace. Gid Mussio made the grate of solid steel bars. Ernie Limes assisted in installing the plumbing.
The first significant money - making event for the fire division was the sponsoring in 1958 of a spaghetti dinner. The recipe was provided by Chuck Zollinger, the owner of Jim Chuck's.
An important event in the Village's history occurred on November 2, 1958 when the Community Building had its open house. Hugo Wenzel, who had been installed as the Village's fifth mayor on January 1 of that year,presided over the ceremony. Judge Roscoe Walcutt was on hand to officiate in the dedication. Music was provided by the Minerva-Hawthorne Mothersingers. A plaque was installed on the outside portion of the garage. For the next four years, the Village Council held its meetings in the garage, as did the members of the Women's Cub and other groups. It was necessary, though, to move the fire truck outside to provide adequate space for meetings!
In February 1959, volunteer firemen donated a car equipped with an inhalator, a resuscitator and an aspirator to the Village. It was purchased from the departments social fund. In addition, the newly formed Women's Club bought life-saving equipment. Norm Bauermeister, as chief, had as his assistant Herm Groezinger. The three lieutenants were Bernard Butler, Walt Boyd and Ralph Santilli.
The Village paid Groezinger $1 for the truck. One early training incident is often recalled. Without any warning being given, the chief and Groezinger started a fire in an old car donated by Vincent DeFelice; the site was the golf course's parking lot.
By May, the volunteer firemen were operating as an emergency squad. In December 1959, a new emergency vehicle was purchased for about $4,000. One incident of the late 1950s involved Bob Caley, a Village resident. He soared in his glider onto the Hawthorne School field. The emergency squad members were certain that someone had crashed!
During this decade, the marshal's car was equipped with a siren and emergency light. The marshal was required to attend Village Council meetings where he would present his division's monthly activities. By June 1950 the Village could boast having 70 homes.
The Village Council in 1951 increased garbage and trash rates from $70 to $75 per month. During the next four years, there would be eight more increases! The fee became an even $200 in November 1955.
Around 1955, the sewerage treatment plant could not prevent waste going onto the golf course. Franklin County authorities implemented certain modifications; Park officials continued to operate the plant.
After the November 1950 election, subsequent ones would be held at the Minerva Park School bus garage. Walter Holmes was contracted to remove snow throughout the Village for a fee of $15.
A July 27, 1950 ordinance gave the Village the right to lease certain Reserves. An historic day was June 17, 1953 when the Village officially signed the deed for Reserves "C" (the north lake), "O" (the large lake) and "G."
The Minerva Park Women's Club was organized on January 21, 1958. Its objectives were "... to help equip the new community building, to promote good feeling among the residents of the community, to assist the firemen and to assist on activities." Co-chairmen of the organizational meeting were Mrs. Robert Pinar and Mrs. Robert Frolich. Libby Pinar became the first president, Mrs. Harold Trumbull the first secretary and Mrs. Ivan Gorill the club's first treasurer.
In May, the club members conducted a census of the Park; the blanks were distributed by Cub Scouts. In June the club sponsored the Bicycle Safety Course that the Franklin County Sheriffs Department gave to children. The Women's Club bought four dozen ash trays for the new building. The club realized a profit of $89 from is sponsorship of the play, "No Time For Sergeants." Marty Fletcher was in charge of selling the tickets. The play was performed inside the huge tent at the Playhouse on the Green a short distance north of Worthington.
The first community-wide Fourth of July celebration involving the Women's Club was staged in 1958. Chairing that event were Mr. & Mrs. Earl M. Miller and Mr. & Mrs. Ernest limes. Jacque Petrie directed the parade.
The Women's Club sponsored forty-five projects during 1958! These included a square dance, a style show, the Holiday Dance for teens and junior high school youth as well as Santa for the small children. A bowling team was started with 22 members, Carmen Wolfe being the coordinator.
Also sponsored were the teenage Red Cross pilot project, a Welcome Committee, bridge lessons, a leathercraft class, the thrift shop and the flea market. Various donations were made to the Community Building, the Fire Department and to other worthy causes. Laurie Lane made the arrangements for Village residents to enjoy the services of the Westerville Public Library's bookmobile.
The Minerva Park Rose Club was organized on April 30,1954. The first president was Mrs. C. W. Umpleby. Richard Meyer, a landscape developer, was the club's first vice-president. "The object of this society is to study, foster and encourage rose culture in any practical way in Minerva Park." At its second meeting on May 22, it was decided to limit membership to 50; dues were set at $1 per individuaL By the February 1955 meeting, there were 43 paid members.
The first couple of meetings were held at the Minerva Park School. The rental there was so high the organization decided to rotate meetings among members' homes on the third Friday of each month. The club's first banquet was held jointly with the Columbus Iris Society on February 8, 1955.
The Meyers opened their garden to the public on June 27, 1955. Such tours would become quite popular with several gardens being shown each year. Various tours, away from the Park, were enjoyed by its members. An example of this was the September 19,1955 trip to the Columbus Park of Roses. The club sent one or more delegates each month to that magnificent park to help Judge the 25 best roses.
Rose Club members in October 1955 planted daffodils at the Minerva Park entrances; the club paid for 300 bulbs. One of the advantages of belonging to the club was the discount offered for orders of fertilizer and peat moss. On March 23, 1956, members participated in the Rose Rally at the Ohio Fairgrounds' Youth Center. President Ruth Hicks that same year represented the club at the Ohio Penitentiary's new Rose Garden.
In 1957, an attractive program book was
presented to all members. Its cover was decorated with a red rose painted
and donated by Eileen Laird. The tour of Kingswood Center and Gardens was
a 1959 highlight for members. Other club presidents during the 1950s were
Richard Meyer, Ruth Hicks, Ralph Smith, Eileen Laird and George Stick
Libby Pinar organized the Cub &outs about 1956. They met at her home. One of their activities was conducting newspaper drives. One of the Brownie leaders was Mary Williams
Sledding on be slopes of the Mzerva Park Golf Course was a popular
activity for Park youngsters in the 1950s, and remained so for decades to
come.
.
A momentous action took place in April 1955. The Westerville Board of Education accepted the Blendon Township Local District. The $500,000 school bond issue was passed in November by a vote of 1,763 to 900. This provided the necessary money to build Hawthorne Elementary School.
Named for the American literary hero, Hawthorne Elementary School was accepted by the board on January 2, 1958. The combined September enrollment at the two schools was 544 pupils. Mrs. Helen Slack assumed the duties in September 1953 of principal at the Minerva Park School. Upon the completion of Hawthorne, she became the principal of both schools.
In 1950, Herm Groezinger leased the golf course from his father-in-law. Arriving at that time to stay as a pro for many years was Bob Jones; Herm also gave lessons. The course was redesigned in 1954 as the three holes east of the tracks became a part of the main course. During 1959, a land swap took place in which the Village acquired the treatment plant site along the south edge of the golf course.
Significant cleaning of the lakes took place in 1954 in what proved to be an extremely wet season. The problem of debris and algae would continue to require the attention of volunteers during the following decades. Many residents were perplexed by the green appearance from duck weed; actually, it helped the ecology.
Trees and brambles were removed from the island near the golf course parking lot in 1957. Sodding was the initial step taken to make that an attractive site.
The historical text and photos reproduced here are used with the permission of the author. The graphics contained in this web site were produced by the copyright holder.
Rick Lakin, rlakin@home.com