Sep 19

Wapakoneta Murals

Wapakoneta, the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, has several murals in and around town.

Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was born on a farm near Wapakoneta (aka Wapak) and the town celebrates Armstrong and his accomplishments.

About three miles east of Wapakoneta, on the north side of US 33 and visible when traveling west, is a giant mural of the moon and Armstrong in a space suit.

Armstrong mural by John Cerney, 3 miles east of Wapakoneta, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

The mural is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, celebrated in 2019. The mural was created by California artist John Cerney in 2020 and is Ohio’s first Cerney mural. Cerney has created artwork in 28 states and Canada.  

There is a space and moon theme all throughout the town. On the east end of town, near I-75, is the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, a great place to visit, if you haven’t already. 

On the north side of Auglaize Street, near Lengerich Garden and the Downtown Parkway, is a gathering and walkway area that includes a seated statue of Neil Armstrong and a space mural.

Neil Armstrong mural, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Armstrong statue & mural, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Just down and across the street, there is a veterans’ memorial that also boasts a giant space helmet that literally reflects the historic downtown area.

Veterans’ Memorial, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Veterans’ Memorial, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

All around town they have cleverly disguised traffic utility boxes with moon and space-related paintings.

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

A mural that looks like an early 20th century postcard of downtown Wapak is mounted on the corner of Auglaize and Park Streets. It was installed by the Auglaize County Historical Society in 2024, the beginning of the Picture Yourself in Auglaize County project, funded by the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation and individual doners.

Mural, Wapakoneta, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

Another mural, Beauty of Diversity, on the corner of Auglaize and Willipie Streets, celebrates the arts along “Artist Avenue.”

“Beauty of Diversity,” Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Eight pieces of artwork are showcased below the mural. Note that the windows also have artwork. 

Artist Avenue, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Artist Avenue, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

In addition, the Wapakoneta Post Office has a mural inside the lobby. The mural, Wapakoneta and American History, was painted by Joseph Limarzi during the New Deal-era. The mural features Native Americans, men felling trees, and farmers feeding livestock.  

“Wapakoneta and American History,” Wapakoneta Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Mural signed Joseph Limarzi, Wapakoneta Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

The Wapakoneta Post Office was built with WPA labor and the mural was funded through commissions under the Federal Treasury Department’s section of Painting and Sculpture, to showcase the best possible art in post offices constructed between 1934 and 1943. 

Yet another local town with historic, beautiful murals.

 

 

Sep 16

Tombstone Tuesday-Christian Kable, A Man with 2 Tombstones

Christian Kable (Jr), St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, row 6. (2025 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Christian Kable (Jr), located in row 6 of St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Christian
son of
C. & D. Kable
Gest.
6 May 1866
Alter
24 J, 7 M, 9 T

Christian, son of C & D Kable, died 6 May 1866, age 24 years, 7 months, 9 days.

If all of this sounds familiar, that is because it should. Last week I featured the shared tombstone of the same Christian Kable (Jr) and his sister Anna Katharina Kable (1854-1860), located in row 5 of St. Paul Lutheran cemetery. Christian’s inscription is on the west side of their shared marker and Anna Katharina’s inscription is on the east side.

On the very next row of tombstones to the west, directly behind their shared marker, is another marker for the same Christian Kable (Jr). The inscription on Christian’s second tombstone is the same as the inscription on the shared marker.

You can see Christian’s other marker, behind the shared marker, to the left on the photo below. His sister Anna Katharina’s inscription is visible on this side of the shared marker and Christian’s inscription is on the reverse side.  

Christian Kable’s two tombstones, rows 5 & 6, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township. (2025 photo by Karen) 

Christian Kable was born 27 September 1841 in Fechingen, Germany, the son of Christian Kable (Sr) (1814-1885) and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable (1815-1904). Christian Kable (Jr) died 6 May 1866, at the age of 24 years, 7 months, and 9 days.

Christian (Sr) and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable had the following children:
Jacob (1840-1868), married Sophia Diener
Christian (1841-1866), not married
Louise (1841-1892), married John Alt
John (1843-1881), married Margaret Deitsch
Philip W (Sr) (1850-1915), married Caroline Koch
Anna “Katharine” (1854-1860)

There was probably a good reason that Christian Kable (Jr) has two markers in the cemetery, but we will probably never know what it was.  

Sep 12

Celina’s Murals

Celina, the county seat of Mercer County, Ohio, has a couple murals on buildings around town.

“Greetings from Celina”  looks like a large post card that highlights Celina and Grand Lake, a recreational and tourist destination. The mural is located on the corner of Main and Warren Streets.  Grand Lake is on the south end of town and extends eastward, all the way to St. Marys. This mural was painted by Wrenway Creations, LLC. 

Celina, Ohio, Mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

There is a patriotic mural on the west side of Celina’s VFW Post 5713 Eichar DeCurtins, painted by artist Caylah Cole.

Patriotic mural on Celina VFW Post 5713. (2025 photo by Karen)

Patriotic mural on Celina VFW Post 5713. (2025 photo by Karen)

Not murals, but the names of past businesses are still visible on downtown buildings.

Lininger Bros. Big Bargains, Celina, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

Roemers Reliable Clothing, Celina, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

There is a large banner in Celina’s Walmart. It is not a mural, but looks like one.

Banner in Celina Walmart (2025 photo by Karen)

And Celina has Nelson, a giant 3D Bigfoot structure at the Mercer County Fairgrounds.  

Nelson, Mercer County Fairgrounds. (2025 photo by Karen)

Nelson was built during the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers. Nelson is the second of his kind by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers. You can get an idea of his large size by noting the people standing on the right side of the photo and the tractor in front.  

Sep 09

Tombstone Tuesday-Christian and Anna Katharina Kable

Christian Kable (Jr), St. Paul Lutheran Liberty Twp Cemetery (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Christian Kable and his sister Anna Katharina Kable, located in row 5 of St. Paul Lutheran Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The shared marker is inscribed:

CHRISTIAN
sohn von
C. & D. Kable
Gest.
6 May 1866
Alter
24 J, 7 M, 9 T
ANNA
KATHARINA
Dau of
C. & D. Kable
Died
26 Jun 1860
Aged
6 Y, 4 M, 23 D

Christian, son of C & D Kable, died 6 May 1866, age 24 years, 7 months, 9 days.

Anna Katharina’s inscription is on the east side of the marker and Christian’s inscription is on the west side.

Anna Katharine Kable, St. Paul Lutheran Liberty Township Cemetery (2023 photo by Karen)

Christian Kable was born 27 September 1841 in Fechingen, Germany, and his sister Anna Katharina Kable was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on 3 February 1854, as calculated from her tombstone and 1855 as recorded in St. Paul’s records.  They were the children of Christian Kable (Sr) (1814-1885) and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable (1815-1904). [1]

Christian Kable (Sr) and his wife and four young children immigrated to America in 1846. They settled in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, and attended St. Paul Lutheran Church, Liberty Township,

The Christian Kable family, enumerated in the 1850 census: Christian, 38; Theresia, 63 [sic]; Jacob, 10; Christian, 8; Louisa, 8; John, 7; Philip, 7 months. [2] Christian was a farmer.

The Christian Kable family in 1860: Christian, 47; Dorothea, 46; Jacob, 20; Christian, 19; Louisa, 19; John, 16; Philip W, 12; and Katharine, 5. [3]

Anna Katharina Kable died 26 June 1860, aged 6 years, 4 months, and 23 days.

Her older brother Christian Kable (Jr) died 6 May 1866, at the age of 24 years, 7 months, and 9 days.

Christian (Jr) and Anna Katharina Kable had the following siblings:
Jacob (1840-1868), married Sophia Diener
Louise (1841-1892), married John Alt
John (1843-1881), married Margaret Deitsch
Philip W (Sr) (1850-1915), married Caroline Koch

[1] Familienbuch, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, Christian Kable family, p. 24.

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.287A, dwelling 19, family 20, Christian Kablea [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.356, dwelling 971, family 976, Christ Kable; Ancestry.com.

 

Sep 05

Historic Murals in Coldwater, Ohio

Today, a look at historic murals in the village of Coldwater, Ohio, located in west central Mercer County. This village has a rich industrial history and has several murals around town.

Coldwater was originally named Buzzard’s Glory, named after David Buzzard, the owner of a general store. The village was incorporated as Coldwater in 1883.

Coldwater’s historic mural was completed in July 2013, for the town’s 175th Anniversary.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural. (photo by Karen)

It is mounted on the east side of the High School and is visible when driving through town on State Route 118.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural (2025 photo by Karen)

The artist was the late Dan Keyes of New Bremen, with Patrick Keyes and Barbara Tompary. Dan painted several historic murals in other local towns.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural, artist Dan Keyes. ( photo by Karen)

This mural shows individuals who played a part in Coldwater’s history, local landmarks, and past Coldwater industries. 

Left side of Coldwater’s mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

Right side of Coldwater’s mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

The plaque in front of the mural:

Plaque in front of Coldwater’s historic mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

In recognition of those who came before us; to those who first tread Coldwater Creek; who basked in Buzzard’s Glory and brought with them a village…to those who call themselves…
“THE CAVALIERS”
The First Settlers – The Shopkeepers – David Buzzard – Weamer Bros Butter Tub – Wooden Corn Silo
The Farmers – Buckeye Overalls – Hemmelgarn Eggs – Pet Milk – New Idea Manure Spreader
Holy Trinity Church – The Old Methodist Church – The Queen Fire Department – The Ministers
The United States Armed Forces; WWI – The Nickel Plate Railroad – The Veterans of American Legion
Coldwater High School – Championship Band and Sports – Ralph Weigel, Major Leaguer
The Gazebo in Memorial Park – Old Pet Smokestack – The Old Coldwater High School
Old City Hall – First Coldwater Hospital – The People’s Bank
The Sisters of Mercy – The Knights of Columbus – The Police – Marshall Spain James and “Von”
Donated by the Desch/Sowar Family Foundation
Artist: Dan Keyes

Details are cleverly tucked into the painting.

Close-up: Weamer Bros, Pet Milk, Hemmelgarn Eggs, Buckeye Overalls (2025 photo by Karen)

Close-up: New Idea manure spreader. (2025 photo by Karen)

Dan and Patrick Keyes painted another mural in Coldwater in 2014, on the side of a building in Memorial Park, as an “Arts in the Parks” project.

Mural by Dan Keyes in Coldwater’s Memorial Park. (2025 photo by Karen)

A patriotic mural adorns the shelter house at the Coldwater VFW Post 5135 Bailey-Shockman, painted by artist Caylah Cole. This was the first mural painted by Cole.  

Patriotic mural at VFW Post 5135 Bailey-Shockman, by artist Caylah Cole. (2025 photo by Karen)

Coldwater has another historic mural, but it is not an outdoor mural. This mural is located inside their Post Office. The Post Office was constructed in 1940 and is located at 101 East Main Street.

In an effort to make artwork accessible to all people, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Section of Painting and Sculpture allocated monies for art and sculptures in newly constructed post offices, those constructed between 1934 and 1943. The idea was to showcase the best possible art in those federal buildings.  During those years, which was during FDR’s New Deal, 71 post office projects were completed in Ohio. Over 1300 murals and 300 sculptures were commissioned nationwide. 

Coldwater’s Post Office mural was painted in 1942 by Joep Nicolas and is entitled “Coldwater Activities.” The canvas mural is in three sections and was glued to the west wall of the Post Office lobby in 1942. It was taken down and professionally restored in 2010.

Mural “Coldwater Activities,” 1942, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

The main theme of Coldwater’s Post Office mural shows the working class, with people picking cabbage, plowing with horses, a woman with a sheaf of grain, people carrying sacks of grain, and a mason building a brick structure. Birds fly with letters in their beaks.

Close-up: Left side of “Coldwater Activities” mural, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Close-up: Right side of “Coldwater Activities” mural, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Still another town with murals that tell their history.

Sources: Country Living, “Celebrated Art May Be as Close as Your Post Office,” Vol. 52, No. 4, Jan 2010, p.16. and The Daily Standard, Our Old Bookcase, “Coldwater Post Office History Remembered,” Joyce Alig, undated. And The Daily Standard, “Historic Mural to Get Expert Care,” 5 May 2010.