Why does the Griffith Memorial Arch in front of the University of Findlay Old Main have two different dates, 1882 and 1884?

The arch was originally constructed in 1923 in memory of Caddie Griffith, who earned a bachelor's degree in 1909 and a master's degree in 1910. She headed the Findlay College English department in 1914-16 and 1917-18. She went on to become dean of women at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where she died in February 1923. The arch was erected in her memory by her grieving family and the dedication ceremony was held November 18, 1923. Her father, F. H. Griffith was a member of the Findlay College Board of Trustees from 1909-1923.

I suspect that when the arch was inscribed, they used the date from the college's cornerstone, which said 1884. Construction began on the building in 1883, and a cornerstone ceremony was held May 25, 1884, when the masonry for the basement and the first floor was nearly completed.

Fast forward to 1990. The front lawn of Old Main was renovated during the summer of 1990, just one year after the institution changed its name to The University of Findlay. In addition to creating a new driveway, sidewalks and landscaping, Griffith Memorial Arch was disassembled and reconstructed 30 feet farther back from Main Street. The arch was originally constructed right at the sidewalk. As the institution had grown considerably, when graduates walked out through the arch at commencement, they and their families spilled out into Main Street, which created a hazard. Thus, it made sense to move the arch to a safer distance. Since the back of the arch was blank, the administration had it inscribed with "The University of Findlay" and flipped toward the street. This time, the date of 1882 was used because the State of Ohio signed the articles of incorporation on February 2, 1882. The first classes were held September 1, 1886.

And now you know the rest of the story!

Charlene J. Hankinson
Public Relations Officer
The University of Findlay

Wheelmen note: What brand ordinaries do you suppose were being ridden up and down Main Street during construction of the college?

Want to take a look at the logo for the 45th Annual Meet?

Click here for a new page with an on-line jigsaw puzzle for youngsters (no matter your age).
Note the (+) and (-) buttons in the upper right to zoom in and out.
Have fun!

Here is the T-shirt design for the Wheelmen 45th Annual Meet.

Where is the author of "Down by the Old Mill Stream" buried?

William Tell Taylor was a singer, songwriter, vaudeville actor, and a music publisher. He is best known for his sentimental song, "Down by the Old Mill Stream" in 1910. Taylor was born in rural Vanlue, Ohio, and began singing in church choirs at an early age, often being called upon to give performances in neighboring towns. Tell attended Findlay College, where he studied music, but the excitement of New York City enticed him to move there in the late 1890's. In 1901, after a performance at the Pan-American Expedition in Buffalo, New York, he was offered a position in Joe Howard's theatrical company, launching his vaudeville career. He was cast in several comedy productions with W. C. Fields, Sophie Tucker and Al Jolson and played the leading role in the Broadway musical comedies "In Panama" and "In New York Town" (1905-1906), for which he also wrote the musical score.

He would later establish the Tell Taylor Music Publishing House in Chicago, Illinois. In 1908, he wrote "Down by the Old Mill Stream" while fishing along the Blanchard River near the old Misamore Mill on a visit to his hometown in Ohio. It would be two years before the song was published and made popular by the vaudeville quartet, "The Orpheus Comedy Four".

Read more and see photos from the cemetery about 10 miles southeast of Findlay.

Would you like to take a leisurely drive along the old millstream? This page has driving directions for The Old Millstream Scenic Byway.

Wheelmen note: Yes, artistic license was used in the creation of the 2012 Annual Meet logo.