History of Tiffin, Ohio, USA

1854 - Tiffin
Tiffin, a thriving town of Clinton town ship, capital of Seneca county, Ohio, on the E. bank of Sandusky river, and at the junction of the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad with the Sandusky and Indiana railroad, 180 miles N. N. E. from Cincinnati, and 83 miles S. W. from Sandusky city. It is situated on level ground, and is compactly built. Besides the county buildings, it contains 8 churches, 1 bank, and 1 iron foundry. Four newspapers are published here. Tiffin is surrounded by a rich and well cultivated district. Laid out in 1821. Population, in 1853, about 4000.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1869 - In Tiffin, Ohio, the other day a little boy placed his mouth over a teakettle of boiling water, tipped it up and filled his mouth with the hot water, a portion of which he swallowed. His death resulted in a few days after the occurrence.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 18, 1869

1872 - DISASTROUS CONFLAGRATION AT TIFFIN, OHIO.
TIffin, Ohio, April 13th - A fire broke out in M. O'NEAL'S store, in the western part of the town this morning, and the building, which was a large two-story frame, was soon in flames. A heavy gale, blowing from the southwest gave rise to serious apprehensions for the safety of the entire city. The wind carried the burning brands to a great distance, and within thirty minutes houses at least a half a mile away from where the fire originated were in flames. The progress of the fire was so rapid that it was difficult to remove furniture or other effects from its path, and within two hours devastation was complete. Over sixty buildings were totally destroyed, including houses, barns, stores, saloons, a stove factory and a portion of the railroad building. The main portion of the city was untouched. The loss was large, but it is as yet impossible to ascertain the amount - no lives were lost.
Daily Democrat
Sedalia, Missouri
April 14, 1872

1882 - The National Machinery Company moved from Cleveland to Tiffin in 1882.

1887 - TERRIBLE SMASH-UP ON THE BALTIMORE & OHIO ROAD.
TIFFIN, O., January 4. - The fast train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, at an early hours this morning, collided with an East-bound freight near this city, wrecking both trains. Nineteen bodies have been taken from the wreck; more are injured. Three coaches are burned. Physicians have gone to the scene from here. The weather is very cold, the thermometer about 10 degrees below zero.

PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER.
The fast train on the Baltimore & Ohio, which left New York about 9 o'clock yesterday for Chicago with five coaches and four sleepers, all well-filled with passengers, collided with an Eastern-bound freight seven miles east of this city, about 4 o'clock this morning. The fast train was about fifty minutes late and was running at the rate of sixty miles an hour. Passing Republic, a small station, like a flash, they rushed along to the curve one mile west of the town, when suddenly the engineer saw the freight train, under full headway within one hundred yards of him. He at ... Read MORE...

1887 - Nothing Slow About This Girl.
Celia Forbing, of Kenton, O., was walking through the new court-house at Tiffin with some young friends. Suddenly she stepped up to the marriage record and dared any young man present to take out the papers and make her his. The challenge was accepted by a young man of the party and the know twas tied at Fostoria the same night.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
August 27, 1887

1888 - In the Blanchard and Sandusky rivers at Findlay and Tiffin, O, high water had on the 27th driven many families from their homes.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 31, 1888

1888 - On the 27th John Virts was driving along the river road at Tiffin O., with his sister, when the horse jumped over a thirty-foot embankment, instantly killing them all.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 1, 1888

1889 - Tiffin Glass Works began in 1889.

1906 - Webster Industries, Inc. moved from Chicago to Tiffin in 1906.

1906
Tiffin, a city, the capital of Seneca co., Ohio, is situated on the Sandusky River, 40 miles SE. of Toledo, on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis and other railroads. It is the seat of Heidelberg University (Re formed), which was organised in 1850, and of the College of Ursuline Sisters. It contains manufactures of carriages, agricultural implements, woollen goods, well-drilling machinery, emery-wheels, pottery, glass, box-board and paper, etc. Pop. in 1900, 10,989.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1913 - In the spring of 1913, the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys were ravaged by one of the most devastating floods in the region's history.
Among those communities which suffered the consequences of that flood was Tiffin, located on the Sandusky River in northwest Ohio. During that three-day period, Tiffin sustained more than $1,000,000 in property loss, 46 houses and 2 factories swept away, 10 factories damaged, 69 places of business heavily damaged, 6 bridges within the corporate limits destroyed, and—worst of all—19 lives lost.
wikipedia.org

1913 - BIG FOUR TRAIN GOES INTO DITCH.
SPREADING RAILS THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT NEAR TIFFIN, OHIO.
THIRTY HURT, THREE FATALLY - BIG ENGINE OF THE LATEST TYPE, PULLING A TRAIN OF TWO PASSENGER COACHES AND A COMBINATION CAR, SAID TO HAVE BEEN TOO MUCH FOR THE TRACK - NAMES OF THOSE SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES.

Tiffin, O., Oct. 20. - An attempt to move a train pulled by a big engine of the latest type over the rails of the Big Four division, between Berwick and Sandusky, caused a wreck in which three persons were injured fatally and 25 others were hurt. Rails spread under the weight of the locomotive, and the train, consisting of two passenger coaches and a combination baggage and day coach, went into the ditch.
The worst injured was JAMES O'BRIAN, foreman of molders at the National Machinery company, Tiffin. His spine was wrenched and he sustained internal injuries.

J. W. SPRAGZINGER, superintendent of the National Machinery company, was cut on the head and also suffered internal injuries.
G. A. DAY, fireman, of... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Tiffin:
Tiffin Glass Museum: Start your exploration by diving into the town's history at the Tiffin Glass Museum. Learn about the rich glass-making heritage of Tiffin and see some exquisite glass pieces.

Seneca County Museum: For a broader historical perspective, check out the Seneca County Museum. It provides insights into the county's past, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the region.

Hedges-Boyer Park: If you're into outdoor activities, Hedges-Boyer Park is the place to be. It's got walking trails, sports facilities, and a beautiful pond. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon or some recreational fun.

Tiffin Historic Trust Walking Tour: Take a self-guided walking tour of Tiffin's historic sites. Stroll through the charming streets and explore the unique architecture of this town.

Tiffin Art Guild: Art enthusiasts should stop by the Tiffin Art Guild. It often hosts exhibitions and events showcasing local talent. It's a great place to appreciate and support the ... Read MORE...