Maumee, Ohio

Located in northwestern Ohio, Maumee boasts a long and storied history. For centuries, the Ottawa Indians and their predecessors called the territory home. Both French and British traders traveled the Maumee River in search of pelts, until the defeat of the Indian Confederacy at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 and the American victory in the War of 1812 secured the area for settlement. Maumee was platted in 1817. This exciting pictorial history traces the development of this fascinating city through more than 200 vintage images taken from the author's personal collection, and that of local collector Jack Hiles and many longtime residents. By the turn of the century, Maumee was typical of most small, Midwestern towns. Confirmations, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and family gatherings were standard rites of passage, and were thoroughly documented by local photographers. Holidays were good excuses for community parades, picnics, and programs, and these events were also captured on film. Citizens turned out to celebrate the town's Centennial in 1938, and the spectacular Sesquicentennial Fourth of July parade fifty years later. Also documented are the changing streetscapes from the early 1900s, to the "modernization" efforts of the 1950s and 60s, and finally, the restoration of the 80s and 90s. Read more