Sandusky Celebrated Ohio’s Sesquicentennial in 1953

A commemorative medal in honor of the state of Ohio’s Sesquicentennial is now in the historical collections of the Follett House Museum. Ohio State University professor of Fine Arts, Erwin F. Frey, designed the commemorative medal, which honored the state of Ohio’s 150 years of statehood.  On the front are several robed figures. Underneath the words 1803 Ohio Sesquicentennial 1953 are the words Farming, Manufacturing, Mining, and Merchandising. Along the bottom of the medal are the words: Agriculture, Education, and Industry. Underneath the robed figures are the terms: Readin’, Ritin’, “Rithmetic, a nod to the basics of education. On the back of the medal are pictured the statehouse of Ohio, the artist’s name, and several symbols representing items of importance to Ohio, including corn, grapes, pottery, an airplane, insects, and gears. Seventeen stars circling the outline of the state represent Ohio being the seventeenth state added to the United States.

Like many other communities in Ohio, Sandusky held several events to honor Ohio’s Sesquicentennial. Memorial Day programs highlighted the history of the state. On June 6, 1953, a time capsule was buried on the lawn of the Erie County Courthouse. This time capsule was opened on June 6, 2003, and its contents are now located at the Follett House Museum. This sheet music entitled “Ohio” is just one of the items included in the time capsule. Composer Franklin T. Shoop dedicated the music to the A Capella Choir of Sandusky High School.

On July 24, 1953, a street dance was held on the parking lot of the Erie County Courthouse; over 1500 people attended. 

The annual Sandusky Bay Regatta was known in 1953 as the Sandusky Bay Sesquicentennial Regatta.

The Erie County Industrial and Business Sesquicentennial Committee planned a mid-summer show at Cedar Point which featured historical exhibits of local businesses and organizations. The industrial and cultural display was presented in the Cedar Point Coliseum from July 1 to July 15, 1953, in recognition of the progress made in Sandusky, Erie County, and Ohio in the previous 150 years. Each day provided free entertainment at the Cedar Point Coliseum. Some of the attractions were the Port Clinton majorettes, trick shooters, dancers from the Kay Lutes studio, and the Williams accordion band. 

To read more about the many events held during Ohio’s Sesquicentennial, visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center, where the Sandusky Register from years past is now on microfilm.