History of Crestline, OH

ADAM HOWARD HOUSE CRESTLINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 400 SCOTT STREET CRESTLINE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CRESTLINE FIRST UNITED METHODIST Galion History Continued

Galion’s Big Four Depot on North Washington Street was dedicated in 1900. It served as division headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis railroad, commonly called the Big Four. Peak passenger usage occurred during and after World War I when 32 trains stopped here daily. Railway Express serviced as many as 20 trains a day into the 1950s, and Galion became a “whistle stop” for presidential campaigns with speeches from the train platform from such candidates as Al Smith in 1928, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, and Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon in 1952. In 1929 the New York Central acquired the Big Four, which moved the division headquarters west to Bellefontaine in Logan County. The ticket office remained opened until 1964, but all railroad offices closed in 1969. The Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Five years ago, a community pavilion was constructed next to the Big Four Depot and is available for events, art displays, and live performances. The project was funded with a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission. The pavilion represents the first step in a multi-phase project to restore the depot. Leading this effort is Galion Depot, Inc., a non-profit board formed in August 2015, comprised of representatives from the Galion History Center, Preserving Galion, Friends of the Big Four Depot, the City of Galion, and additional community members. Its purpose is to preserve, restore, and rehabilitate the Galion Big Four Depot and to instruct the public on the community’s rich railroad and industrial heritage.

HISTORY OF CRESTLINE, OH

The quaint village of Crestline was established in 1858 and is best known for being a railroad town. Over the years, the trains brought businesses and people to the village, including past U.S. Presidents. Throughout World War II, village residents helped to feed over a million soldiers traveling through by train. The two railroad lines continue to form a crossroads linking America.

There is a great deal to see and do in Crestline; the homes and buildings themselves are rich in historical significance. The town’s history is captured marvelously at the Crestline Historical Museum, located at 400 Scott St. The museum is open the first and third full weekend of each month. The volunteers at the Crestline Historical Society share the following message:

“This family-oriented community offers festivals, parades, music concerts, church and family events, and youth sports. Enjoy the parks, schools, library, public pool, numerous churches, diners, shops, [and] Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center… Keep up to date on community events through local newspapers and Crestline Facebook pages, such as Crestline Community Development Team and Crestline Ohio Historical Society.”