Media

by Bob Coupland, Reporter

MECCA — Wanting to have a historical society like neighboring communities do, residents in Mecca started one this year.

Dan Gladd, president of the new Mecca Historical Society, said the idea of the township having a historical society has been discussed for the past couple years.

“Many of us are from local families who have been in the township for generations. We feel it is important to preserve the local history for future generations,” he said.

Gladd said Mecca is the only township in Trumbull County that is divided by Mosquito Lake, so the society has historical information from residents who lived on the west side or the east side of the body of water.

Among the first things society members plan to do is to meet with the older residents and record their histories and knowledge of the township.

Gladd said he attended a veterans program at Maplewood High School and remembers the stories and information shared by local residents.

“The veterans and other residents have so much to share on Mecca’s history. They can tell you what happened from World War II,” Gladd said.

Gladd said he’s learned local history he previously didn’t know, including that the property he lives on was once a cheese factory.

While the society has been meeting for a few months, they have discussed plans for the future.

Gladd said one goal is to have display cases at the fire department moved to the township hall to display historical society items.

“Right now, we are in the early stages. We are discussing ideas,” he said.

Resident Wanda Tolley, who is president of the Trumbull County Genealogical Society, said she was excited to have the Mecca Historical Society established.

She said there have been seven people who have met at recent meetings.

Tolley said with the exception of Vernon, most other neighboring communities have historical societies.

“I love history and working on family genealogies. There are so many unique things about Mecca,” Tolley said.

She said she agrees with members that interviews with older township residents need to be done to record the stories and information of the township and the families who lived there.

“So many people are still living here that have so much history to share. Our goal is to get it recorded,” Tolley said.

Tolley said she would like to have guest speakers attend future meetings and also hold fundraisers in the fall.

Mecca fire Chief Tom Domes, vice president of the society, said members of his family as well as relatives of Gladd worked to establish the department in the late 1950s.

“There is a group of us who have talked for a while about getting a historical society established. I grew up in Mecca. There is a lot of history here, including when Mosquito Lake was put in,” he said.

The society meets 6 p.m. the third Thursday of month in the township trustee meeting room.

by The Seeing Eye
Community News

HISTORICAL SOCIETY PLANS CAR SHOW: The Mecca Township Historical Society will host a Memorial Day car show 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Maplewood High School, 2414 Greenville Road NE. Registration information is on the historical society’s Facebook page. The event will include a food truck, Mecca Fire Department fill a boot, and Mosquito Lake Chase 5K and one-mile fun run.

by Bob Coupland

MECCA — A newly formed historical group is hoping to expand and become like other societies throughout Trumbull County.

The Mecca Historical Society is in its first year and members want to increase membership and plan more community events.

President Dan Gladd said the society hosted a car show and basket raffle at Maplewood High School, which allowed the members to showcase historical items the society has compiled since it launched.

Gladd said the society uses the township hall for showcasing items and plans to discuss future events. The society meets every other month at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday.

“We are showcasing items that let people see the basic account of the township’s history. Mosquito Lake is a big part of Mecca’s history and part of the display,” Gladd said.

Gladd said Mecca is the only township in Trumbull County that is divided by Mosquito Lake, so the society has historical information from residents who lived on the west side or the east side of the lake.

In addition to books and documents, there also are family pictures, Maplewood High School yearbooks and artifacts.

Tami Morrison, who serves as the society’s secretary / treasurer, said the goal is to get the historical society’s name out to the public.

“We want to preserve Mecca’s history and have items here for the next generation. We want to preserve our history around the township’s founding, the schools and the lake. It is important to maintain that history and not have it lost,” Morrison said.

Morrison said membership is $10 annually, but the public is welcome to attend any meeting or event.

“Right now we are getting our feet off the ground and getting displays together and gathering what we can,” she said.

Morrison said there are two lifetime honorary members — Tom Kachur, who wrote a book about Mecca, and Mary Letwen.

“I have wanted to have an historical society for years,” said society trustee Wanda Tolley. “We are blessed because we have young members involved. For too long, we were one of two townships that did not have a historical society.”

Tolley said with the exception of Vernon, most other townships have historical societies that are not only active in their communities, but participate in other events, such as the Trumbull County Fair.

Among the first things society members plan to do is meet with the older residents and record their histories and knowledge of the township.

Gladd said many residents are from families who have been in the township for generations.

Gladd said his father, Thomas Gladd, was a former trustee and Tolley’s father was a former fire chief for Mecca, so they have information on the township.

“We are now keeping the history going,” Gladd said.

For information, visit meccatownshiphistoricalsociety.com.