Nov. 13
1884 – A giant explosion occurs at gunpowder plant in South Toledo near present-day Harvard School and Delaware Creek. The blast is so powerful that windows and walls of homes and businesses are cracked for miles around.
1888 – Northwest Ohio’s natural gas boom begins to fade after years of huge production.
1894 -A new Lamson’s department store opens at Huron and Jefferson.
1899 – Massive nitroglycerin explosion near Gibsonburg. Blast is felt for miles.
1940 – First Toledo-made Willys Jeep is field tested at Camp Holabird, Maryland.
1944 – Agents raid the newly opened gambling den, the El Rancho Club on Woodville Road near Millbury. It had been open only four days.
1947 – Major blaze fought by fire crews at Roanoke Hotel and Morton Storage in downtown Toledo on Superior Street.
1947 – The Toledo Sports Arena opens its doors for events, sports and concerts. It would remain open for nearly 60 years, but was demolished in 2007 to make way for the development of the riverfront area.
Nov. 14
1901 – A runaway horse on Summit St. crashes into a horse and buggy throwing that horse through a plate glass window of Harry Bower's saloon. The runaway horse was finally brought to a stop by a brave Toledo Policeman, Emmert Cairl, who grabbed the frightened and thrashing animal by the bit and held on for dear life
1913 – Ostrich plumes from the Toledo Zoo ostriches are on sale in the Nicholas Building for 25 cents to $2 in price.
1923 – The world renowned Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir performs at Toledo Coliseum.
1925 – Toledo residents mourn the passing of the city's most generous and prominent citizen. Glassmaker, industrialist and community benefactor, Edward Drummond Libbey dies of pneumonia at age 71.
1947 – Satirist and author PJ O’Rourke is born in Toledo. O'Rourke, son of an East Toledo car dealer, would write more than 20 books, five of them best sellers. He was also known for his role in the start up of National Lampoon magazine. O'Rouke passed away in February of 2022.
1953 – Toledo song writer Joe Murphy of the “Ice House Gang” dies at age of 86. Murphy wrote the popular "We're Strong For Toledo" in 1909.
1972 – Northeast gale force winds force Lake Erie waters into neighborhoods of Point Place, causing major flooding in the area. Hundreds evacuated by boat and taken to rescue shelters. Hundreds of homes in the area inundated in waters that are five feet deep.
Nov. 15
1902 – A campaign rolls out this week by Toledo Police to force "house of ill-fame owners to oust the 'colored' musicians that play piano in their resorts." Chief Knapp has told his men to let the madame's in the Tenderloin know they must get rid of these "colored professors" who hang out and play music in the prostitution houses.
1906 – It is noted by Toledo Public school officials that the autumn "nutting season" is underway when people gather nuts for the winter. As a result, school truancy rates are reported to be "alarming".
1932 – Major snowstorm of 12 to 15 inches hits area. Worst November storm on record.
1934 – A gang of eight bandits seize the small town of Cygnet in Wood County in a scheme to rob the local bank. They cut phone lines and shoot at residents and explode nitroglycerin to shake the town. The bandits fled, however, without getting the payroll cash inside the safe.
1952 – Northwest Ohio area is suffering worst drought in more than twenty years. Water has to be hauled in by truck to many towns.
Nov. 16
1916 – Voice actor Dawes Butler is born in Toledo. He became a Hollywood icon in cartoon production as the voices of Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, and Yogi Bear.
1920 – Mary Shaw becomes the city of Toledo’s first policewoman and warns that dancing cheek-to-cheek or flirting or doing the "toddle" will be outlawed in Toledo. Policing such behavior is one of her duties.
1925 – Baby is found abandoned in back seat of a car in front of a church on East Broadway.
1963 -Toledo Blade workers go on strike. Newspaper ceases publication.
Nov. 17
1895 – Wealthy women complain that not enough girls in Toledo are available for the domestic servant jobs. Most do not want these jobs, citing long hours and the "tyranny" of housewives. Average pay is $2.50 a week.
1933 – Pemberville farmer Leo Briggs shoots and wounds an American bald eagle that has been stealing his pigs. Eagle has a 7- foot wing span.
1959 – Near Wauseon, a westbound freight train collides with eastbound freight, killing one crewman and injuring four.
Nov. 18
1922 – Daring bank robbery is pulled off in Genoa at the local downtown bank by a gang of armed men. A Genoa druggist is shot to death as he crosses the street near the bank. The machine-gun toting bandits escape with large amount of cash and securities.
1925 – Another woman is badly injured in an attack by the “Toledo Slugger”. This attack occurs in the 800 block of Tecumseh Street. The victim survives, but city is in terror from the continuing attacks.
1948 – Toledo police motorcycle officer Albert Fadell killed in cycle crash near downtown.
1975 – Shocking Ottawa Hills murder when two elderly widows (mother and daughter) are beaten to death in their home and robbed. The crime is later solved with the arrest of the woman's son and daughter-in-law who are later convicted along with an accomplice.
Nov. 19
1906 – Toledo Police round up 30 "suspicious" persons after a recent burglary. They not only arrest those they believe committed the crime but also collar others who look like they might commit a crime. Most are sent to the workhouse for being "suspicious".
1924 – The barge “Toledo” sinks off Rattlesnake Island in Lake Erie in storm.
1920 – The Rivoli Theater opens in downtown Toledo on St. Clair Street. Its marquee would stay alive with light until the 1970's.
The Press
1550 Woodville Road
Millbury, OH 43447
(419) 836-2221
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The Press
1550 Woodville Road
Millbury, OH 43447
(419) 836-2221
Email Us 
Nov 13, 2022 by The Beat Maker - 0 Comments