Law enforcement is a key component to the success of any community, and Sebring has been blessed by the dedication of its police force. Pictured in this 1940s photograph, from left to right, are Arthur Eells, Paul Gednetz, Wilbert Parr, Police Chief James Marshall, Mayor William Unger, and Radio Clerk Steve Leighton.
Police officers provide treats to the children of the community on Halloween night in the 1960s. The police force of Sebring has always been involved in community activities. In 1985, the Sebring Police Association was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to “working towards the common goal of creating and engaging in activities exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for the primary benefit of the residents of the city of Sebring, focusing mainly towards the children of the community.”
The Reverend C.O. Armstrong was sworn in as the first police chaplain on April 29, 1969, by Mayor Joseph R. Harp (on the far left). His badge of authority was presented from the department by Sgt. David E. Abney (second from right). Police Chief Paul F. Gednetz can be seen on the far right.
Members of the Sebring Police Department posed in front of a cruiser in 1949 and are shown here, from left to right, as follows: Wilbert Parr, Paul Gednetz, and James Marshall.
The Sebring Police Department purchases a new Breathalyzer in the late 1960s. Pictured from left to right are the following: Mayor Joseph Harp, Police Chief Paul F. Gednetz, Councilman John Fahnert, and County Court Judge John A. Reddy.
Members of the Sebring Fire Department pose in front of the old station in the alley behind the old village hall in 1949. Members shown here, from left to right, are as follows: (front row) Chief John Watson, Assistant Chief Herbert Vogt, and Lieutenant D. Cameron; (second row) George Halverstadt, Sal Trainer, William Mercer, Russ Sanders, Richard Sanders, Ed Parr, Dale Larkins, Herb Johnston, R. Barnett, Charles Mercer, and Jim Jordan; (back row) George Goodballet, Earl Simpson, George Brimlow, R. Bratton, Art Eells, Johnny Meir, and E. Eaton.
The Sebring Fire Department teamed up with Mayor L.E. Harmon for this 1929 photograph.
Schoolchildren pose in front of the new fire station on East Ohio Avenue in 1952. Designed by Alliance architect Richard Zuber (he also designed the First United Presbyterian Church), the fire station was built by L.J. Clark. Several additions have been added over the years, including the kitchen to the rear of the building, and, in 1969, the bay was enlarged to fit the new snorkel.
Mayor Harmon and Chief C. Smith pose with members of the Sebring Fire Department in
The fire trucks are positioned in front of the old station in 1938. The truck on the right was referred to as a mini-pumper. One of the major fires the department faced in the early years was at the Ohio Avenue Motor Company in January 1931, on the corner of West Ohio Avenue and North Sixteenth Street. Forty-two automobiles were destroyed at a loss of $70,000.
1929. Notice the advertisements for Coca-Cola and Lucky Strike Cigarettes behind the men.
This snapshot shows the devastation of the July 24, 1920 fire, which broke out in a Chinese laundry on West Ohio Avenue. This fire destroyed the Victoria Block, Knight Building, and the Sebring Times Building on North Fifteenth Street, which housed businesses and apartments. Unfortunately, the line between the pumping station and the stand pipe was broken, leaving the fire department defenseless. The heat was so intense that the plate glass windows on the east side of North Fifteenth Street cracked. The loss was estimated to be in excess of $80,000.
The firemen pose in front of their new 1969 Pierce 55-foot snorkel, which was equipped with a 1,000-gallon pumper. The fire department was a fully self-sufficient operation for many years. The annual Firemen’s Festival with its rides and parade has been a major fund-raiser for the department, and the auxiliary has also been instrumental in fund-raising. Over the years, other events, like the Harvest Home Festival and concession stands at Lake Park, have helped to maintain the department. Do to the rising cost, a levy was passed to purchase the most recent truck.
Members of the fire department pose in front of the Fred E. Sebring residence on North Fifteenth Street and East Maryland Avenue in September 1929. The fenders of the fire trucks advertise the upcoming Harvest Home Festival.
This is perhaps a demonstration on how the mini-pumper works or firemen preparing to put out a fire. Sal Trainer (standing on the right), who was “bones trimmer” of the department, stands here in the late 1930s with adults and children alike, along the edge of the sidewalk on North Fifteenth Street as the hoses are attached.
The Lincoln School Building is the backdrop for this 1920s photograph of the firemen in their coats and hats. Note the dog sitting statue-like on the truck. He is one well-trained animal.
Sebring Lodge No. 626, F. & A.M. held their first meeting on April 22, 1913, on the second floor of the Citizens Banking Company. A charter was granted to the Sebring lodge on October 22, 1914, at which time F.O. Brooks was named grand master. They built their temple in 1914, and it was severely damaged by fire in 1941. In May of the same year, the building was moved from the corner to the center of the property, and a basement was added for a central heating system. The building was remodeled inside and renovated outside. A brick veneer was put on the outside, and the pillars from the old E.H. Sebring residence were placed in front. The home was rededicated in June 1942.
The American Legion in Sebring was organized on August 8, 1919, with 30 veterans signing on as charter members. On September 9, 1919, the post was instituted and the officers were elected. The officers elected were James Eardley, commander; Hal Surls, vice commander; Emmett Barrett, secretary; and Harold Weaver, treasurer. In 1924, ground was broken for the construction of this Memorial Hall. The American Legion has made many contributions to the community, including assisting the fire department with the Harvest Festival, providing baskets of food to the needy during the Depression, and sponsoring basketball and softball games. On August 16,1998, Post 76 dedicated a new building at 395 West California Avenue.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cross of Malta Post No. 6730, was formed in 1945. They purchased the Pythian Temple at 206 East Ohio Avenue in the late 1940s.
The honor roll was dedicated on June 30, 1943. The Sebring Times best captured the sentiment of this photograph, taken by Bob Deemer, in saying: “Boys in the service of Uncle Sam, scattered in the far flung battlefronts of the world, ready to do their utmost for their country, on land, in the air and on the sea, are held in most respectful and appreciative memory by the folks back home. While the fondest memories are recorded indelibly only in the hearts of their friends and loved ones, this dignified panel containing the names of all the Sebring and Smith Township boys stands out as the most respected and honored spot in Sebring.”
A grand sendoff to an uncertain future is shown in this photograph. On September 19, 1917, a contingency of Sebring men were honored in front of the Citizens Banking Company by their community as they prepare to leave for boot camp. In the small community of Sebring, a total of 244 men served in WW I, and six died as a result of injuries or sickness.
This group of 26 young men pose with a woman, perhaps someone’s mother, outside the mayor’s office on September 19, 1917. Their potential involvement in Europe’s trench warfare awaited them, and for many, it would leave an indelible mark for the rest of their lives.
A train awaits these men at the Sebring depot for the long trip to camp. For many, this was the first time they left the comfortable boundary of their community. The climax of a day, filled with mixed emotions, was when the men paraded down North Fifteenth Street on September 19, 1917, to the train station.
Mr. and Mrs. (Carmen Laughlin) Ernest Workman posed for this picture during WW I. The Workmans were the parents of Dale and William Workman, and Mrs. Kenny (Thelma) Doyle. At a time of war, it was common for couples to have their pictures taken because it was a comforting keepsake until they could be together again.
A contingency of men posed in front of the Citizens Banking Co
mpany building prior to leaving for duty during WW I.
Seven
VARIATIONS
A pony ride was the highlight of the day for Orville “Red” Beaton in 1920. During the early years of this century, men traveled around to various communities offering to take children’s pictures on a pony, or in a goat cart, and in return they asked for a free meal, a place to sleep, or a small amount of money.
Members of the Kibitzer Club who posed for this photograph at the home of member Ron Wilson in 1945 are, from left to right, as follows: (standing) Ron Wilson; Clyde Eastham, owner of Eastham’s Grocery; Ernest Hundley; and Sumner Oesch, owner of Leonard Hardware; (seated) Frank L. Herman, owner of Herman’s Dry Goods; J.E. Torbert, owner of The Sebring Times; M.A. Sutherin, retired agent with the Pennsylvania Railroad; and Maurice Coffman, owner of Coffman Furniture Store on West Ohio Avenue. The Kibitzer Club was a men’s bridge club that met on Tuesday evenings.
The Sebring Nightingales relax on the steps of the Hotel Sebring in 1913. The only identification on the photograph are the names of Howard Pinkerton, Ray Pinkerton, and Sharpnecks.
Members of the Sebring Glee Club pose in front of the high school in 1925. Some of the members have been identified, from left to right, as follows: (seated) John Hoffmeyer, Elmer Shaffer, Arthur Grindley Sr., Thelma (Grindley) Iddings, Will Davies (director), and Colin Anderson; (middle row) Joseph Yates, Carl Hamilton, James Yates, ?, James Earley, Larry Maley, and Timothy Desmond; (top row) Jess Green, ?, Allen West, George Wilcoxon, John Foden, and two unidentified people.
George Sebring Sr. hitches up his horse for an afternoon ride. The picture was taken in front of his home on the southeast corner of West Ohio Avenue and North Sixteenth Street around 1905. The home in the background is the Frank Sebring residence, and the empty lot next to the residence is where the post office stands today. Mr. and Mrs. Sebring followed their sons and daughters to the new community from East Liverpool. For a short time, he operated a grocery store on Ohio Avenue. His family made repeated attempts to get him to retire, though he always resisted. According to his obituary, he once said “would rather wear out than rust out in idleness.” He eventually settled down and enjoyed his remaining years greeting people along the streets. He always preferred to be called “Uncle George.”
Because Sebring was situated along a major railroad line, it had the opportunity to take part in numerous historic events. One such event was the return of the body of the late President William McKinley to Canton, Ohio. Pictured is the School Children Arch, built out of wood, paper streamers, floral arrangements, and photographs of the martyred president. The children of the community hold flags while waiting for the funeral train to pass by.
The members of the Sebring Band, No. 26 Realm of Ohio, sing out a tune for the cameraman at Schoch Studio of Alliance in 1923. The gentleman in the top row with the baton is identified as Clem Smith. There is no other identification.
Every community has a dark side to its history that many would rather forget or deny; however, it can not be ignored. The Ku Klux Klan was a well-established and organized group in many villages and towns throughout the Midwest in the 1920s. Sebring was no exception. Here we see the Klan, and many curious bystanders, watch as a cross is burned and the flag is raised during one of their numerous meetings in a field just outside of town. It is not necessary to know who was directly involved or their reasons for involvement. The papers and oral histories note that this “secret society or fraternal group” was active in numerous events in the community. They included the Harvest Home Festivals, Sebring’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, and the dedication of Maple Ridge School in 1925.
“The Bunch,” as they were often referred to, prepare to take a dip in the ocean at Atlantic City in 1918. The wool outfits were not always so comfortable. Before the “Roaring Twenties,” a lady never exposed her knees in public, as seen in this picture. The couples were residents of Sebring and Alliance, and their friendship evolved through various business and social events. They are pictured here, from left to right, as follows: (seated) Blanch Morris and Connie Sebring; (middle row) Dr. Willis Sanford, Jessie Sanford, Margaret Lamborn Zang, and Arthur Morris; (top row) Charles Leigh Sebring and Fred J. Zang.
Dick Davis, Margaret Lamborn Zang, Helen Sebring Gahris, and Frank H. (Tode) Sebring prepare for an outing in the early 1900s. They are standing in front of the home of Charles L. Sebring (Helen and Tode’s brother). Frank Harbison (Tode) Sebring was a graduate of Yale University and, at the time of his death, at age 45, in 1934, was head of the Salem Pottery Company and director of the Limoges China Company. He was married to Margaret Ramsey, the daughter of Willis H. Ramsey of Alliance. Mr. Ramsey was an executive with Morgan Engineering Company, which was owned by his brother-in-law, Colonel William H. Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Harbison Sebring had two children, Frank and Shirley.
Anna Sebring Murphy was the daughter of Oliver Howard and Matilda Jane Hume Sebring. She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on November 11, 1878. As mentioned in a previous chapter, Mrs. Murphy’s primary interest was in the Sebring Camp Grounds, and her religious convictions were the reason for its success. She wrote a hymn “Constantly Abiding,” which reflected her faith in God.
In much of Sebring’s historical material, there is a great amount of information on the Sebring brothers and how they were instrumental in the development of the community. There is an adage that says, “behind every successful man is a good woman,” and it has also been said that behind every successful brother is a loyal sister. In 1899, Eva and Emma came with their husbands and families to help their brothers’ dream of building a community come true. They tramped through the muddy streets, suffered from the heat of summer, and endured the bugs from the surrounding swamps. Here, we see Emma Barclay and Eva Norris in Sebring, Florida, on March 2, 1936. The picture was taken by R.L. McClure, Emma’s grandson.
Miss Margaret Kadisch was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1904 and was raised in England. During WW II, she and her family endured the German bombing raids. In the 1940s, she moved to Plainfield, New Jersey. Before coming to Sebring, she created medical drawings, served as a governess, and worked for Gort Pottery. In 1948, she moved to Sebring and was appointed art director of the Spalding China Company. After a fire closed the plant in 1957, Miss Kadisch served as librarian at the Sebring Public Library. She was also an active member of the Alliance Art Center. Many of her portrait paintings are in collections throughout the United States. In 1996, Miss Kadisch published a volume of her poetic works, titled Verse-A-Tile. Margaret Kadisch died on December 6, 1998.
Celebrating her seventh birthday on September 13, 1920, Gretchen Gahris poses with her new German bisque doll on the front steps of her West Ohio Avenue home. She was the daughter of Willard I. and Helen Sebring Gahris. Gretchen was a graduate of Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. After her marriage to J. Harrison Keller, they remained in this home until the mid-1960s. Gretchen Keller was active in many organizations throughout her life, which included the Alliance Flower Garden Club, Coterie, president and volunteer for the Alliance Chapter of the Red Cross, 35-year member of the Alliance Hospital Auxiliary, YWCA, and the Alliance Woman’s Club. She died in July 1986.
Friends and family, including the Cliff children and Leroy Lamborn Zang, celebrate Gretchen’s seventh birthday in the front yard of the Gahris residence. Gretchen’s mother passed away in August 1919, and her father died in August 1924. She lived with her grandparents Frank and Emma Harbison Sebring until their deaths.
Women from the French Saxon China Company enjoy the company’s annual picnic at Idora Park. A few of these women are pictured, from left to right, as follows: Mildred Zeppernick, Emma Crum, Dorothy Strain, and Florence Eckley.
The Sewing Club was comprised of prominent women in the Alliance and Sebring area. They included Mrs. Charles L. (Conradine) Sebring and Evelyn Sebring; Ada Cassaday Turkle and her children, Rebecca (Betty), Barbara, a
nd Brinton; Katherine Stamp and her children, Jane and Lewis; a young Gretchen Gahris; Milicent Weybrecht; Grace Reeves; Blanche Morris; and Hazel Shidler.
A pictorial history book on Sebring would not be complete without photographs of the “Sebring Six.” The car was designed by Jim Gwin and Bob Allen. They brought their idea to Oliver H. Sebring, who along with his son Bert, backed it financially. Posing in the very first “Sebring Six” are, from left to right, as follows: Louis Peoz, driver; Bob Allen, passenger side; Mr. Campbell (engineer), in the back; and James Gwin (president of the Sebring Six Company), on the left. The company was organized in the later part of 1909. A prototype was completed in January 1910, and was given a test run from Sebring to East Liverpool and back, the entire trip being made in high gear.
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