Shelby County Historical Society -

SCHS Header

Link to Homepage

Link to Contact Us page

The Shelby County Historical Society is pleased to offer a variety of publications on various segments of Shelby County, Ohio's history. Written by local historians, these books tell the community's most interesting stories. NOTE: Many of the authors of the listed books have generously donated their proceeds to the Shelby County Historical Society!
101 American GEO-SITES You’ve Gotta See - A Tourism Book
	Rocks racing across a lakebed in Death Valley. Perfectly preserved 36-million-year-old tsetse flies in Colorado. Dinosaur track-ways cemented into ancient floodplains in Connecticut. A gaping rift in the Idaho desert. What do these enigmatic geologic phenomena have in common? Besides initiating a profusion of head-scratching over the years, these sites of geologic wonder appear side by side, for the first time, in a single publication. Examining in detail at least one amazing site for all fifty states, Albert Dickas clearly explains the geologic forced behind each one’s origin in 101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See. Dickas discusses not only iconic landforms such as Devil’s Tower in Wyoming but also locals that are often overlooked yet have fascinating stories. Consider the Reel-foot scarp in Tennessee: to the casual observer it is nothing more than a slight rise in a farm field. Yet this subtle slope represents a rift formed during an 1812 earthquake that forced the mighty Mississippi to flow upstream. Or Louisiana’s unassuming, low-lying Avery Island, which actually caps an 8.5-mile-high column of salt. Amply illustrated with full-color photographs and illustrations and written in clear yet playful prose, 101 American Geo-Sites You’ve Gotta See will entertain and inform amateur and seasoned geology buffs whether from an armchair or in the field. By Albert Dickas Softbound 264 pages, 176 Color Photographs, 151 Color Illustrations,

Price: $24.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

The Eclectic Pen of William Binkley
	William Binkley was the editor of The Sidney Journal from 1869 - 1905. He used the power of his pen to influence the direction and character of this community for over 35 years. This book, written by his great-grandson, Albert Dickas, captures the essential qualities and life story of one of Sidney's most influential leaders. By Albert Dickas It is soft bound and contains 431 pages.

Non-Members: $25.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $20.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Laura's Children - The Hidden Story of a Chinese Orphanage
	Laura Richards, who graduated from Sidney High School in 1911, went on to earn a nursing degree and then became a missionary in China. It was there that she opened an orphanage in a remote North China village in 1929 and took in homeless and handicapped babies and children. Despite famines, invasions and wars she saved the lives of nearly 200 destitute children. This is her story. This soft bound book, written by Becky Cerling Powers, has 368 pages.

Non-Members: $20.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $20.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Never Let That Spirit Die
	This book, written by long time Sidney teacher, Shearl Edler, contrasts life at Sidney High School in the mid-1950s with the complex lives of today. It recalls the innocence of those days before computers and cell phones. It reminds us of the spirit of our community in the 50s and an optimism about the future. This soft-bound book contains 106 pages.

Non-Members: $11.00 + $4.00 postage and handling Members: $11.00 + $4.00 postage and handling

History Cloaked in Mystery
	In the of Spring of 2010, the Shelby County Historical Society Youth Committee challenged the students of Shelby County to research local history. They were to create a short story with facts from history combined with an exciting “ghostly” premise. The result is this collection of original stories written by nineteen Shelby County students chosen from over 80 entries. In this book will learn about events such as the sad story of three-year-old Evelyn Wyford, who died at the hands of her adoptive mother and about the terrible accidents while building the Big Four Bridge.
This soft cover, 108 page book, includes 19 stories written by Shelby County middle and high school students.
Non-Members: $14.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $12.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Postcard Images of Shelby County
	200 page full color, hardbound photo book of historic postcards, by Terry Lee, 2004 In the works for more than a year, Postcard Images of Shelby County is a collection of postcards depicting historic scenes of Sidney and Shelby County. This first-time ever publication gives the reader a glimpse at postcards and the stories they tell, many of which have never before been seen by the public. Author Terry J. Lee worked with local historians, postcard collectors, businesses and private individuals to complete a comprehensive survey of Shelby County through the eyes of the common postcard.
This full color photo book inlcudes postcards from Botkins, Dawson, Ft. Loramie, Houston, Jackson Center, Kettlersville, Maplewood, McCartyville, Montra, Newport, Oran, Pemberton, Rumley, Russia, St. Patrick and Sidney.
Non-Members: $40.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $35.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Voices From the Past - Volume II
	292 page hardbound volume. Researched/Written by Rich Wallace, 2003 Volume II of "Voices From the Past" allows the reader to continue the journey through Shelby County history and unravel her mysteries. From Civil War heroes to local men who fought on the sands to Iwo Jima, at Tarawa and In Vietnam. Learn about the colorful and controversial history of the courtsquare, Sidney's baseball legends and the downtown band tradition that began in the 1860s and continues today.
For years, Rich Wallace, prominent Sidney attorney and local historian, has been entertaining and educating county residents with his regular feature articles in the Sidney Daily News. "Voices From the Past - Volume II" is a sequel to the author's 2001 publication, Voices From the Past" , which is in its second printing. Photographs and illustrations accompany each article, adding to the stories which come alive between the pages.
Non-Members: $28.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $25.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Ingenuity in a Can - the Ralph Stolle Story
	Ralph Stolle couldn’t help but live a life that turned a hardscrabble kid from Northern Kentucky into a businessman and power player. His career improved refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and even the automobile. His most enduring achievement was how he forever changed the soda pop industry, when his business created the method for manufacturing the easy open pull tab that is now used all over the world. The author Geoffrey Williams writes a tale of a man who will inspire readers of all interests and ages.
This hardcover 117 page book includes many photos and stories of how Ralph Stolle touched the lives and landscape of Sidney.
Non-Members: $20.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $18.00 + $5.00postage and handling

The Miami & Erie Canal in Shelby County
	64 pages. Researched/Written by Rich Wallace, 1999 The history of the Miami & Erie Canal in Shelby County, Ohio, from construction starting in the mid-1830’s to its nearly total washout in the 1913 flood, is now available to the public in a new book published by the Shelby County Historical Society. Rich Wallace, president of the society, is the author of "The Miami & Erie Canal in Shelby County," the first of eight books on local history planned by the historical group.
This book is the first to document the building and use of the canal in Shelby County, Ohio, is fully illustrated with pictures of canal boats, locks, maps, equipment diagrams, newspaper clippings, and documents relating to the canal days. Parts of the canal were used for almost 100 years.
Non-Members: $16.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $14.00 + $5.00 postage and handling


The Grandpa Ride: 107 More Farm Tales of Shelby County, Ohio
	Written and researched by Jim Sayre, 2002 Illustrations by Allan B. Allen This is Jim Sayre's second book about farm stories from Shelby County. He writes personal accounts of the rural people of our county by telling short stories that are part of our history and culture. 246 pages, softbound Jim Sayre is the past editor of the newsletter for the historical society, Historical Highlights, and is a regular contributor to the Sidney Daily News. He is a 2002 recipient of the "Individual Achievement Award" from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums and the author of Farm Tales, A History of Agriculture in Shelby County.
Non-Members: $28.00 + $5.00 postage and handling Members: $25.00 + $5.00 postage and handling

Treasure Chest Series: The Big Four Bridge
	Written by Linda DeVelvis,2003 Illustrated by David Dorsey, Front cover by Herman Thompson This is the first book in The Treasure Chest Series for children about the history of Shelby County. Come along with Jimmy and Sally as they learn about the story behind the Big Four Bridge and a little about what life was like when their parents were young. 22 pages, softbound Linda DeVelvis is a life-long Sidney resident and teaches history at Sidney Middle School. She is known for her portrayals of historical characters. She is also the 2004 recipient of the "Individual Achievement Award" from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums.

Non-Members: $7.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Members: $6.00 + $2.50 postage and handling

Treasure Chest Series: Our Civil War Heroes
	Written by Linda DeVelvis,2003 Illustrated by David Dorsey, Front cover by Herman Thompson This is the second book in The Treasure Chest Series and focuses on stories about the contributions of Shelby County men to the Civil War. Jimmy and Sally also learn about their father's life growing up on a farm. 30 pages, softbound Linda DeVelvis is a past member of the Board of Trustees for the Shelby County Historical Society and is the chairman of the Society's youth committee. She currently teaches history at Sidney Middle School and is known for her portrayals of of historical characters.

Non-Members: $7.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Members: $6.00 + $2.50 postage and handling

Treasure Chest Series: Kings and Castles
	Written by Linda DeVelvis,2004 Illustrated by David Dorsey, Front cover by Herman Thompson This is the third in The Treasure Chest Series, written by Linda DeVelvis. In this 22 page softbound book, Jimmy and Sally learn about the men who built castles in Sidney and the business leaders that shaped Sidney’s industrial past. 22 pages, softbound Linda DeVelvis is a life-long Sidney resident and teaches history at Sidney Middle School. She is known for her portrayals of historical characters.

Non-Members: $7.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Members: $6.00 + $2.50 postage and handling

Treasure Chest Series: A Walk Around the Clock
	Written by Linda DeVelvis, 2005 Illustrated by David Dorsey, Front cover by Herman Thompson This is the fourth and last book in The Treasure Chest Series for children about the history of Shelby County. In this book Jimmy and Sally learn about their great-grandmother's life growing up in Sidney during the Great Depression and learn about the history of some of the buildings that surround our courthouse. 26 pages, softbound Linda DeVelvis is a life-long Sidney resident and teaches history at Sidney Middle School. She is known for her portrayals of historical characters.

Non-Members: $7.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Members: $6.00 + $2.50 postage and handling

Treasure Chest Series: The 4 Book Series
	Written by Linda DeVelvis Illustrated by David Dorsey, Front covers by Herman Thompson The 4 book series is available at a discount. The series includes The Big Four Bridge, Our Civil War Heroes, Kings and Castles, and A Walk Around the Clock These books are written on a third to sixth grade reading level. The historical content is interesting to readers of all ages.

Non-Members: $24.00 + $4.00 postage and handling Members: $20.00 + $4.00 postage and handling

The History of Shelby County Villages
	Researched/Written by various Shelby County historians 48 pages, softbound This brochure was compiled for the purpose of preserving a history of the many communities of Shelby County, Ohio. Some of these villages are long gone and remain only in history books, but they were an essential part of the growth of our county.
Non-Members: $2.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Members: $2.00 + $2.50 postage and handling

A Look at Shelby County, OH -Activity Book
	This is a soft cover activity book which includes interesting information about Shelby County, along with pictures to color and games to play. The book was created by the youth committee of the Shelby County Historical Society. The cover was designed by David Dorsey. The book is suitable for young children. 8 1/2" X 11" - 18 pages, softbound

Non-Members: $3.00 + $3.00 postage and handling Members: $2.00 + $3.00 postage and handling