LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The city of Lima is launching the third of five local history trails this Saturday as part of its ongoing celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
This round’s theme is Industry and Innovation, highlighting Lima’s role in economic development and technological progress. The self-guided hunt will take participants to six different locations that feature nine historically significant areas tied to the growth of the city and the nation.
Participants will visit the site of Lima’s first power plant, now home to Heir Force Community School. Other stops include the Allen County Health Department, which once served as the interurban railroad station, and the location of Lima’s first oil well at 907 E. North St.
City officials encourage residents and visitors alike to take part in the free, self-guided tour to learn more about the area’s industrial roots and historical significance.
Mayor Sharetta Smith said the hunt reflects the foundation on which Lima and Allen County were built.
“If you know the story of Lima and Allen County, you know our very beginning was about industry. It was about innovation. It was about our ties to not just the local economy, but the national economy.”
Details and maps for the Lima Local History Trails can be found on the city of Lima’s website. The final two history hunts, titled Health and Well-Being and Arts and Culture, are scheduled to take place later this spring.
Mayor Smith also serves on Ohio’s 250th Anniversary Commission.
