125 years ago, 1895

Ohio Gov. William McKinley visited Youngstown on his way to Meadville, Pa., to speak at Allegheny College’s commencement. The governor’s party was seated in the railroad president’s private car.

A large crowd awaited McKinley outside the railroad depot where former Youngstown Mayor William Osborn joined the journey. Excited to see the next president of the United States, the crowd watched as a dinner of fried chicken and coffee was brought on board. A Vindicator reporter asked how the governor was feeling — “Never better in my life,” McKinley responded.

McKinley then stepped onto the platform to greet close friends and address the crowd. When he saw William B. Pollock, McKinley said: “Why, how do you do, Mr. Pollock. Let me see, it has been five years since I saw you.” Pollock was very pleased at the exchange and many were amazed at the governor’s impressive power of recollection. He then asked Lloyd Booth how things in Youngstown were going. “First rate, we are improving right along, and times are getting better rapidly. It was a long pull for us but we are getting there, and I guess we will be alright,” noted Booth.

McKinley responded with great joy. “Yes, your city looks well. I think things are getting better the country over. Why, when I was in Kansas last week, I noticed that the corn was this high,” he stated as he held his hand about three feet above the ground. The crowd continued to press forward to shake his hand as the train began to move. The governor climbed back aboard, waving to the crowd to say, “Goodbye, everybody.”

75 years ago, 1945

For two weeks, more than 1,000 local children enjoyed a fresh air camp at Mill Creek Park. The children, ages 3 to 12, enjoyed sports, games, sunshine and great food. An exciting new feature of the camp was a wading pool presented by the Margaret McGeehon Foundation. McGeehon was a beloved Youngstown school teacher for many years. One of the youngsters noted how cold the water was but they all splashed around anyway. Others enjoyed riding down the slide, climbing all over the jungle bars and trying to knock off the balance of friends on the teeter-totter. The human pyramid was a popular choice too, as was the strenuous work of swinging around the maypole. Miss Sarah G. Williams had been camp director for 25 years and noted that the camp’s 35 years of serving Youngstown’s underprivileged youth was made possible by the Community Corporation.

50 years ago, 1970

The Rayen School’s John J. Benninger retired from his 25-year tenure as a fine arts teacher. Benninger moved to Youngstown at age 3 and attended Thorn Hill Avenue grade school, a two-room stucco building. While living on the Sharon Red Line, he carried The Vindicator for 10 years. He was employed at General Fireproofing for several years during the Depression before pursuing his teaching career. Benninger attended the Cleveland Institute of Art, earned his B.S. from Western Reserve University, and his M.A. from Kent State University. He began teaching at Thorn Hill as a substitute teacher before moving to the junior and senior high school in Scienceville. He began teaching at Rayen in 1945.

“The 25 years I’ve spent in my homeroom at Rayen School represent more years than I have ever lived in one home,” Benninger noted. He said that he knew every board and crack in his homeroom, although he was not able to determine the cause for the leaky ceiling for three years. In that homeroom, he taught art and handicrafts. He also had worked part time at the Butler Institute of American Art, framing and doing restoration work. His most well-known legacy is the mural that stood in the lobby of Rayen Auditorium. The piece correlates the history of Rayen, Youngstown, and beyond, beginning in the early 19th century. The Rayen mural is now in the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s collection and on display at Tyler History Center.

40 years ago, 1980

Some of the community’s most vital figures were celebrated at a spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Mahoning County Children Services Board. Foster parents around the community provided, and continue to provide, temporary homes, love and a supportive atmosphere for abused and neglected children. More than 280 foster parents were recognized during the dinner at Krakusy Hall for their work.

“Foster parents are one of the most important resources our community has,” noted Ruth McMonagle, supervisor of the adoption and homefinder unit. “There never are enough families to provide a good home environment for so many of the country’s children when they need temporary shelter because of a parent’s illness, when they must be removed for a time or when they are waiting for adoption.”

• Compiled from the archives of the Youngstown Vindicator by Traci Manning, MVHS curator of education.