A Swamp White Oak was planted at the Ottawa County Courthouse in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. In back are, from left, America 250-Ohio Ambassador Michael Dylan Brennan, Ottawa County Commissioner Donald Douglas, Ottawa County Commissioner Mark Stahl, and Ottawa Soil & Water Conservation District Program Administrator, Mike Libben. In front is Park District of Ottawa County Executive Director, Jannah Wilson. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

This brick, which is believed to be from the original county courthouse, was discovered when county workers dug a hole for the Heritage Tree that was planted in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

PORT CLINTON – Sometimes history begets history. On April 21, several dignitaries gathered at the Ottawa County Courthouse for the “Ottawa County Heritage Trees: Planting History Dedication Ceremony” in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The ceremony marked the planting of a Swamp White Oak as part of the AM-250 Ohio Heritage Trees initiative that will plant White Oaks in every Ohio county.

But the story behind the story began when Ottawa County building and grounds workers began digging the hole for the White Oak prior to the ceremony. As they dug into the ground in the small spot they chose for the tree, they encountered an old brick with remnants of mortar still clinging to its edges. It is believed the brick is from the original courthouse, which was built around 1840, that was replaced by the current, circa 1901 courthouse.

“We have a picture of fellas sitting around the courthouse lawn cleaning mortar off of bricks from the old courthouse,” said Ottawa County Museum Curator, Peggy Debien. “We know they did use some of the bricks from the old courthouse for the new courthouse, so that’s probably what it was from.”

Museum volunteer, Chuck “Chazz” Avery, said that, among other places, the old bricks were used for the interior of the courthouse belltower and can still be seen today.

The discovery of the brick on the small spot of courthouse lawn they chose for the tree was ironically astonishing, especially considering the event marked the historically significant Ohio anniversary.

“It was neat to come across it when we were digging,” said Tom Losie, the Facilities Supervisor for Ottawa County.

Ottawa County Commissioner Mark Stahl, who spoke at the event, has the brick in his office inside the courthouse, where it sits as a tangible reminder of the ongoing connection between generations in the community.

Other speakers at the event were America 250-Ohio Ambassador Michael Dylan Brennan and Ottawa Soil & Water Conservation District Program Administrator, Mike Libben. The event was emceed by Ottawa County-America 250 Cochair and Park District of Ottawa County Executive Director, Jannah Wilson. The ceremony was organized by Wilson and the other Ottawa County-America 250 cochairs Linda Huber and Brian Shifflet.

Men clean bricks from the recently demolished, original county courthouse in this late 19th century photo provided by the Ottawa County Museum. Some of the bricks were used to construct the new courthouse, which still stands today. (Photo courtesy of Ottawa County Museum)

Brennan said different species of White Oak will be planted across the state, and the Swamp Oak was chosen for its suitability to Ottawa County climate. Wilson said the White Oak has a lifespan of over 300 years.
“It will long stand as a silent witness to American History,” she said.

That means the tree could be around for America’s 500th anniversary.

“We’re not just planting a tree. We’re planting a future,” Stahl said.

The tree planting ceremony was organized by the Ottawa County-America 250 cochairs, from left, Dave Barth, Linda Huber, Jannah Wilson, and Brian Shifflet. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Libben announced the exciting news that the Soil & Water Conservation District has decided to utilize grant funds to purchase and plant trees across Ottawa County to mark Ohio’s semiquincentennial.

“We’ll work with local nurseries to make a heritage tree available to every township, village, and city,” Libben said.

For more about America-250 events in Ottawa County, visit www.ottawacountyhistory.org and click on the “America Turns 250. Read more” link to access the 2026 program guide.