BUCYRUS–History will be made at Hobo Day this year when the long-awaited book series “Down to Earth” finally makes its debut.
The three-volume set – a history of Bucyrus and Crawford County – will be available Saturday for the Bucyrus Preservation Society’s annual Hobo Day at the Toledo & Ohio Central Depot. As a bonus, author Jim Croneis will be there to sign copies.
“The content that’s in there, I’m just so pleased with how everything came out,” said Fred Fischer, chairman of the Book Publishing Project for the city’s Bicentennial celebration last year.
“There’s just a wealth of information in there. We’re really excited about it.”
The book signing will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to coincide with Hobo Day activities at the restored train station, 700 E. Rensselaer Street. Those who pre-ordered books may also pick them up, with additional copies available for purchase, Fischer said.
The series, printed by Herald Printing in New Washington, is a reprint of articles published in the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum when Croneis served as the newspaper’s longtime publisher and devoted more than 20 years writing “Down to Earth,” Fischer said.
The articles trace the rich history of Bucyrus from its founding 201 years ago, as well as its schools, businesses, and railroads, he said. Also included are stories and photos of Johnny Appleseed, Colonel William Crawford, and other Crawford County folklore.
Hobo Day this year promises a big lineup of food, crafts, and entertainment, according to Mary Lee Minor of the Preservation Society. Visitors will also have a chance to see the restoration work that’s being done on the inside of the 1892 train station, she said.
Everything from homemade pies and pretzels to kettle corn and slushies will be available, Minor said.
Handcrafted items will include cards, wreaths, centerpieces, wooden toys, furniture, flowerpots, and even an array of fresh-cut flowers and bedding plants.
Copies of “About Bucyrus,” written by Dr. Daniel Arnold for the city’s Sesquicentennial, will also be available Saturday. Proceeds from the book sales are being split between the Preservation Society, the Bucyrus Historical Society, and Norton Bicentennial, Inc., a non-profit branch of the Bicentennial Commission.