By Wade Linville – News Democrat
If you’ve driven to Georgetown over the past 50 years, it’s likely you’ve caught a glimpse of the signs recognizing the village as the home of Ulysses S. Grant from 1823-1839.
Over the years, the three signs placed there by the Ohio Historical Marker Committee in the early 1960s reached a point where they were in desperate need of restoration.
Thanks to the efforts of local veterinarian, U.S. Grant Association member and Georgetown historian Ned Lodwick, the markers have been refurbished to “like new” condition and were expected to be re-erected just in time for Georgetown’s annual Grant Days Celebration that will run April 21-23.
After recognizing the deplorable condition of the old signs, Selma Brittingham of the U.S. Grant Association checked into the cost to purchase three new signs.
The cost estimate came in at approximately $850, and Lodwick responded with, “I think we would be able to paint those.”
Two days later, Lodwick received a call that notified him that the signs had been taken down and were ready for restoration. Lodwick then got right to work.
After around two weeks of working when he could find the time to refurbish the three signs, which are shaped like the State of Ohio, Lodwick had completed the restoration and the freshly painted signs were expected to be re-erected by the end of the following week.
“They were very faded and the paint was peeling. The hardest part was scraping them and getting them ready to paint. I used a wire brush and did the best I could,” said Lodwick. “It didn’t take a lot of talent, but it took a lot of patience.”
And the result is sure to please Georgetown village officials and residents.
“They look like new,” said Lodwick. “I’m very pleased.”
The restored signs were to be placed at two locations on State Route 125 near Georgetown’s corporation limits, and the third sign was to be placed on Mt. Orab Pike near Confidence Cemetery entering the village’s corporation limits.
“He put in a lot of time and effort,” Georgetown Mayor Dale Cahall said of Lodwick. “It took a keen eye to see the signs were in need of a refurb. We have to thank Ned and Selma for noticing the need to refurbish the signs. We hope all of the citizens and community-oriented people will be happy for that.”
Lodwick expressed his appreciation to the Village of Georgetown for establishing and maintaining an excellent working relationship with the U.S. Grant Association, as well as its efforts and cooperation in helping to preserve Georgetown’s history through projects such as the Grant Statue and the annual Grant Days Celebration.
Lodwick expressed his appreciation to the Village of Georgetown for establishing and maintaining an excellent working relationship with the U.S. Grant Association, as well as its efforts and cooperation in helping to preserve Georgetown’s history through projects such as the Grant Statue and the annual Grant Days Celebration.
