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Oberlin History Resources

City Directory Database
We have compiled a database of all of the Oberlin residents, businesses, and addresses contained in the City Directories that have been published in Oberlin through the years. You can now search the City Directory Database. (This is an ideal resource for genealogists, family historians, and anyone interested in the demographics of historic Oberlin.)

Electronic Oberlin Group
The Oberlin Heritage Center is part of the Electronic Oberlin Group website, which tells the stories of many Oberlin people and events, and has many pictures of Oberlin in yesteryear. In 2003 the site received a History Outreach Award from the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums.

Historic Oberlin Today
A 40-part series in the Oberlin News-Tribune, distilled from the Oberlin Historic Inventory, highlights the landmarks of Oberlin's history.

Memories of Oberlin College in the 1940s
Jim Sunshine (OC '49) reflects on the Oberlin of the 1940s. (Available here in PDF.)

Oberlin Historic Inventory
The Oberlin Heritage Center is working on an ongoing survey of historic sites in Oberlin, in cooperation with the City of Oberlin's Historic Preservation Commission. Each year we inventory about fifty buildings, focusing on those that are fifty years or older and retain significant architectural integrity. The Ohio Historical Society Historic Inventory form is completed for each site.

Oberlin Historic Landmarks
Here you can learn about the buildings designated as Oberlin Historic Landmarks by the City of Oberlin Historic Preservation Commission. (This information is also available in hard-copy form--stop by the Oberlin Heritage Center's office to pick up your free copy!)

• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Introduction
• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Page 1
• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Page 2
• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Page 3
• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Page 4
• City of Oberlin Historic Landmarks Page 5
  

Oberlin History Bibliography
Bibliography of suggested reading on Oberlin and "Oberliners."

Oberlin History FAQ
Answers some frequently asked questions about Oberlin history. Send us more of your questions!

Oberlin History Timeline
As you've probably already noticed, Oberlin has a rich and vibrant history. Check out this illustrated timeline (a work in progress) to see what was happening in and around Oberlin from its founding in 1833 through the present!

Oberlin Oral History Project
The Oberlin Oral History Project was begun in the 1980s to record the local history lived and remembered by Oberlin seniors. There was a particular interest in recording African-American history, especially as it related to Oberlin's role as a "safe haven" for fugitive slaves and for free persons of color before, during, and after the Civil War. The original group of interviews has been completely transcribed and documented; another phase of the project is about to begin with the selection of new interviewees. While the histories are not yet available online, they are available in hard copy. (If you wish to view them, please plan to make an appointment with Pat Holsworth via phone at 440-774-1700 or by emailing ohiobiz@oberlinheritage.org.)

Our Common Center
Our Common Center is a database of historic images of downtown Oberlin.

Racial Progress at Oberlin College, 1940-1946
An article by Oberlin College Archivist Emeritus William Bigglestone discussing race relations at Oberlin College during the years 1940-1946. (Available here in PDF.)

Self-Guided Tours of Oberlin
The Oberlin Heritage Center has compiled a number of self-guided tours, with others in the works. Current themes include basic Oberlin history, Oberlin's historic downtown, the Civil War, and Oberlin's famous inventor Charles Martin Hall. Most are geared toward pedestrians and bikers, although many can also be driven. (In the future, we also hope to make some of these available as virtual tours, so check back if you're prevented from making the trip to "real" Oberlin.)

Westwood Cemetery Project
Volunteers are working hard to transcribe the data on every tombstone in Oberlin's Westwood Cemetery. The results of all their hard work will be made available on this web site as it becomes available. Till then, follow the above link for more information about the project.

For further information and research:

Resource Center
We also maintain a library of materials relating to Oberlin's history, including many genealogical resources. It is open to the public by appointment during our office hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, depending on staff and volunteer availability. If you would like to use our Resource Center, please make an appointment by contacting Pat Holsworth by phone at (440) 774-1700 or by sending an e-mail to ohiobiz@oberlinheritage.org.