Coming
this fall!

The Toledo Files:
101 Mysteries, Secrets, and Stories of the Glass City

Something new is coming to Holy Toledo History.

For years, readers have asked the questions: Why are there tunnels beneath downtown? Who buried stolen nitroglycerin in a Toledo park? What really happened to General Steedman's statue? What secrets did the Titanic leave behind in Toledo?

Now, for the first time, those stories—and nearly one hundred more—are coming together in a single volume.

The Toledo Files uncovers the hidden history, forgotten crimes, unsolved mysteries, curious landmarks, remarkable people, and surprising stories that have shaped the Glass City for more than two centuries.

Whether you're a lifelong Toledoan or simply love a good mystery, you'll discover that history is often stranger than fiction.

Coming October 2026. Follow Holy Toledo History for exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes research, and announcements about upcoming presentations and book signings.

Open the file. Follow the clues. Discover the history hidden in plain sight.

Stories that Move You

Explore the 419 at your own pace while enjoying stories on VoiceMap’s immersive audio tour app.

Welcome to Holy Toledo History, where you can walk or drive with local author, history enthusiast, and expert storyteller Tedd Long and discover the backstories to Northwest Ohio's historical sites, classic architecture, iconic hotspots, and more.

Start Now

Travel Through Time This July

Explore Northwest Ohio's past this July with the Time Travelers Passport—visit historic sites, collect stamps, earn a unique commemorative challenge coin, and discover the stories that shaped our region.

The Time Travelers Passport is proudly sponsored by Holy Toledo History.

Learn More...

Woodlawn's Forgotten Purpose: Toledo's Memorial to the Unknown Dead of the Civil War

The handsome Civil War Monument in Section 41 of Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum has an interesting history. In fact, the memorial almost didn't make it to Woodlawn. Today, most visitors know the monument simply as the G.A.R. Civil War Monument or Civil War Soldiers' Monument. Rising 65 feet above the surrounding graves, the granite memorial is one of the cemetery's most recognizable landmarks. Yet a review of contemporary newspaper accounts reveals that the monument's origin

Tedd Long

Jun 126 min read

What Happened in St. Louis Didn't Stay in St. Louis — It Came to Cedar Point

The Mercury statue standing near the Valravn Gate is one of Cedar Point's oldest and most overlooked treasures. George A. Boeckling — the visionary who transformed Cedar Point from a quiet beach resort into a world-class amusement destination — purchased Mercury and several other statues and urns at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, bringing a piece of that grand exposition back to the shores of Lake Erie. You've probably caught a glimpse of Cedar Point while passing over t

Tedd Long

Jun 64 min read

Holy Toledo: A Love of History

I was honored to be featured by 13abc as part of their "We the People" series. What began as an interest in Toledo's history has grown into books, tours, podcasts, and countless opportunities to share the stories that make our community unique. I'm grateful to everyone who has followed Holy Toledo History, attended a tour, purchased a book, or simply shared a story of their own. Toledo's history belongs to all of us, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to help tell it.

Tedd Long

Apr 301 min read

Toledo and the Underground Railroad: A City on the Edge of Freedom

When we think about the Underground Railroad, our minds often go to secret tunnels, hidden rooms, and whispered passwords. The reality was both less romantic and far more dangerous. For those seeking freedom, Toledo wasn’t just another stop along the way. It was the final threshold. Beyond Toledo lay Lake Erie. Beyond Lake Erie lay Canada. And beyond Canada lay freedom that American law refused to grant. In the 19th century, Toledo stood on the razor’s edge between slavery an

Tedd Long

Feb 203 min read

Waterville's Interurban Trolley Bridge

For those who appreciate the story behind Waterville’s iconic Interurban Trolley Bridge , also known as the Ohio Electric Railroad Bridge, you’ll enjoy this deep dive into its fascinating history and current status. The piece was written by local historian and author Carroll McCune and originally published by BG Independent News .

Tedd Long

Oct 19, 20251 min read

The Strategic Significance of Toledo in Great Lakes Shipping History

The David Dows and boat unloading cargo at Toledo's Union Railroad grain elevator in 1882. The city of Toledo, situated at the western end of Lake Erie on the Maumee River, has long been a pivotal node in the Great Lakes shipping network. From the canal era of the nineteenth century through the age of iron-hulled freighters and the advent of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Toledo’s port has stood at the crossroads of inland and international trade. Its story is one of innovation, r

Tedd Long

Oct 17, 20256 min read

Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo

I had the honor of speaking to the Toledo Rotary Club about two of my favorite projects—my books Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo Before You Die . In this talk, I shared some of the fascinating stories, hidden gems, and surprising bits of Toledo history that inspired these works, along with a few behind-the-scenes moments from my research and writing process. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Toledo enthusiasts and history lovers, and I’m

Tedd Long

Aug 15, 20251 min read

Toledo’s Middle Grounds, 1856: A Window into the City’s Industrial Dawn

This article originally appeared in the April 25, 1856, edition of The Toledo Blade and offers a remarkably vivid portrait of the Middle Grounds at a transformative moment in Toledo’s history. Its rich descriptions of the landscape and the ambitious railroad works underway at the time provide a rare, first-hand look at the city's rapid industrial and infrastructural growth. I recently discovered this article in my research into Toledo’s past and have carefully transcribed it

Tedd Long

Jun 26, 202512 min read

The Decision That Changed Two Cities: Why Ford Chose Detroit Over Toledo

Of course, you’re thinking, “Henry Ford picked Detroit over Toledo?” Nope — not that Ford. The title is a playful tease. This post is about Edward Ford, not Henry. In 1907, glass magnate Edward Ford was ready to make his mark by constructing a grand headquarters. Considering his busy plate glass plant was less than a mile upriver, Toledo seemed like a natural fit — until skyrocketing land prices scared him off. According to Ford, as soon as Toledo’s developers discovered he w

Tedd Long

Jun 22, 20252 min read

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Coming
this fall!

The Toledo Files:
101 Mysteries, Secrets, and Stories of the Glass City

Stories that Move You

Travel Through Time This July

RECENT POSTS

Woodlawn's Forgotten Purpose: Toledo's Memorial to the Unknown Dead of the Civil War

What Happened in St. Louis Didn't Stay in St. Louis — It Came to Cedar Point

Holy Toledo: A Love of History

Toledo and the Underground Railroad: A City on the Edge of Freedom

Waterville's Interurban Trolley Bridge

The Strategic Significance of Toledo in Great Lakes Shipping History

Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo

Toledo’s Middle Grounds, 1856: A Window into the City’s Industrial Dawn

The Decision That Changed Two Cities: Why Ford Chose Detroit Over Toledo

EXPLORE MORE AT Remarkable419

PHOTO BLOG

Join Our Mailing List

Coming this fall!

The Toledo Files: 101 Mysteries, Secrets, and Stories of the Glass City

Stories that Move You

Travel Through Time This July

RECENT POSTS

Woodlawn's Forgotten Purpose: Toledo's Memorial to the Unknown Dead of the Civil War

What Happened in St. Louis Didn't Stay in St. Louis — It Came to Cedar Point

Holy Toledo: A Love of History

Toledo and the Underground Railroad: A City on the Edge of Freedom

Waterville's Interurban Trolley Bridge

The Strategic Significance of Toledo in Great Lakes Shipping History

Forgotten Visitors and 100 Things to Do in Toledo

Toledo’s Middle Grounds, 1856: A Window into the City’s Industrial Dawn

The Decision That Changed Two Cities: Why Ford Chose Detroit Over Toledo

EXPLORE MORE AT Remarkable419

PHOTO BLOG

Join Our Mailing List

Coming
this fall!

The Toledo Files:
101 Mysteries, Secrets, and Stories of the Glass City