TROY — A goal of The Troy Historical Society is to educate the public about the history of Troy and Miami County. What happened in the past, shapes our area today, said a report submitted by Judy Deeter, president of The Troy Historical Society. Many things around us have an historic origin.

Deeter’s report continues:

We travel over roadways named Hobart Circle, Peters Road and McKaig Road. Yet we sometimes fail to realize that there were Hobart, Peters, and McKaig families. Market Street is where early businesses were located and Water Street is near the Great Miami River. Many places we are familiar with relate to past people and events.

The Troy Historical Society was formed in 1965 to help individuals learn about both the past of our local area and their personal family history. For many years, The Troy Historical Society has been in partnership with the Troy-Miami County Public Library Local History Library at 100 West Main Street in Troy to provide historical and genealogical research materials. The Local History Library’s research collection is a joint collection with The Troy Historical Society. It consists of books, manuscripts, photographs and historic post cards. During the year 2023, 260 items were accessioned into the historical society’s part of the collection. The society also maintains a website with containing many historical records: https://thetroyhistoricalsociety.org/troy_historical_society.htm

Society members participated in the annual Troy Independence Day parade on the 4th of July, served on the planning committee for the 100th anniversary observance of the WACO Aircraft Company (with the WACO Air Museum and Aviation Learning Center), had and information table at the annual Routes to Roots genealogical seminar in Piqua, created and presented historical programs and partnered with events presented by the Local History Library. The Local History Library programs included historic “how to” research events, cemetery walks, and a program about things made in Troy. A historical walk of Riverside Cemetery on May 2nd included the dedication of a tombstone for an African-American man name Robert Kenney who lost his life during the Flood of 1913.

Though he was posthumously presented with the Carnegie Hero medal in 1914, his body rested in an unmarked grave for 110 years. Through Baird Funeral Home and Nikol Monuments of Versailles, a tombstone was finally placed at Kenney’s grave. Placement of the tombstone was through Riverside Cemetery and the City of Troy. Trojan Florists placed flowers at the grave. It was dedicated during the cemetery walk. Deeter read the story of Kenney’s life at the dedication ceremony.

The society is currently planning a 50th anniversary observance for the world’s first scan of a UPC barcode in a retail sale. That scan took place at the Troy Marsh Supermarket on North Market St. on June 25, 1974. That same day, a team of engineers from Hobart Corporation’s Dayton Scale Division made the World’s first scan of a product using a UPC barcode label printed inside the store. The 50th anniversary event is scheduled for June 26, 2024 at the former Marsh Supermarket site, which is now Needlers. An Ohio historical marker has been approved for the site by the Ohio History Connection in Columbus.

The Troy Historical Society goal for 2024 is to keep educating the public about the history of Troy and their family. Society members also are continuing to research and create programs for the public.

For further information, contact the Troy Historical Society at 937-339-5900 or by email at [email protected].