A Brief History:
The need to preserve records of enduring historical, legal, financial and administrative/governing value has been long established throughout human history. However in the formative years of Ohio’s history, record preservation often was an afterthought to the more pressing issues of the day. In Licking County, individual county agencies were responsible for preserving their own records. Without a dedicated department to care for and house these records, they were shuffled around to any county buildings that had space, the majority landing in the courthouse attic between 1808 and 1874. In 1875 the courthouse caught fire and many of the early county records did not survive. A new courthouse was built and its attic was quickly inundated with new county records. While some steps were taken to better safeguard the county’s records, such as the creation of the Record Commission through the Board of County Commissioners, record preservation continued to be a low priority until more recent times. The Licking County Records & Archives Center was established in 2008 in response to the need for records management among the various county agencies. The Center has grown from a staff of 1 with an attic full of boxes to a 5 person team working to accommodate greater numbers of government records. In July 2018, after years of planning, the Record & Archives Center moved into a larger facility at 61 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio, 43055.
Records & Archives Function:
To serve the citizens of Licking County by efficiently managing the various records created by county agencies in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, Sunshine Laws and best archival practices. Since the creation of the Record & Archives Center in 2008, it has striven to promote government accountability and transparency by providing access to public records of historical value.
Licking County Records & Archives Center Holdings:
The Licking County Records & Archives Center maintains the historical and necessary permanent of various county agencies, some of which no longer exist. Sadly a fire in 1875 destroyed many of the early court records for Licking County, though some pre-1875 did survive. Additionally, some records are restricted—if you have any questions please contact us through email [email protected], by phone 740-670-5121, or by visiting us in person at 61 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio, 43055.
Record Series |
Years |
A History of the Courts and Lawyers of Ohio in 3 Volumes |
1934 |
Annual Reports Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building |
1886-1888 |
Board of County Visitors Reports |
1892-1924 |
Bonds, Newark & Granville Electric Street Railway Company |
1892 |
Children's Home Oral History Interviews |
1930-1975 (interviews took place in 2013) |
Children's Home Photographs *some photographs restricted |
1939-2013 (with gaps) |
County Jail Oral History Interviews |
1947-1979 (interviews took place in 2014) |
County Elected Officials Oral History Interviews |
1979-2013 (interviews took place between 2014-2015) |
Decorative Bricks/Tiles from the Licking County Children's Home |
1886-1888 |
Historical Licking County Jail Photographs |
1890-2010 (with gaps) |
Jesse Grove Photographs |
1925-1926 |
Judge Gregory L. Frost Papers |
1990-2002 |
Law Library Meeting Minutes |
1896-2002 (with gaps) |
Members of Soldiers' Relief Commission |
1901-1983 |
Railroad Policeman's Commissions |
1886-1968 |
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map |
1920-1950 |
School and Library Atlas of the World |
1974 |
Soil Survey of Licking County, Ohio |
1992 |
Spike from The Newark & Granville Electric Street Railway Company |
1888-1923 |
Trustees of Sinking Fund Cash Book |
1903-1907 |
Trustees of Sinking Fund Ledger |
1903-1909 |
Trustees of Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building |
1900-1983 |