Harrod's Veterans Memorial Park

Located 2 miles south of SR 309 just east of Lima is the Veterans Memorial Park. The Veterans Memorial Park displays a 155mm M114 A2 Howitzer Cannon, an Anchor from the USS Texas, an M60 A3 Battle Tank and a UH-1 Huey Helicopter.

The park was created in honor and memory of all Veterans who served in the United States armed forces.

The M60 A3 Tank

The M60 Tank, often called the "Patton Tank" first saw service in 1960 and was operational up until 1978. When fully equipped and battle ready, the tank weighed 55 tons with a crew of 4. It's main artillery was a 105mm gun, and 3 machine guns. It had a top speed of 30 mph and could transverse 4 feet of water.

UH-1 Helicopter

The Huey as it was commonly called to Vietnam Vets, first saw service in 1959. During the Vietnam War, the Huey was used for almost every task imaginable and its distinctive sound instilled fear to the enemy and pride in the troops on the ground when they heard that sound coming in low over the tree tops.

Harrod's Railroad Heritage Park

Across the road from Veterans Memorial Park is the Railroad Heritage Park has a 1905 Shay Train Engine (Serial Number 1568) built at the Lima Locomotive Works for the Tioga Lumber Company in West Virginia. Also included is the attached tender and caboose along with a 100 year old lumber office building and inside, plenty of artifacts and memorabilia.

The 1905 Shay was manufactured in Lima and purchased by the Tioga Lumber Company located in West Virginia. Over the years this particular piece of equipment saw a variety of different work environments up until it was purchased by a group in Lima where they intended to preserve the history and culture of Lima's railroading history. Eventually those efforts failed to mature and the Auglaize Township Historical Society was given the opportunity to purchase the engine.

The Shay was dismantled in Lima and shipped by truck to Harrod where it has been on display since the 1990s. Also on display in the park is a restored lumber yard office building, a workman's shanty that was common to railroading, and there is the red caboose which was retired from service in 1980 and after some negotiations, the caboose was donated to the Auglaize Township Historical Society and arrived in Harrod in the early 1990s.

1905 Shay Engine built at the Lima Locomotive Works

Lima Locomotive Works

The Lima Locomotive Works was part of what made Lima famous. They made more Shay geared locomotives than anyone else in the world. They were so well known that they captured 20% of the market from the larger firms on the East coast. The Lima Locomotive Works played a large part in Lima's history.

Harrod

The community was named after William and James Harrod who established the Harrod Sawmill here in 1884 which operated in conjunction with the Lima & Columbus Railroad.  The railroad was an important part of Harrod's development. It provided a vital link for many decades with the rest of the state and the country. With cutbacks in rail traffic during the late 1970s, Harrod lost that connection. In an attempt to show its pride and historic connection with the railroad, the village created the railroad park which is maintained by the Auglaize Township Historical Society. Visitors are welcome year round during daylight hours and there is no admission. The park is funded through donations and raffles held during the annual Pork Rind Heritage Festival the second weekend in June each year.

Pork Rind Heritage Festival

One of the most interested festivals in northwest Ohio is the Pork Rind Heritage Festival in Harrod. It is a mostly free event that revolves around the most delicious popped pork rinds. Of course there is other food and drink plus 2 nights of great live entertainment on stage. The main purpose of the event is to raise money through several raffles that attract many raffler buyers to part with their hard earned bucks for a chance at winning some piece of manly equipment that usually involves wheels and gasoline. For the more adventurous, there is a greased pig contest!

For more information about Harrod and the Auglaize Township Historical Society