America 250- History Lives Here | March 2026
In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the many ways Ohio and Seneca County have contributed to U.S. History. Each month, a new theme will highlight Ohio’s unique and lasting contributions. Learn more about the 2026 Celebration Themes here.
In the early 20th century, you didn’t have to travel to New York City or Hollywood to find the heartbeat of American entertainment. Right here in Seneca County, we had two orchestrated places serving the arts to our community, and all across the country. From glamorous movies and performances in the Ritz Theatre, to hometown pageants rooted in Fostoria, our community wasn’t just watching history, but making it. This month, we also honor the legacy of Rodger Wilton Young, a local hero whose story transitioned from the battlefields of WWII to the heights of American musical culture.
With the rising popularity of motion pictures in the late 1920s, downtown Tiffin was alive with entertainment. Three theaters were already operating, each drawing in crowds seeking the silver screen. But two local visionaries, Dan Kerwin and Adam Ritzler, dreamed of a movie palace more grand and beautiful than anything they had ever seen.
This is where the vision of the “Ritz” came to life. Completed in only nine months, the Ritz Theatre was immediately dubbed “Tiffin’s quarter-million-dollar movie palace.” This stood as a testament to the community’s ambition, craftsmanship, and love for community art’s.
In 1928, the dream fully came to life when over 1,500 patrons packed the theatre, eager to listen to the Ritz Quality Orchestra. Guests were there not just for the stir of the beautiful sounds of the orchestra, but for the marvel of experience. Elegant decor, ornate details, and modern whirs made seeing a performance impactful.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, four theatres operated in Tiffin. Today, the Ritz stands as a golden reminder of a period when theaters were as much of an attraction as the films they show. Renovated in 1998 and restored to near-original splendor, The Ritz Theatre continues to connect generations. It stands not only as a historic landmark, but as a living piece of Tiffin’s cultural heritage, proof that dreams can live on for generations.
For much of the 20th century, a small company based in Fostoria helped communities across America celebrate their history and heritage in a big way. The John B Rogers Company, founded in 1903, specialized in organizing large-scale historical pageants for communities marking centennials, anniversaries, and other milestones.
Rather than bringing in outside performers, the company worked with local residents, turning neighbors, farmers, doctors, and business owners into actors in elaborate outdoor productions. These shows would feature hundreds of participants, detailed costumes, music, and dramatic retellings of the area’s history.
Beyond the pageant itself, Roger’s helped communities plan full-year-long celebrations with events, contests, and themes to tie in the community’s celebration all in one. At its peak, the company produced dozens of shows each summer, with over 5,000 shows produced before its closing in 1977.
The John B Rogers Company paved the way for the arts in our community and communities all across America. Their unique way of highlighting rich histories across America gave music, art, and entertainment to areas that may have never had it otherwise. Their dedication and impact show how the Seneca County area shaped music and entertainment across America.
Rodger W. Young | The Ballad of a Hero
As we celebrate America 250, the legacy of Rodger W. Young, known as “Fuzz,” stands as a powerful example of how military sacrifice intertwines with American music and entertainment. Whether for entertainment by the Green Springs Town Band or our high school bands over the years, a specific piece of music has been played to recognize and honor this local icon. The Ballad of Rodger Young, written by Frank Loesser, continues to honor his memory and bridge the gap between history and the arts.
Rodger W. Young was born in Tiffin, Ohio, and spent his early days living and attending school in Green Springs, Ohio. Rodger joined the National Guard in Fremont, Ohio, serving in WWII with Co. B, 148th Infantry Rgt, 37th Infantry Div., ONG, US Army. He died near the Munda Strip during the battle of New Georgia in the Solomon Islands in July 1943. Rodger’s body, first buried on the island, was disinterred and returned to Green Springs for a funeral at the Methodist Church and taken to Clyde for burial in McPherson Cemetery.
Posthumously, Rodger was awarded a WWII Medal of Honor for his bravery in serving our country. The ballad written by Loesser honors and showcases the bravery of Rodger W. Young and men alike who protected our country. Celebrated and played often by community and high school bands, the ballad is steadfast in our community as a song to honor those who served our country. Rodger W. Young and his dedication to our country continue to impact our community and country through his legacy, memorialized in American music & entertainment.
To listen to the Ballad of Rodger Young click here.
Today, both the Ritz Theatre and the John B Rogers Company still impact our community. The Ritz Theatre still stands as a beautifully restored testament to serving the arts, while the John B Rogers Company lives in the communities and the people it allowed to be entertainers. Along with the enduring notes of Rodgers Young’s ballad, their legacies serve as a true testament to music and entertainment in the past, present, and future of Seneca County.
For all America 250 Seneca County events, news, and happenings, visit DestinationSenecaCounty.org/America250.
