Since 2017, the Records Center & Archives staff have conducted oral history interviews to capture Warren County government history. Below are oral histories from a variety of individuals who all share the same thing: their own distinct connection to Warren County.
So, what is an oral history and why is it important? Oral histories preserve first-person recollections of those who shaped the past and laid the foundation for the future. We are actively seeking people who would like to share their stories.
- Did you or someone you know live or work in the old Silver Street Jail, Infirmary, or Mary Haven Children's Home?
- Do you have a personal experience involving these historic Warren County buildings?
- Did you work for or retire from Warren County?
- Did you serve on a county board or commission?
- Were you an Elected Official who served in Warren County?
If so, we would love to hear from you! If you are interested in sharing your unique story with us, you can reach Archives Assistant, Jacob Stickel at Jacob.stickel@co.warren.oh.us or by phone at 513-695-1585.
Miriam Satterthwaite served as Jail Matron from 1952 to 1960 when her husband, Dick Satterthwaite, was Warren County Sheriff. As Matron, Miriam was responsible for the purchasing and cooking of food for the prisoners at the jail on East Silver Street, where she and her family lived.
Oral History
July 26, 2017 Miriam and Vance Satterthwaite
Air Force Veteran, Beverly Susan Melampy, alongside her younger brother Benny, was a resident of the Mary Haven Children’s Home twice between the years of 1960 and 1968. Beverly gives detailed descriptions of life at the institution, as well as interesting stories of her times there.
Oral History
July 26, 2019 Beverly Susan Melampy Transcription
Jim Fred is a descendant of the Fred family, one-time owners of the Fred House, now known as the Corwin House. The Corwin House is currently owned and utilized by Warren County for the central office of the Warren County Engineer’s Office.
Oral History 1
Oral History 2
Oral History 3
November 29, 2018 Jim Fred Transcription
Warren County resident Dan Cunningham gives his recollection growing up in the small town of Lebanon between the 1950s and 1970s. With interesting tales of the Silver Street Jail and Neil Armstrong, Dan provides a unique perspective as to Warren County government history.
Oral History 1
Oral History 2
June 25, 2019 Dan Cunningham Transcription
Michael Yetter retired in June 2019, after a 16-year career with the Warren County Building & Zoning Department, reaching the position of Zoning Director. Michael helps to define what constitutes Warren County property and what large industrial changes the county has experienced in the 21st century.
Oral History
June 27, 2019 Michael Yetter Transcription
Jim Sheets is a retired local attorney, known for his representation of The Train Stop during the infamy of Sam the Chimpanzee. Around 1963, Jim was a Special Deputy for the Warren County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Byron Kennard, where he worked as a jailer and dispatcher.
Oral History 1
Oral History 2
July 29, 2019 Jim Sheets Transcription
Clyde Baston gives a charming recollection of growing up in Warren County in the small Western Row Road church building next to what is now the Kings Island amusement park. Clyde eventually joined the Warren County Emergency Police before becoming a Hamilton Township Trustee.
Oral History
July 9, 2019 Clyde Baston Transcription
Kit Newport is the granddaughter of Charles Young, a Mary Haven Children’s Home resident who was born around 1897. Ms. Newport relayed stories to the Records Center of her grandfather’s time at the Children’s Home as he described to his son, Richard Charles Young, Kit’s father. This recollection of the Children’s Home is the earliest known to the Warren County Records Center and Archives.
Oral History
July 10, 2019 Katherine “Kit” Newport Transcription
Bob Hack, grandson of Amelia and Saul Fred, along with his wife Dorothy, give accounts of Fred Family history while sitting in The Corwin House. The Corwin House is currently owned and utilized by Warren County as the central office for the Warren County Engineer’s Office. The building was once owned by the Fred Family after Governor Corwin and was used as divided apartments during the mid to late 1900s.
Oral History
August 21, 2019 Bob and Dorothy Hack Transcription
The Sparks sisters were residents of the Mary Haven Children’s Home in the 1960s. A riveting story, the sisters give amazing detail as to the day-to-day life as Children’s Home residents and how their lives were shaped by it.
Oral History
August 22, 2019 Sparks Sisters Transcription
Andy Russell retired in December 2021 after a 40-year career with the Warren County Garage. After working in his father’s garage in high school on Sheriff’s cruisers, Andy was hired in May 1981 as Assistant to the Chief Mechanic, only to become Chief Mechanic five months later in October 1981. Andy recollects many amazing stories of his time with Warren County and how the mechanical transportation of Warren County government has changed in forty years.
Oral History
December 1, 2021 Andy Russell Transcription
Keith Anderson served as an assistant prosecutor for the Warren County Prosecutor’s office for 31 years until retiring in 2022. Keith graciously detailed his experiences within the justice system, as well as aiding the Records Center in records retention and understanding the inner workings of criminal law.
Oral History
July 13, 2022 Keith Anderson Transcription
Pamela Spetter Schwartz served as the first Warren County Records Manager and Archivist from 1998 to 2008, overseeing the creation and completion of the Edna Bowyer Records Center and Archives. Pamela gives a detailed description of Warren County records history alongside memorable recollections during her time at Warren County.
Oral History
June 24, 2022 Pamela Spetter Schwartz Transcription
Bonnie Ariss was a volunteer for the Warren County Sheriff’s Office before working full time. Bonnie is married to former Warren County Sheriff and Commissioner, Tom Ariss and provides an interesting perspective into the law enforcement history of Warren County. She also shares stories of her 25 years of working at the Kings Island amusement park.
Oral History
December 13, 2021 Bonnie Ariss Transcription
Tom Ariss was a lifelong law enforcement officer who served as Sheriff of Warren County from 1992-2009. After leaving law enforcement, Tom was elected as a Warren County Commissioner from 2011-2014. As a fun bonus, retired County Chief Mechanic Andy Russell appears at the end of the interview for some joint questions.
Oral History
December 6, 2021 Tom Ariss Transcription