Powell Incorporation 1947
Powell was incorporated as a village in 1947. The population had reached 350, sufficient for village status, but there were no streetlights or local fire protection. There was police protection, but people were complaining about the noise and traffic at Powell Speedway. Members of the Powell Boosters Club presented a petition to the Delaware County Commissioners signed by 134 residents in favor and 34 against incorporation. After approval by the Commissioners, a special election was held to form a governing body of Mayor and Council.
Powell was incorporated as a village in 1947. The population had reached 350, sufficient for village status, but there were no streetlights or local fire protection. There was police protection, but people were complaining about the noise and traffic at Powell Speedway. Members of the Powell Boosters Club presented a petition to the Delaware County Commissioners signed by 134 residents in favor and 34 against incorporation. After approval by the Commissioners, a special election was held to form a governing body of Mayor and Council. The first village officers were some of Powell’s leading citizens. Frank Bayles, a retired telegraph operator for 40 years and active in over 14 clubs and organizations, was elected mayor. Village treasurer was grocer Fred Reeves; village clerk was Hershel Bishop, and the first marshal was Bill Muladore. Those elected to council included Harry Weinstock, owner of Weinstock Motor Sales; local barber Pernal Askins; Harold Plummer, owner of Plummer’s Confectionary; Don Canfield, operator of Canfield Hardware and the Sohio Station; Eugene Hess, inventor, and owner of Electroweigh Scale Company of Powell; and Ethel Crist, fifth and sixth grade teacher at the Powell School. Also in the photo to the far left are Don Morgan and Glenn (Micky) Williams.
The following year Ohio Governor Thomas Herbert came to Powell and threw the switch to give the village its first streetlights. The crowd attending the ceremony and the following festivities was estimated at over 5,000.
