View source for Bicentennial 1808-2008

[[File:Bicentennial flag.jpg|thumb|Bicentennial Flag celebrating 200 years of history in Licking County]]

In 2008, Licking County celebrated its Bicentennial. Although settlers first came to the area in 1798, it was officially founded in 1808. Newark was the first community founded in 1802, and Toboso was it's last in 1852. <ref name="county"> Edwards, T. (2008, January 10). County observing 200 years. The Standard. </ref> The county was primarily agricultural, but the urban areas began to grow with the construction of the Ohio Canal in 1825. Since then, the county has seen the growth and fall of canals, interurban cars and railroads. There have been a number of [[Events|events]] such as [[airplane crashes]], epidemics, and [[Legends and Hauntings|legends]] that have colored the history of the county. Licking County was named the second largest county in the state geographically. 

The county celebrated the Bicentennial with a number of local activities and events. A Bicentennial Commission was created that produced a community calendar, and published "Images of America: Licking County" by Connie Rutter and Sondra Brockway Gartner. <ref name="county"> </ref> A bicentennial quilt was created by local quilters which celebrated the history of the county which had a square representing each township. <ref> Stirgwolt, A. (2008, January 31). Bicentennial quilt represents area's past, present, future. The Newark Advocate, p. 2. </ref> 

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