[VIDEO] William Cobb Way – Current Affairs meets Black History

This photo of William (Bill) Cobb is prominently displayed at the Loveland Museum Center

by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – When Jim Grethel found out that a new street would be created due to a roundabout being installed along Loveland Madeira Road he appeared at the January 28 council meeting and asked that it be named “William Cobb Way”. A unanimous vote of the Council approved Grethel’s suggestion to pay tribute to the life of the remarkable  “Uncle Bill” as he was known.

In the LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO below you can watch Grethel making his case.

William (Bill) Cobb was a prominent Black businessman and community leader. It would be difficult to gauge what made Mr. Cobb more legendary: the general store he operated where the Loveland Post Office is now located, or his generosity and philanthropy. The quite famous general store, which William and his wife Mary operated for more than 50 years, was demolished when the current post office was built.

Cobb was born in 1891 and arrived in Loveland in 1856. He passed away in 1967.

Until July 4, 2021, a tall Norway spruce stood at the exit of the Loveland Post Office to honor Mr. Cobb. The Loveland Christmas Tree was lit annually with lights until it began losing it’s needles. The tree was the victim of ants, canker disease, and finally a chainsaw. The tree became known as Loveland’s Christmas Tree but to many older residents, it was always “Mr. Cobb’s Tree”. There was a plaque at the base of the tree, however, it was lost when the tree was cut down.

On July 4, 2021, as I was driving past the post office I saw Mr. Cobb’s Tree was laying on the ground. I turned around, went back to watch the arborist, and took some photos.

Symmes Township resident Brian Griffin was doing the chainsawing, chipping, and grinding. I asked Brian if he would cut off a slice near the base so I could keep it for history’s sake. I had never met Mr. Cobb that I can remember, however, I have known for decades that his history and legacy are Loveland’s history and legacy.

Brian was very generous with his conversation, skill, and his time.

I plan to continue sanding the top, apply several coats of penetrating oil, and eventually attach a brass plate to remember and commemorate Mr. Cobb. I plan to keep it here at the Loveland Magazine office where when I die it will torment my wife,  children, and business partner Cassie Mattia wondering what to do with it!

Griffin said the tree was probably dying from a canker disease caused by fungi that infect branches or the main stem of trees. He said not many spruce trees in our area will escape the infection and might soon be all gone.

I thank Jim Grethel for all of the research he did and his initiative in honoring Mr. Cobb. Also, Loveland Museum Center Director Jenny Shives for her hospitality in finding their archived photos