Kruger & Hodges Celebrates America 250 in Highland County
Highland County came together for a special celebration of American history on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2026, as residents and visitors marked the 250th anniversary of the United States with two days of history, community activities, and patriotic traditions.
The Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers team was excited to take part in the America 250 celebration in Hillsboro and join our neighbors for an event that highlighted not only America’s history, but also the people, places, and stories that have shaped Highland County.
Celebrating 250 Years Through Highland County History
America 250 provided an opportunity to look back at 250 years of the United States while telling the story through a distinctly local perspective.
Rather than focusing only on national history, the Highland County celebration brought attention to the people and events that helped shape Hillsboro, Greenfield, Leesburg, Lynchburg, and the surrounding Highland County communities.
The celebration began Friday evening at Southern State Community College in Hillsboro with Fire in the Night Season: The Trial of Philip Partridge. The one-night-only docudrama retold the story of Highland County Engineer Philip Partridge and his trial for burning down the Lincoln School in Hillsboro. Susan Banyas and Rainee Angles brought the story to the stage, combining passages from The Hillsboro Story with a dramatic portrayal of Partridge’s trial. The free performance was held at the Edward K. Daniels Auditorium, giving the community an opportunity to experience an important chapter of Hillsboro’s local history through live theater.
History Came to Life at the Highland County Courthouse
On Saturday, much of the celebration centered around the historic Highland County Courthouse Square in Hillsboro. Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the county’s past in a setting that has played its own important role in Highland County history.
One of the day’s highlights was the appearance of seven living historical figures on the Courthouse lawn. Presentations at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM introduced visitors to people connected to Highland County’s development and legacy, with each figure sharing their story and significance.
The family-friendly presentations gave younger generations and longtime Highland County residents alike a different way to connect with the history of their hometowns.
Exploring the Historic Highland County Courthouse
Visitors could also step inside one of Hillsboro’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Guided tours of the Highland County Courthouse offered a closer look at the building’s architecture and its longstanding role as the center of county government.
The courthouse has served generations of Highland County residents and remains an important part of the community’s civic identity. Opening its doors during the America 250 celebration allowed visitors to experience local history in the very place where so much of it has unfolded.
A Celebration That Extended Beyond Hillsboro
America 250 wasn’t limited to the county seat. Special activities and tours also took place in the Village of Leesburg, Village of Greenfield, and Village of Lynchburg, allowing each community to share its own history, landmarks, and hometown traditions.
That countywide approach made the celebration particularly meaningful. Highland County isn’t defined by just one community. Its story has been built across generations in its villages, towns, farms, businesses, institutions, and gathering places.
America 250 allowed visitors to discover those individual stories while celebrating the history that connects Highland County as a whole.
Kruger & Hodges Was Proud to Be Part of the Celebration
For our team at Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers, participating in America 250 was another opportunity to get outside the office and spend time with the communities we serve.
We enjoyed being part of the festivities in Hillsboro, meeting local residents and visitors, and experiencing an event centered on the history and character of Highland County.
Being a hometown law firm means more to us than having an office in a community. We believe it also means showing up, getting involved, learning the stories of the places we serve, and supporting the events that bring neighbors together.
Ending the Celebration With a Hillsboro Tradition
After a day of learning, exploring, and celebrating, the festivities returned to the Highland County Courthouse lawn for a fitting conclusion.
The Hillsboro Military Band performed a special evening concert sponsored by the Highland County Historical Society, bringing a beloved local tradition to the America 250 celebration.
Against the backdrop of the historic courthouse, the performance provided a patriotic conclusion to a weekend dedicated to remembering the past while celebrating the community Highland County has become today.
Thank You, Highland County!
We want to thank the community partners, volunteers, municipal leaders, local organizations, Highland County Historical Society, Southern State Community College, America 250-Ohio Commission, and everyone else who contributed to bringing this celebration to Highland County. Most importantly, thank you to the residents and visitors who came out to celebrate.
From the stories shared in Hillsboro to the history highlighted in Greenfield, Leesburg, and Lynchburg, America 250 demonstrated just how much local history can be found throughout Highland County.
The Kruger & Hodges Hometown Injury Lawyers team was happy to be part of this historic celebration, and we look forward to continuing to see our neighbors at community events throughout Hillsboro, Highland County, and across Ohio.
