What seemed like a storage and/or disposal nightmare for an Ohio aerial photography company was turned into not only a profit-making venture but an opportunity for many Carroll County residents to own a historical image from 1964 of their farms and property. The Vintage Aerial Division of State Aerial Farm Statistics owns approximately 26 million black and white prints from 850,000 rolls of film shot 45 years ago in the Midwest.

Kienlen According to area manager Jim Kienlen, the company owns past sales and aerial photography mapping grid records for current ownership reference. He said approximately 33 rolls of film remain of the center to lower portion of the county from 1964. Roughly 72 rolls of film from 1972 of the upper part of Carroll County were also preserved.

Kienlen explained the finished product is an enlarged black and white print, in sizes from 12"x18" to 20"x30", which is then hand-painted with oil paint and displayed in a custom frame.

He further explained that State Aerial Farm Statistics has been in business for 52 years at the same address in Toledo, Ohio, and should not be confused with a company that visited the area last year and did not produce the product promised in a timely manner. Kienlen said when a customer places an order with his company, a binding contract that stipulates what services are to be performed by when is signed by both parties.

But Kienlen, at 66 years old, is not all about business. He has been with the company nine years.

"These images look like works of art. They are not produced on a computer," he said. "The framed products are hung over the mantles of fireplaces and handed down from one generation to the next. They are the pictorial historical reference for family farms and farmland."

"This is family history," he continued. "People really appreciate the pieces. I love dealing with farmers. They are down to earth folks with no pretension. And they have a sense of history."

Kienlen will be in the Carroll County area for the next month making house calls. He can be reached at (888) 239-7937, (616) 821-7875 or sales@stateaerial.com for questions. The company's Web site is located at www.vintageaerial.com.