Mama Bear

The middle building, also known as Mama Bear was erected in 1860 and finished in 1862. This is because town members were beginning to petition for the original county clerks office (Baby Bear) to be expanded. This request was denied, as a new building could be erected at a lower cost, so they commissioned the construction of Mama Bear. This building was the county clerks’ office for many years. Every three years, the contents of the office would be taken back and forth between the two county seats of Ovid and Waterloo, a process that required ten teams of horses.

Once the county clerks office was permanently moved to Waterloo, the building was used as the Ovid Free library from 1905 to 1962. After this, it was used as the health center for the health department.

Today, it serves as a tourist/visitor center for anyone coming to the Three Bears. During our open hours in the summer, you will find a docent in Mama Bear, there to answer any questions you may have about the Three Bears or Ovid in general.