Pickaway Township (part 2 of 49)

Red and Frances Fry owned the Drugstore formerly Doc Luellen's. Charles Galeghor had a department store. Ballard and Bernice O'Conner were paper hangers. Shorty Christopher and Harvey Easter were plumbers. Luther Anderson sold M&M farm equipment. Eugene Upperman sold the first TV's. Cliff Jones was a house painter. Charles Johnson, the artist, painted the large portrait of Christ at Gethsemane in the Methodist Church. Ernie Hill was the undertaker and surveyor. Pearl Dreisbach and Jessie Beathards were the telephone operators. Nolie Howard owned the bar nicknamed the "Silver Slipper". There was A.J. Book's produce where eggs were bought and sold. Minnie Lad was the midwife. Leonard Lingo, Roy and Walter Wright, George Walker and Jack Clark (founder of Deercreek Auto Parts) all had gas stations. Donna Carter, the first beautician, later became a nurse. Ray Ulm's Hardware dated back a hundred years to the Davis family and was sold to Paul Whitesed. There was Jack Dunlap's farm equipment and Warren Wright's Lumber Yard. Harley and Anna Wing sold ice cream. Gene and Dorothy Bush converted the movie theater to a Post Office and lived above. Restaurants were owned by the Wings, Rocky Mahorney and Clara Jane Richards. The barbers were Rex Pitt and Bob Willis. All were instrumental in the commerce of Williamsport after 1900. They employed local people including young people and students in the summer.

The spring had started as though we were in a greenhouse. Light showers to keep the soil moist, but no large rains, which allowed us to return to the planting by the next day. This is illustrated by the picture taken by my wife, Martha, with our daughter, Tonya, 8 and son, Heath, age 5. "See our corn is over knee high by the 4" of July." Wheat harvest was going slow because of pop-up showers causing the moisture to be too high for storage or marketing. I had slowly worked at harvest and had approximately 10 acres to finish by Friday, July 11". However, a late afternoon shower stopped harvest. I thought, no problem, I can finish the next day if the weather permits. As I recall, Saturday, July 12", 1980 was a bright day, but very humid. I knew the wheat would dry slow, so the morning was spent doing odd jobs and Martha mowed the yard and worked in her flower beds. At noon it started to cloud up so the kids and I went to the other farm, 11 miles closer to Williamsport, to put the wagon in the machinery shed and close the doors. A large black cloud was in the northwest and a few large raindrops hit the truck. As we drove south on the Chillicothe Pike back to our main farm, the wind had increased greatly and the main barn door was being blown out from the barn like a blanket on a clothesline. As the wind slowed and the door went back to position, I drove the pickup truck against the door. At that moment day turned to night. The wind blew - the rain and hail fell and in less than 15 minutes, it was over.

The children and I were in the truck and Martha was in the house. The first thing I saw was a gravity-bed wagon with its door open and the hail had piled as if the wagon had been full of grain ... and you had to open the door to let it run out on the ground. I then looked at the house and the roof was gone. Quickly, I grabbed the children and ran to the house to find that Martha was OK. The noise of the chimney falling caused her to go to the back of the house, resulting in her not being hit by the broken glass from the windows being broken from the hail. The whole north side of the house was dented as if you had used a ball-pin hammer on it. We walked and waded through the water in the living room to get outside to view the crops that were picture perfect at noon, shoe-top high at 4:00 p.m. and a devastating loss.

The economic impact by the total storm can be read in the July 14, 1980 issue of the "Circleville Herald" and the July issue of the "Ohio Farmer". As I look back, the storm of 1980 was an event that started an economic decline in Deercreek Township. Farmers with a tight cash-flow lost a year's income, but had all the expenses of planting their crops. Local agribusiness lost potential sales because farmers didn't have the income to make purchases. Farm owners became operators and farm size decreased. Livestock and equipment had to be sold and land rented to help meet financial obligations the remainder of the year.

The Bazore Bridge destroyed in the 1913 flood. Salvaged lumber used to build a stock barn on the Rector farm, that barn was destroyed in the Great Hailstorm of 1980 and the lumber was used a third time in restoration of the then 167-year old Bazore Mill, as viewed in the background.

Although boundaries have remained unchanged since Harrison Township's inception in 1810, new housing and commercial interests have caused a significant increase in population: Harrison Township - 6424;

Township trustees are: Paul E. Welsh, President, James Kuhlwein, Keith Peters, Dorothy Green, Clerk- Treasurer, Joseph De Felice, Zoning Inspector, Kevin Hulse, Cemetery Sexton, and Bill Welsh, Fire Chef. In 2005, Marvin Hoarsley retired after 25 years as Cemetery Sexton. Jim Irwin retired after 40 years as

In 2005 Pickaway County, Harrison Township, South Bloomfield and Ashville signed the North Gate Alliance Cooperative Economic Development Agreement to promote good land use and employment.

Chester Benton Hedges, Gretchen Plum (Rolland) Featheringham, Pauline Roese, Wilma Jean Whitehead (Frank) Hinkle and Madge Rohr (Frank) Baum still own or reside on property owned by two or more

In early years, fire engines were housed behind Billy Bowers' grocery store, near #1 Main Street in Ashville. A fire bell in the steeple of the Lutheran Church was rung by hand. The first fire station was located at the northeast corner of Long and Cherry Streets in a village-owned building, which also housed the jail. In 1990 a new fire station was built on S.R. 752, just west of Teays Valley High School. Paul E. Welsh retired after 43 years with the Fire Department, the last 16 (1986-2002) as Chief. Prior Chiefs included George W. Brobeck, Tommy Rife, Eddie Cummins, Don Rathburn, Andy Ward, and Rolland Featheringham.

Lockbourne Army Air Base was established in 1942. A glider airfield was located near the Dale Schiff farm. The base was once home to the famous Tuskeegee Air Squadron. In the late 40's it was known as Lockbourne Air Force Base, then changed to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. With its deactivation in the late 70's and early 80's, the designation was changed to Rickenbaker Air Cargo Center. Civilian support jobs at LAFB were abundant. The influx of families increased the need for housing and educational facilities. The later arrival of sub-divisions such as Ashton Village and Ashton Woods further pressured the school system.

In 2003, the Ashville School on Walnut Street, built in 1928, was replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art building, for grades one through 5.

Many fine teachers taught at Ashville: Avis Reid Sark, Ed Irwin, Shirley Cooper, Nelle Oesterle and Marilyn Clifton. In 1950 the Ashville Harrison Alumni Association was established.

In 1903 the Scioto Valley Traction Line interurban (third rail) brought electricity and the telephone to the region. The line carried workers, shoppers and college students. It moved famous personalities like World War I General John "Black Jack" Pershing, politicians, etc.

In 1930, with the advent of the automobile, the traction line was abandoned. The new station now houses hair and nail salons. The main power station was converted into the village maintenance barn, then converted to the Power Company Restaurant; and later Kingy's Restaurant. The village enjoyed bus service in the 1940's and early 50's.

Utilities Utilities are provided by American Electric Power, South Central Power and Columbia Gas of Ohio. Ashville and South Bloomfield each has its own water and waste water facilities.

About 1930 switchboard operators for the Citizens Telephone Company included Clara Creager, Fronie Newton, Anna Bell Hines, Irene Smith, Easter Wallen, Ethel Lemaster, Geraldine Cline, and Frances Grant. Today, cell phones and the internet are commonly used.

In the earliest part of the century, The Pickaway County News served Ashville and the rest of Harrison Township until it was closed in the early 1970's. Early publishers were Emmet Fraunfelter, Will Shuemacher (Ashville Enterprise), Edward Beaver and Steve Fridley. The last publishers of the Pickaway County News: ES. Hinkle and son, William Hinkle. Clyde Michael wrote a weekly column, "Meandering with Michael". Later news correspondents include Celesta L. Hoy, Famah Gloyd and Mae Ross. Carriers were Guy Cline, Emerson Cline and Doris Cline. In 2001, Rose Jamison became the Ashville News reporter for the Circleville Herald following the death of long time correspondent, Dorothy Cook. Some local authors are: Florence Brobeck, Gale Warner, Dr. Walter Gregg, Martin Smith, Samuel Smith, Rev. Grover "Jack" Elmer Swoyer, Harry Sark, Samuel F. Hinkle, Emmit Fraunfelter, Will Shuemaker, Guy Leatherwood, Vergie Leatherwood Wean, Mae M. Alexander, William Ashbrook Kellerman, Kathy Tussing Leatherwood, Wes Henson and David L. Dozer.

Due to the organizational and fundraising efforts of Bob Mabe, Dave Rainey and the generosity of the Floyd E. Younkin family, the Younkin Branch of the Pickaway County Library opened in 2000.

Mail delivery to homes in Ashville, South Bloomfield and Millport began August 22, 1959. Barbara Nelson is the current postmaster. Robert E. Glick was the postmaster in 1962 when the current building at 3 East Main Street, Ashville, was dedicated.

[awyers G. William Morrison, Harry Margulus, Leo Hall, Steve Gussler, John Hosterman, Alan Sedlak, Charles Brown, Brent and Kendra Studebaker Sherman were Ashville area lawyers.

Everett W. Seeds was CEO of The Citizens Bank at 26 E. Main Street for over 50 years, followed by Eugene Wilson and Calvin Gebhart (1987- ). Bank Directors are: Calvin Gebhart, Dr. Glen Hoffsis, Robert O. Black, Robert Holycross, Jeff Harr, Larry S. Schieber, Shane Roese, Danny Fouts, and Barbara Lucks.

Ashville is a quiet bedroom community, between Columbus and Circleville. Village officials are: Chuck Wise, Mayor; Franklin Christman, Village Administrator; and Jerry Pennington, Chief of Police.

Theodore Boor developed what must be considered the most novel and durable traffic light in existence. Shaped like an inverted teardrop the light has a rotating hand telling pedestrians and drivers alike how long it would be until the color changed from red to green. The light hung at Long and Main Streets for 50 years, not witnessing a single accident. The light is in operation at Ohio's Small Town Museum.

In 1962, after an unsuccessful attempt by locals to save it, the covered bridge on Circleville Avenue was demolished by the county and replaced with a modern structure. A painting of the bridge, by Evelyn Bastian, is displayed at the Bus Stop Café.

Louise Terrace, named for Louise Leatherwood, is a senior housing complex with about 120 units usually filled to capacity, was constructed in 1995. The Leatherwood family constructed the Ashville Swimming Pool in 1954-1955.

2004 was the 75" anniversary of the 4" of July Celebration held in Miller Park. In early years, an Ashville Band, directed by Hoadley Brintlinger, rode around the county on wagons, "ballyhooing' the event. In 1950 the first Miss Ashville Fourth of July contest was held. Other contests, community worship services, parades, rides and concessions, square dancing, Bingo, and a fish fry are all components of this annual celebration. In 1982, 1025 pounds of fish were fried, and in 1985, 4500 pounds.

Currently, Miller Park is the setting for the Gazebo Gatherings, founded by Dave Rainey and Kathy Leatherwood, the Lost Viking Hoard Festival by Ed and Nancy Vallette, and Fun-inthe-Sun, by Barbara Gilbert. During school, the kids use the park for recreation.

Teays Valley Youth Baseball, an all-volunteer group, established Viking Fields, 13695 Lockbourne Eastern Road. Teays Valley Soccer Field is on Rt. 752 west of Ashville.

Oprah Winfrey describes Ohio's Small Town Museum as the 'museum of museums'. The Ashville Area Heritage Society was formed in 1975. Its vision is to recapture and honor past achievements of a rural community and education. Efforts to create the museum were spearheaded by Charlie Morrison, Jack Lemon, Bronson Kitchen, Herman Petty, Charles Cordle, Marguerite Brokaw, Rodger Southward, Georgia Dore, Iona Hines, Bob Knode, Emerson and Katie Dum, Ethel Siegle, Mary Reed, Rolland "Rollie" Featheringham, Jim Moody, Bob Hines, Ada Lou Deal and many others. The museum is housed in the village-owned former Dreamland Theatre at 34 Long Street, Ashville.

Among thousand of artifacts is Teddy Boor's original working traffic light, N&S railroad crossing signals, school bell from the original 7-room Ashville School on the corner of Madison and Long Strets; USA Transitional Flag, found in the attic of the Mc- Dowell home; Mrs. John Spindler's wedding dress; "Chic-Chic" and Ashville High School class pictures.

Funeral homes were operated by Ed Schlegel, Warren Bastian, Chuck Wellman and Sons, Boyd Oliver and Spencer Cheek. A few of the hundreds of businesses throughout the century are Hott's Bakery, Hook's Ice House, Crites Canning Factory, Harry Black's Blacksmith Shop, Kaiserman's Grocery, Billy Bowers' Red and White Store, Coon's Market, Morrison's Market, Clyde Brinker's Restaurant, Power Company Restaurant, Lou Deal's Flower Shop, Rose Trellis, Annie and Friends Flowers, Ashville IGA, Cloud's Market, Andy's Market, D.H. Squires, Renick's Farm Market, Engel's Nurseries, W.H. Plum & Son Livestock, Brown's John Deere, Ashville Realty, Ashville Lumber, Fortner's Auto, Fischer's, Leatherwood & Associates, Little Donnie's Pizza, Personalized Imprints, Ashville Grain, LLC, Viking Dairy Bar, Baseball's Dairy Diamond, Square "D" Saddle Shop, Stacy's Bar & Grill, Bob's Bar, The Corner Grind, Bus Stop Café, Reynolds Aluminum, Columbus Industries, Owens Corning Metals, Pure Oil, Toole's Electric, Barbers: Mike Cupp, "Red" Speakman, Larry Toole, and Tom Acord.

From 1874 continuing into 2005, trains servicing Harrison Township were the Scioto Valley, N& W, N&S and CSX railroads. Bill Cupp and Joe Pobst operated the N& W crossing gates by hand until A.W. Graham invented the automatic wig-wag signals. Joe lost both legs when run over by a train. The Station Street depot in Ashville is designed a National Register of Historic Places as the last remaining Scioto Valley Railway Station. In 1973 it was relocated to Madison Street on land owned by the Ashville Grain Company.

Churches Village Chapel UMC, Zion UMC, First English Lutheran, Ashville Church of Christ in Christian Union, Pickaway Church of Christ, First Baptist, Millport Chapel, and South Bloomflield United Methodist.

Duvall's boundaries are considered by locals to be the Ashville Pike on the east and Bulen-Pierce Road on the west. The first log cabin was built by Benjamin Duvall in 1860 and remained in use until 1954. Of the 35 households in Duvall today, only those of the Carl McClurg, Madge (Rohr) Baum, Bob and Dorothy (Cade) Baum, John and Madge (Hines) Triance and McKinley and Mae (Wolfe) Ross families are long-time residents. Madge Baum, age 93, lives in the house which was built by her husband's father, Frank S. Baum, circa 1884.

In 1903, the Scioto Valley interurban traction line laid tracks through Duvall. It made its last run October 1, 1930. The tracks were ripped up. In 1920 the Chesapeake and Ohio RR laid two sets of tracks through Duvall on land donated by Frank Baum. They are currently used by the N&S and CSXT rail systems.

In 1910, Thad Baum sold his grain elevator to Edwin Teegardin and Tom Garner. The elevator burned in 1933. It was rebuilt and operated by Boyd Teegardin. Today Steve and Ken Gregory operate Lockbourne Agriculture.

In 1922, the J.W. Teegardin and Co. switched from making tile and ornamental bricks to making cement products. A wall across from the elevator is the only evidence of the existence of the tile factory.

Partners, John Reid and Bill Koch, purchased the 1881 Edison Oman general merchandise store which burned in 1920 and was never replaced. Reid then built a general merchandise store on the side of his house.

The Duvall post office was established in 1881 by Edison Oman. it was housed in Frank S. Baum's Hardware and Implement store from 1920 to 1926 and then moved to John Reid's store, (later Leo Zwayer's store) until it was discontinued in 1955.

When the first two-room school built in 1897 for grades 1-8 was replaced with a larger two-room school in 1915, high school students went to Ashville. In 1962, when Teays Valley School District was formed, the school was purchased by Paul Wipple and used for a nursery school. Horse-drawn wagons driven by Charley Rader, Jess Sands and Walt Hoover carried students until 1921 when motorized buses were used.

Duvall hasn't changed much in the past 50 years, except for more traffic and most of the old families have moved away. With the coming of the inter-modal in the near future, things will change dramatically and forever.

Millport is a quiet little community on Ashville Road halfway between Ashville and South Bloomfield. Remnants of locks on the Terry Reed and Curtis Cromley farms are reminders of the Ohio Canal.

Millport Chapel Community Church is owned by the church trustees. The building sat empty for a number of years prior to the first service which is believed to have been held in the early 1920's, probably at which time the building was purchased from the Church of Christ in Christian Union. Rev. Ervin N. Kirk has been the pastor for many years and is now assisted by Rev. Orville Berry.

Generations of the McNeal, Cramblitt, Pettibone, Gregg and Maupin families lived in Millport and some reside there today. Herbert L. "Jay" and Donna Jean (Smith) Gregg, Jr. reared a family of nine children. Jay's parents, Herbert and Lulu (Pettibone) Gregg, Sr. reared three sons. The Pettibones were cement workers. Harold trapped near the Route 762 bridge and sold the animal skins.

In the 1930's Charles Cramblitt carved violins, banjos and dulcimers. He walked to Ashville to purchase string for the instruments. His granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Cramblitt Pettibone, born October 26, 1930, has lived in Millport her entire life. She remembers, as a little girl lying in bed on warm summer evenings, listening to her grandfather's violin music coming through her open window. His favorite hymn was "What Can Wash Away My Sins - Nothing But the Blood of Jesus".

Charles ran a grocery store which was attached to his home. His son and daughter-in-law, Isaac and Mary (Lozier) Cramblitt took over the store after his death.

In 2004, South Bloomfield celebrated its 200" birthday. Population increased from 900 in 1990 to 1200 in 2005, with the addition of Bloomfield Hills, River Bend, Canal View Estates and Scioto Estates, Inc. Heavy traffic on U.S. Route 23 is slowed down only a little by the installation of two traffic lights.

Albert "Junior" Roese, has served as mayor since about 1970. Former mayors include William Murray, Gardner Welsh, Willard Cook, Les George, Karl Graham, Art Deal, Harold Tosca, Dave Dresbach, and Chuck McNeal.

Council members are: Sandi Cline, President; Richard Wilson, Majoria "Dolly" Flebbe, Joseph D. "J.D." Smith, Jeffrey Fairbanks and Robert Schroeder; Clerk-Treasurer, Fern Bozman; Chief of Police, Kendall G. McCoy; and police officers, David Partlow and Johnny Wells; Building and Zoning Inspector, Dale Hoover.

Vivian Michael was secretary of Puppeteers of America when it was incorporated September 23, 1961. Vivian co-wrote a pioneering book, "Hand and Rod Puppets", and wrote several puppetry plays, as well as mentoring Jim Henson, famous for the Muppets.

Clyde Michael wrote "Meanderings with Michael", folksy news column appearing weekly in the Pickaway County News. Today, Jackie Carl and Janice Wilson co-write the South Bloomfield News which is published in the Circleville Herald and found on the South Bloomfield website.

Don Hatfield developed a novelty item, called "Eye-Cue", an early form of Trivial Pursuit. David Hatfield obtained a patent for industrial ceramics.

For the twelfth year, The National Arbor Day Foundation recognized South Bloomfield as "Tree City USA", an award given to communities demonstrating a growing level of dedication and care for our urban forests.

Mayor Roese's dream was realized on July 24, 1989 when the South Bloomfield Village Library's doors were opened for the first time under the direction of his wife, Jewell Roese. The library is housed in the Village Municipal Building. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and operates solely on donations of materials and funds.

Martha and Pauline were little girls and Georgia was a little older, in 1919, when Edward Roese, Sr. moved his family to South Bloomfield from Scioto Township. Edward Jr. (Barney) and Rebecca Ann were born in the Roese home at 5012 S. Walnut Street. Pauline lives in the house which has been in the family for 100 years and which continues to be the gathering place for family activities. Pauline is South Bloomfield's eldest resident.

At the beginning of the century, South Bloomfield was on the regular line of stagecoaches running between Columbus and Chillicothe (now U.S. Route 23). In 1904, carpenters Elmer Hoffman, Albert Roof, and Sherm Rasor constructed a building for Gus Runkle. The building became known as P.E. Bezold's general merchandise store. The floor was used for dances and talent shows. The building later housed the Bloomfield Inn.

Stewart; bars - Sam Scott's Tavern; barber - Tom George; auto repair/gas pumps - William D. Murray and Les George. Paul Murray installed the first radio communication system in military vehicles at Lockbourne Army Air Base.

In the 40's dances were held in Dauber Hook's building behind Sam Scott's tavern. Rolland "Rollie" Featheringham held auctions in the same building.

Kay Murray (Jimmy) McNeal remembers eating donuts and cider at Clyde & Vivian Michael's kitchen table after "trick or treating" on Halloween. Vivian gave puppet shows for Kay; Melanie, Jack and Nellie Cook; Jim, Bob and Dick Roese; Jackie Brannon; Kenny and Jean Welch; Susan George; and other neighborhood kids. The South Bloomfield United Methodist Church celebrated its 125" year anniversary (1877-2002). Rev. Robin Rader is the current pastor.

The South Bloomfield Community Club annually holds an annual Old Village Days Festival in the Village Park. Officers are Kenny Costlow, President; Beverly Stonerock, Vice President; Bill Carl, Treasurer; and Gina Carl, Secretary.

Jackson Township, the geographic center of Pickaway County is bisected by the lower nine miles of Big Darby Creek. A five thousand acre tract in its center was the site of the Jonathan Jolliff Survey of 1774 made for Lord Dunmore, the last Royal Governor of Virginia, during his expedition and war against the Shawnee of Ohio. The first English survey north of the Ohio River became the basis for the bounty land claims of Revolutionary War Soldiers.

The frontier surveyors Nathaniel Massie and Lucas Sullivant named the crossing at Big Darby after Arthur Fox, surveyor-general of the Virginia Military District. Fox was the exchange point for riders carrying the mail through the wilderness of the Scioto Valley along the original State Road north out of Chillicothe after 1805. The first school with Peter Mickel as the teacher, was built on the Strawberry Prairie north of Fox in 1807. Eventually the township supported eleven schools. Other early school sites were: 1827 Caldwell School (north); 1829 Hulse School, the London Northern Turnpike; 1831 Lick Run (SR 56, south); and 1849 Keyes School on Yankeetown Pike in the southwest.

Two churches, the Florence Presbytrian Chapel, in the northwestern part of the township and Lick Run Church (originally Methodist, then Lutheran) in the south were centers of the community for over 100 years.

At the opening of the 20" century, Fox had a population of 25 and a General Store and Post Office operated by the Trimble Brothers. The sprawling farmlands once mapped as "the oak barrens & prairies" which supported extensive livestock herds for two hundred years, are now devoted chiefly to corn and soybeans, dotted with homes. The population has remained just under 1000, steady through the centuries, and the graves of settlers and Indians alike are now hidden beneath the sod.

In the beginning of the 20" century the day of the one room country school was coming to a close as some townships directed their children into nearby village districts. Jackson took another course, and is considered to have constructed the first centralized all-rural school in the southern half of the state, closing its eleven country schools at a stroke. In 1910 the Board of Education authorized at $25,000 bond issue. After approval by the voters in November, the concept was expanded by $5,000 to include a high school, including $200 for laboratories and $300 for 250 library books. The Board was: I.A. Jones, J.C. Stevenson, Benjamin Metzger, Albert Davison, Albert Bowers, Clerk and A.F. Krimmel, Treasurer. The obvious site of six acres was chosen, being the southeast quadrant of hamlet of Fox and was purchased for $1200.

The eight classroom brick two-story building with a finished basement was opened September, 1912 with 215 pupils. The original six teachers were: J.H. Cook, Superintendent; Miss Ava Sweitzer, Principal; W.M. Reid, grammar; Miss Ethel Stein, intermediate; Miss Bessie McMahon, second primary; Miss Mae Wesley, first primary. The Circleville Union-Herald acclaimed the dedication, "The first of its kind in the County." Soon centralization would be keenly tested by the 1913 flood which took out bridges, requiring children to cross Big Darby Creek on a rope bridge. A diptheria epidemic followed the flood.

Below are excerpts from the Union-Herald Article of October 10, 1912: "The new and commodious centralized school building at Fox, in which residents of Jackson Township take so much pride, was dedicated Friday afternoon and was the most notable event of its kind in the County. It was in the nature of a homecoming for pupils, former pupils and teachers and visitors from every part of the county swelled the crowds into the hundreds. Nature lent its charm to an ideal day and a basket dinner in the school yard was a feature. With signs of plenty all around, with music by Ted Friedman's orchestra and the splendid varied program including a fire drill by the children. . ."

The principal speaker was Professor A.B. Graham of Qhio State University who addressed "the question that confronts.the introduction of the centralized school . . ." that being transportation - the lengthy wagon routes. The advantages of the centralized school, according to je

Graham, included increased socialization, opportunity for games which would do away with the "bully", the use of the telephone and other modern equipment and the development of the school as the social center. The second speaker, Frank Miller, the State Commissioner of Schools, stated, "What does this building mean to the people of this township? It increases the value of your real estate holdings". Commissioner Miller lamented the lack of attempts at education of "the savages" in the days of Chief Logan, noting the recent dedication of his namesake elm tree and concluded: "Further, if it saves one boy it is money well spent." The Union-Herald report concluded, "The pupils were then marched to their wagons illustrating how systematically every part of the work was done." This school was in use for 90 years.

The new Jackson Township High School was built in 1931. The Board of Education purchased three acres from F.M. Hoover adjacent to the 1912 building which became the Elementary School. The basement auditorium in the older building then became acafeteria. The cost of the 1931 building was $90,000. The

Superintendent, W.A. Downing, received a salary of $160 per month and the Principal, G.J. Lamp - $114 per month. Teachers salaries ranged from $68.76.to $91.73 per month.

The first settlers in the Darby watershed were greeted by an inhospitable environment. Wet prairies with dense vegetation 8 to 10 feet tall and teeming with biting insects were intermixed with oak savannahs and elm-ash swamp forests in the creek bottoms. The prairies soils, wet and squishy in the spring and early summer, would be baked dry by the sun, cracked and hard as concrete later in the season. This soil, however, was very fertile, rich in organic nutrients, having thousands of years worth of dense decaying vegetation incorporated into it. It was this rich soil which proved to be very inviting to the early settlers who immediately set to the task of clearing the dense prairie vegetation. Initially this was a very difficult task. Later with the invention of the steel plow in the 1830's, and the incorporation of German ditch technology, the prairies could be effectively transformed into extremely productive land.

It was this expansive flat prairie landscape, however, that would inevitably benefit the Darby Watershed's aquatic life. With so much tillable acreage available there was less interest in tilling the flood plain closer to the streams. This meant that much of the Darby (and tributaries) would retain intact riparian forest buffers along the majority of their lengths. These intact riparian forest buffers would provide shade, keeping the waters in the streams cool and well oxygenated, filter pollutants in the surface runoff, stabilize the stream banks by reducing erosion and provide leaf litter, the elemental source vital to the stream ecosystem. Coupled with the high rate of ground water influx, the Darby's riparian buffers would protect the rich assemblage of aquatic fauna that would be lost in most of Ohio's other stream systems in years to come.

Throughout the 1900's many biologists were kept busy sampling the fish species in Ohio's rivers. Most notable among them was Milton B. Trautman. During his life, Trautman probably sampled most of Ohio's major rivers and streams. It most cases he would note declines in fish species diversity with rare and sensitive species such as darters, redhorse suckers and madtoms disappearing from their former haunts. The Big Darby, however, proved to be different, especially the lower reaches in Pickaway County. It is here that Trautman and others would continue to find rare and endangered species such as the Dusky Darter Percina sciera, Tippecanoe Darter Etheostoma Tippecanoe (state threatened), Bluebreast Darter Etheostoma camurum (state threatened), and Spotted Darter Etheostoma maculatum (state endangered). While small local populations of these species existed in other rivers and streams, the lower reaches of Big Darby Creek in Pickaway County was the only stream section from which all of the species could be taken.

One particular diverse section of the Big Darby Creek was a series of four riffles located directly upstream of the State Route 104 bridge in Jackson Township. Eventually, this series of riffles would come to be known as Trautman's Riffles due to the extensive fish surveys that Milton Trautman would conduct there throughout the early-mid 1900's. This riffle system is probably most wellknown for being the only location in the world from which the Scioto Madtom Noturus trautmani has ever been taken. The Scioto Madtom is a small catfish species attaining a maximum length of about 2.5 inches. Trautman first discovered the little catfish in the riffles above the State Route 104 bridge in November of 1943 and managed to collect a total of four individuals between 1943 and 1945. Despite rather intensive sampling efforts, no other Scioto Madtoms were taken from the riffles until 1957 when 14 were collected. The fish has never been collected since, and to date, is listed as a federally endangered species.

Today, Trautman's Riffles continue to harbor a high diversity of fish species including the rare and endangered darters. In recent years several species such as the Tippecanoe and Bluebreast Darters have expanded their range well upstream into Franklin County.

Darby Creek is now more threatened than ever before. With increasing urbanization, the fate of the river system and the rare and endangered species may be determined in the next twenty years. To prevent this loss of such valuable natural resources, future development must be based on good land use planning that includes stormwater management, protection of the flood plain, and riparian forests and other sensitive areas.

(From Ohio Conservation Bulletin, May 1963, by Merrill Gilfillan) During the 57 years of Trautmans study of Darby Creek at Fox, the stream changed course three times, yet the position of the four riffles changed very little. A likely reason for this is that the gradient and nature of the earth material is essentially the same so, with a slight change in course, the stream still encounters the same basic condition which results in riffles. The riffles are dangerous during flood periods. A total of 84 species of fish have been taken from this area, only 1000 feet in length, and about 50 species can be taken annually.

Madison Township is located in the northeastern part of Pickaway County and was established June 5, 1810 by the County Commissioners. Madison Township was the smallest in Pickaway County in size and also next to the smallest in population, having 794 people according to the 1900 census.

Agriculture was the main occupation of the area with good resources for growing crops. The average size of a farm was around 100 acres. A farm of 200 acres was considered to be large. All the tilling and harvesting was done by horses and back breaking labor.

Many of the settlers were of the Lutheran denomination and had to go to Fairfield County to attend church. St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 29, 1834 and the first minister was Rev. Joseph A. Roof. On December 3, 1834, it was decided to purchase land for a church building and a building was erected the following year. That building is still in use and a large Fellowship Center was added in 1997. The church is presently served by Rev. Martin Francis.

Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1856 at Marcy on land donated by Jacob Brobst. The first minister was Rev. Peter Eirich. There is no pastor at the present time and is being served by supply pastors.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1844 and the minister was Rev. Isaac Hunter. Services were held in a building erected in 1850 and used until 1869 or 1870 when it was sold to the Township Trustees for use as a school.

Madison Presbyterian Church was established on land donated by G. P. Alspaugh and the church was completed December 1896. The church is no longer in existence and the building is now a private home.

The only settlement in the township was St. Paul. There was a store which was also a Post Office and community gathering place where you could buy all your needs from cloth for clothes, hardware or dynamite. All the neighborhood news could be passed from person to person. The community of about 70 people was also served by a shoe repair shop and a blacksmith shop.

In the early 1930's the store building which was owned by Thelma Teegardin was razed by Clarence Logsdon in lieu of rent. Mr. Logsdon made a cellar from the basement of the building which is in existence today.

School children were served by one-room schools until it was necessary to build a two-room High School on Walnut Creek Pike, just north of St. Paul Road. With the advent of tractors and other tilling implements, boys were able to go to school beyond eighth grade as they were no longer made to drop out of school to work on the farm. In 1928 anew large school was built in Walnut Township and the students in the higher grades were bussed to Walnut. A two-room school which had been built at the corner of Duvall and Goodman Roads had been used as a high school before the move to Walnut, after which it was used as a elementary school. In the

No. 13 Madison Township High School. Madison Township - Located on Circleville-Groveport Pike, Northwest of St. Paul. Madison Township High School was organized in 1883. It is reputed to be the first rural high school established in Ohio. The first Board of Education was George A. Knopper, Monroe Borbst, W.T. Conklin, N.Z. Moore and E.W. Decker. The first superintendent was E.E. Rayman. The first graduating class of four members graduated in 1877. The building was used as a high school from 1883-1900 and as an elementary school from 1900-1922.

early 1960's the up were consolidated into the Teays Valley School District with the high school students from Madison Township, Harrison Township and Scioto Township attending the new building in Ashville. A new Middle School was built in Ashville to accommodate the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. New grade school buildings were erected at Walnut, Ashville and Commercial Point and were in use for the school year of 2004.

In the early 1940's a large portion of the northeastern part of the township was taken by the government to form Lockbourne Army Airbase. The airport now belongs to Columbus and a golf course now occupies that area. The airport is now called Rickenbacker Airport.

In the late 1960's the Slate Run Metro Park was established in Madison Township, located in an area bordered by Winchester Pike on the west, Duvall Road on the north, State Route 674 on the east and Marcy Road on the south. The park's main attraction is a working farm which operates as it would in the late 1880's. There is also a Wetland Area where visitors can enjoy the birds and water fowl.

With the growth in population of the township, many farmers have sold frontage along the road for people to build homes. Being able to drive to work on good roads quickly in their automobiles has made country living very attractive to city folk.

Agriculture is still the main industry in the township, however there are some businesses, mostly family owned and operated. There is Cline Building Supply; Brookdale Enterprise; and Bob's Hauling and Excavating. Mann's Trailer Park is on the site of the Mary Logsdon farm on Duvall Road. Marathon Oil Company has put in an oil line that runs from northern Kentucky to Columbus.

When people on the upper ridge of Madison Township were trying to drill water wells they discovered that they might get oil and natural gas instead of water, so a few have working oil wells on their farms. The lack of water finally led to the need for water which has been piped through the area by the Earnhart- Hill Water Company.

A new Township House has been built in 1998 and the township has been divided into the East Precinct and the West Precinct to better serve the increased population.

The settlers of the township would be awestruck by the changes in the way things are done now. With the coming of electricity to the rural area in the 1900s and the machinery to do much of the farm work, one man can do the work of ten without getting out of his air conditioned tractor cab, or his air conditioned combine. No longer is it necessary to freeze their hands husking corn in the field in winter or haul water to the cattle.

Monroe Township was named for President James Monroe, US. Secretary of State 1811-1817, and later President of the United States, 1817-1825. Early maps show that the area was part of Ross County before it was made a part of Pickaway County.

Monroe Township is bound by the townships of Darby, Deer Creek, Perry, Muhlenberg and Jackson. Madison County forms the border on the western side.

The township was settled in 1799. Clark's Run, (Van) Buskirk and Dry Run, identified on some maps as Mud Run, drain the area into Deer Creek. The surface is basically level except along the streams. The soil for the most part is clay, which is suitable for wheat, corn and soybeans.

The present trustees of the township are: Gary Moore, Richard Phillips and Ted Rogers. Victoria Sheets performs the duties of Clerk Treasurer. Ronnie Darst does the maintenance duties arising in the township.

Monroe Township is a part of the Tri-County Fire Department and the Sterling Joint Ambulance District, which are stationed in Mount Sterling. These services are financed through levies in the township. Trustees serve as representatives on each governing board.

It has been said that the news of today becomes the history of tomorrow, so history is just the news of other days. I have tried to make the history of Monroe Township interesting and enjoyable.

Who were the Mound Builders? This question has mystified scientists for years. Ohio has more of the famous mounds than any other state. Some believe that they were a race, which came from Asia by way of Alaska. Others think that these people came from Mexico. In any event, there is no one we can ask, but we see the remnants that they were here. We can find exadence that they erected their heaps of earth in Monroe Township. Time and seasons, plantings and harvests have destroyed many of these tombs of the unknown. Some seem to have been used for forts as well as for burial. There is one such edifice known to the writer. I am sure there are others hidden away in the hills and valleys and even covered with water in Monroe Township.

Many relics of these early inhabitants have been found in our township. Believe me, when I say there are those who can find these valuable pieces yet today. One such person is Mike Moore, who still has the eye for discovering these clues of our early inhabitants.

As we travel the history trail of Monroe Township, little is known of our Mound Builders. We still have a wide knowledge of the Indians who followed them and the tribes that greeted the white man. They played an important part in our early history. Each claimed to be the most savage, fiercest and warlike of all. The Shawnee occupied the Scioto Valley and the country westward to the Miami. They were known as the wandering tribe or the spartans of the red race. No tribe was more savage or relentless in warfare.

The original intent of the Virginia Military District was to use this land to satisfy Virginia State Military bounty warrants issued as compensation for her veterans of the American Revolution.

All of the land in Pickaway County east of the Scioto River was within the congress lands. The lands west of the river were a part of the Virginia Military District. There were approximately 4 million acres between the Scioto River and the Little Miami River to the west.

Beginning in October of 1783, the Virginia General Assembly passed an act to authorize its delegates in congress to convey to the United States all the rights of that commonwealth to the territory northwest of the Ohio River so it could be formed into states. This legislation included the Virginia Military District. This legislation was done by Thomas Jefferson, Arthur Lee, James Monroe and Samuel Hardy, the Virginia delegates. The land in Monroe Township was part of the Virginia Military District.

History records that the first permanent settlers were from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and even those who relocated from within the state, namely the area to the south which was known as Ross County.

Peter Van Buskirk came here about 1800 from Maryland by way of Ross County. He erected a gristmill and distillery on the banks of Deer Creek. Charles Longberry came from Pennsylvania. Christopher Cardiff came from Maryland in 1806. Mt. Sterling history relates that there was a Cardiff Drug Store which leads you to believe that many of the early settlers continued to migrate. Other names recorded are: Samuel Dawson; Jeremiah, Josiah and John Thomas; George Rowe; John Porter; George Richey; John Foster; John Hadfield; John Grindle; William Riggin; Wilson Murphy and William Williams.

The Hayes family, Benjamin Norris family, Milburn Smith and James Marshall families were also settlers. Many of these names can still be found on the burial stones in the three major existing cemeteries.

Ancestors of these early settlers still reside in Monroe Township. This revelation warrants mentioning as there is still a large repertoire of information still available which has not been reduced to written form.

The history of Franklin and Pickaway County, 1880, has a picture of the Samuel W. Dunlap Residence. This residence is still in existence and is the home of John (Susan) Dunlap, II. The residence is located on Yankeetown Pike .

Churches The West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church boasts of being a part of the original conference in the Northwest Territory. Our present conference reflects the unions of many church conferences in the state of Ohio. On June 10, 1970 the West Ohio Conference was formed. Over 208 years of Methodism has been organized in Ohio.

The pioneers came to Ohio with their families, their Bibles and the love of God. With the circuit preachers, Methodism survived in Monroe Township. Names have been changed, buildings have been razed, yet Methodism is still present in the area.

Hebron M.E. Church was formed very early in the history of Monroe Township. Revs. Joseph Hays and William Morrow were among the first circuit riders. They also had the added responsibility of ministering in Williamsport, Darbyville, New Holland and other points as the call was given. The Hebron congregation continued until the mid 1990's.

The Greenland M.E. Church, also known as the Timmons Church, was located about four miles from Five Points. It dates back to 1834. In 1853, a frame church was built and the Greenland name was substituted. Rev. William Morrow was a very important figure also in the history of the church. The circuit was divided and Greenland became a part of the Mount Sterling Charge. There is no evidence of the church today. The Greenland Cemetery still exists and one could assume that the burial ground was very near the church. One of the ministers at the Greenland Church was A:S. Maddux. A Samual Maddux served in the Civil War. One would like to think that these two men were one and the same.

Pleasant Grove M.E. Church was formerly attached to the London Circuit. Later it also became a part of the Mount Sterling Circuit. Meetings were begun by Rev. James Marshall in 1849. In 1852, a meeting house was built at a cost of $800. This building was moved to Five Points in 1871. It is speculated that this church was on the Five Points Pike in the vicinity of the one room school known as the Pleasant Grove School. In 1894, a new church was built at a cost of $2500. This church is still active in the community. It is a two point charge £ with the Derby United Methodist Church.

The Yankeetown § M.E. Church was a frame church building erected at a cost of $1500. Location of this building is unknown at this time by this author.

Clark's Run Christian Church was said to be one of the first formed in the township around 1822. The first meetings were held in a log meeting house. Membership was reported at over 100 members. This church is no longer in existence. Location is unknown at this time. The Christian denomination was very active in the Mount Sterling area. The Christian Church in Mount Sterling is called the United Church.

The Five Points Christian Church was formed in 1864 by Caleb Morris. Meetings were held at the homes of Pleasant and John Southward. This name is listed among the burials at Shiloh Cemetery. The building was built in 1866 for $1300.

The Renick Church was moved to the vicinity of Deer Creek in Monroe Township. The Holiness Church operated the church after movement. Since it was moved to the vicinity of Deer Creek, it no doubt is in the area known as the Deercreek Reservoir.

The township had fourteen school districts or schools in 1900. In 2002, there were no schools. What a difference one hundred years has made.

Courtney Rawlins, Mike Moore, Sarah Morgan and George Schein did a Pickaway County history project on the one room schools of Monroe Township. They took grand honors. We were all proud of this project. The names of the schools we found were: Greenland, Rowlen, Ingman, Larey, Pleasant Grove, Hobuck, Thomas, Hill, Robison, Rebellion, Dunlap, Tick Ridge and one unknown.

Of the fourteen schools, there were eight standing: Rowlen, Ingman, Larey, Robison, Pleasant Grove, Hobuck, Greenland and one unknown in 1992. There were just six one room schools standing in Monroe Township in 2005.

Mrs. Arthur (Suzanne) Dick Ingman School, which serves the Pickens Tree Farm Larey School, the home of Mrs. Pauline Bower Hobuck, located on the Sheets farm Pleasant Grove, located as a dwelling Unknown School on Clark's Run Road

Each school has a particular story to tell. Rebellion School got its name from its creation. A disagreement arose in one school in the district and as a result, the parents broke away and started their own school, thus Rebellion was formed.

Tick Ridge would be from the fact that the area was called Tick Ridge. Today, Tick Ridge is under water in the Deercreek Reservoir. No ticks there now.

The year 1914 was the beginning of the centralized school. It has been said that the school bus made the centralized school possible. Monroe Township was no exception. The Monroe Centralized School was built for the district. Later Westfall School District was created from area townships. Advancement of time and the Monroe building went from all grades, down to K-5. In 2002, the Westfall Elementary was opened completing the cycle.

Greenland Cemetery, located on Five Points Pike, was established in 1853. Pioneer names such as Adkins, Dennis, Bailey, Grindle, Timmons, Evans, Pepper, Pomeroy and Ryan are some of the names recognized. The cemetery is very well maintained.

Shiloh Cemetery is located on Hall Road. The cemetery notes that it was established in 1841. Readable names on the tombstones list Cardiff, Dawson, Dick, Hayes, Trimble, Southward, Baggs, Purnell, Larey and Davis. As in all old cemeteries, there are numerous stones which cannot be read. Interesting discoveries show that one family lost 3 children under the age of six years within a two month period of time. There are veterans of the War of 1812 in repose. The last burial being in 2003.

Hebron Cemetery was established in 1864 according to the marker. This cemetery is on Crownover Mill Road. Its name is derived from the fact that there was a Methodist Church nearby named Hebron. Also we find Civil War veterans buried here. The cemetery was a place of burial through 2001. It would appear that there are very few burial spaces left. Some of the names recognized on the grounds were: See, Crawford, Richey, Porter, Corkwell, Hamilton, Evans, Riley, Baker, Sterk, Castle, Dawson, Kidney and Hanawalt. Porter, Corkwell and Hanawalt are family names still known and visible in the township.

There are other burial plots in the area. When the Deercreek Reservoir was made, some burials were moved to other cemeteries. There are family plots at various locations which are maintained by owners of the land. I learned of one such plot, but I have not made contact with the owner regarding a visitation. I am sure other plats will be made known.

Originally, Five Points was called Four Points. As for the reason, I was not able to determine. Studying the maps gave me no clue. Perhaps one of the roads was extended into five points, thus giving it the name. Five Points is located about the center of the township. The first store was established by William Leach in 1849. A few years later a store was opened by a Mr. Timmons. In 1851, a post office was opened with John Long as the Postmaster. This was discontinued in 1906 and the residents were placed under rural free delivery, commonly addressed as R.R.D. This service was placed under Mt. Sterling and is in existence today.

Various other endeavors of the residents of Five Points included tile factories, sawmills, meat markets and implement stores which specialized in wagons and carriages. Stables and blacksmiths were two other related businesses popular to the time. I am sure Five Points must have had a physician or two and an undertaker. The likes of which could not be found in any prior histories of the township. For certain people did get sick, have babies and die, not that order especially.

There are no stores or places of business in Five Points today, except the C and B Farm Supply. The letters in the business represent Clifton and Barr. One historian noted that Five Points was not blessed with hotels, mills, manufacturing, physicians or lawyers. Thus concluding that the inhabitants must be healthful and peaceful. The same prevails in 2005..

One organization still existing in Monroe Township is the Star Grange. Declining memberships in the Granges have prompted other local Granges to merge. Scioto Grange from Commercial Point has merged with Five Points Star Grange. The local men have an organization which produces finances for various charitable causes. They have a ball diamond for baseball and they also sponsor the local Boy Scout Troop. This organization leads the way for the young people of the community.

Using the point of origin to the point of ending as the name often derived turnpikes and road names. Thus we would have the name of Darbyville, Five Points and Mt. Sterling as the name of the turnpike. Later the work Turnpike was shortened to Pike. Now the word Turnpike can refer to a road which has a toll, or even a road that does not have a toll. Originally synonymous, the above mentioned road cost $26,140 to build in 1869.

Many roads in Monroe Township take their name from the names, of earlier inhabitants. Call, Davis, Adkins, Dennis, Hanawalt and Corkwell are a few of the roads that are named for former and present day families.

The Army Corps of Engineers designed and built Deer Creek Lake. This project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 to control flooding, enhancement of recreation, fish and wildlife. The dam was begun in 1965 and completed in 1968.

The lake is 5.8 miles long, 15 to 40 feed deep and covers 1277 acres. The dam is 3880 feet, the length (concrete section) is 741 feet. The height (base to top) is 145 feet. The width (concrete section) is 26 foot on top. Deer Creek Lake has more than fulfilled the goals for which it was intended.

Harding Cabin Acabin owned by Hary M. Daugherty, Attorney General under President Warren G. Harding, is located in the Deer Creek State Park. The cabin was built in 1918. President Harding was said to have visited this cabin during the time he was President from 1921-1923. Harding may not have had many enemies, but he did have plenty of friends, which ended up being just as harmful. The cabin has been associated with President Harding, the Ohio Gang and the Teapot Dome Scandal. None of this came to light until kodge The lodge was designed to 3 the sun's energy to supplement the heating system. There are 100 guest rooms. The lodge features indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, whirlpool and exercise rooms. A restaurant, lounge and meeting rooms provide additional accommodations.

Muhlenberg Township was created from portions of Scioto, Darby, Monroe and Jackson Townships on December 8, 1830, and named for Francis Muhlenberg, who settled into the area about 1820.

Education was a predominant issue for the township in the 20" century, beginning with the centralization of four school districts of the township with Darbyville in 1912. The elementary and high school students occupied a two-story wooden-frame high school building (1855) with a two-room building added behind in 1911. The flood of 1913 impacted the township as it washed out the bridge over Darby Creek on SR 316 at Darbyville. Horse-drawn school wagons transported pupils from the east side of the township to the creek, where a wire suspension foot-bridge allowed them to cross.

A new brick school house was built in 1922 at a cost of $47,421.00 on Water Street across from the former buildings. In 1938, lack of enrollment to meet the state's requirement resulted in the loss of its high school charter. There was division within the township as to which school district to designate for the education of these pupils. The county superintendent formed a combined Monroe-Muhlenberg District. This action was challenged by the Muhlenberg Board of Education in a lawsuit that was decided at mid-year, in favor of the new-combined district. The new board, with a different set of personnel, operated the school for the remainder of that year. The Muhlenberg board appealed the case at the state level where the decision was overturned and control of the Muhlenberg Township School was given back to the township's elected board for the start of the school year 1939-40. An elementary school remained at Darbyville until 1963-64. Prior to the opening of Westfall High School (1964-65) in facilities built near what was formerly the town of Pherson, the high school pupils were educated at Jackson Township School.

Some notables of the township were Jimmy Hulse, one of the Munchkins in the "Wizard of Oz"; Orville Hill, superintendent of Upper Arlington schools and assistant director of State Board of Education; Harry Beatty, a professor at Ohio State University; John McPherson, a well-loved coach at Darby Township, who organized the 6-man football in the county schools (1950's), and Mrs. Fannie

Center for training the mentally and/or physically challenged the county. Two athletes were E i Ye team for the New York ¥ nhees when he was called to and Kenneth Reid won many awards at the fairs. The most noted was "Champion Diary Group of 4" for 5 consecutive years (1953- 1957) at the Pickaway County Fair.

Due to the high cost of machinery, labor, and other supplies, small farms are no longer able to adequately support their families. Some forage crops are grown for the few livestock and horses in the township. Jeff Wippel, Jay Wippel, and Cardinal Pork are finishing-out a large number of hogs. Ron Clifton raises elk. Darby Creek Growers on Federal Road operate a 3.8 acre greenhouse growing plants and flowers for wholesale. Gary Liff and Jeff Pickens operate commercial tree nurseries. Wright's Pick-A-Way Farm and Yoder's Darby Creek Pumpkins and More, both at the west end of Darby Road, grow produce for pick-your-own, retail, and wholesale. Since the 1980's there has been a sizable increase in the farm land being sold as building lots for housing.

Current businesses operating in the township include Carl Lindsey and Scott White in vintage aircraft restoration, Darby Creek Excavating, Clifton Brothers Farms and Excavating, David Perdue's T & P Contractors and Eric Gillispie for electrical work, Engle's Kennels and Recreational Vehicle & Boat Storage, Herb's Hot Rods for repair of exhaust systems operated by Chris Herboltzheimer and Leslie Cline's Darby Creek Argo selling amphibious RVs.

Clubs in the area include the Wings-to-Fly Club for hang gliding, Skydive Club for skydiving, Bill Moose Muzzle Loading Club, and the Top Twenty Camping Club.

The township trustees, Ron Clifton, Carl Lindsey and Walter Frasure, maintain 11.2 miles of roadways; Muhlenberg Township Cemetery, with heart-shaped driveways and recognized as one of the best cemeteries of the area; and Florence Cemetery (1806), revitalized in 2003, located two miles south of Darbyville.

Darbyville was incorporated in 1826 and named for the Shawnee Indian Chief Darby. From early burials and accounts, it was probably settled in the late 1700's. An inn, built very early, later gave rise to it being a stage coach stop on the Portsmouth- Piqua Trail.

the theater. The American House, a 17-room hotel built in 1824, was still in operation on Main Street until WWI. It is believed that 1e building was remodeled or replaced the original inn. Owner um J. Miller used it aes aoe house until it was ripe

Fred Hinton, Harold Willoughby, Guy Ankrom, and Floyd Bennett gave their lives during World War II. Alvan Swank received a bronze medal for bravery. Annice Slagle was the only woman from the township to serve in WWII. Paul Stone lost his life in the Vietnam conflict of the 1970's. Memorial Day services are still conducted at the township cemetery, where a war memorial was constructed in 2003.

Physicians who practiced in Darbyville were Floyd E. Ginder (1904-1938) and Edward A. Secoy (1913-1940). Dr. Secoy specialized in diseases of the lungs and was director of Oak Grove (1915-1934), a health retreat located south of the village near London and Cochran Roads. The grounds provided fresh-air seclusion in a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients and cottages for other medical cases. Patients came from other countries to Darbyville for treatment.

Dr. George W. Miller, M.D. (1882-1931), whose office was in Columbus, Ohio, was the son of a Darbyville merchant and considered an authority on orthopedic surgery. He practiced at Mt. Carmel Hospital and was an instructor at Ohio State University.

Other stores were: 1. Corner of Water & West Streets: General Mercantile Harry Moore 1917-23; John Downs 1924-47; Roy Swaneys Grocery 1950-58; Melburn Conleys, Bob Rileys and Bob Risers grocery stores in the 1960s and Sharons Market until it was destroyed by fire in 1986. 2. Corner of Main & Streets: General Mercantile J.M. Grabill 1926-39; Benjamin Grabill 1939- 56; Grocery stores operated by Bill Wright 1960-79; Red Rowland 1979-82; and Leonard Massengale who was the owner when it burned in 1984. 3. West side of Main Street between and 4" Streets a smaller grocery store that was formerly Dr. Ginders office, was operated by: Arthur Buzzard 1945-47; Floyd Brigner 1947-78; and Francis Knece in the 1980s. 4. East Street Frank Hott operated a discount store known by the locals as Darbyvilles Macys in the 1960s.

A grain and feed mill, located across from the cemetery, operated into the 1930s. It was destroyed by fire in 1943. In the center of the village was Cyrus Hintons auto and tractor repair garage (1934-1951), removed in 2005. Leonard Massie, a mechanic, operated a garage on Main Street into the 1980s. Rowes Body Shop (1980s) and Johnsons Fiber Glass (1990s) occupied the old theater building. Some barbers were Turney Calvert, Lossie Rohrer, and Arthur Radcliffe. Ethel Miller, Ellen Grabill and Wanda Speakman operated beauty shops.

Current businesses in Darbyville are PT Paintball and Supply, RS Golf Carts, and C & S Heating and Cooling. The only grocery is D & K Market and Pizza, established in 1987 and owned by David Perkins.

Most buildings of the old village were destroyed by fire, due to limited access to water. In the 1930s, the towns people formed bucket brigades from the town pump, while waiting for Ernie Hills water pumper from Williamsport to attend. Due to the assertiveness of Mayor Beverly Rothgeb, water service was provided in 1981 with a $1.6 million rehabilitation grant from HUD for revitalization of streets and homes.

The Darbyville Methodist church occupied a building that was rebuilt about 1885. The church was closed in 1964. The Darbyville Community Church now occupies the building with Rev. Leonard Gabbert as the pastor and an attendance of 30-40. The Darbyville Church of the Nazarene began in the former theater building in1954 with Rev. Lawrence Martindale as pastor. A new brick church was built in 1968, just beyond the cemetery. Rev. Russell Carson is the current pastor with an attendance of 50-60.

Officials serving the village in 2005 are: Mayor Harold Tackett and Council members: Erin Honesty President; Delores McCoy Clerk/Treasurer; John Johnson; Earline Lemaster; Richard Hinton; Sandi Tackett and one vacancy.

1963 at the Miley Drummond Farm on Drummond Road, Muhlenberg Twp. OH. 25-50 Baker Tractor and Birdsell clover huller. Robert, Curtis, Roger and their Father Miley Drummond preparing to hull out little red clover seed. Miley was well known for selling this seed.

1961 Robert Drummond on Caterpillar D-6 pulling eight sixteen inch bottom experimental Oliver plow on loan from the Oliver Corporation for testing and evaluation. Field in Monroe Twp. Pickaway Co. OH. Probably one of the first crawlers used wit 'aw in Pickaway County.

Perry Township, in the southwest corner of Pickaway County, was originally a part of Deer Creek Township before it was separated and organized as a township sometime in the early 1820s. The first settler arrived in the township about 1799, and many of the early settlers in the area were from Virginia. The Methodist were the first group to hold religious services in the township and to erect a log meeting house in 1814 at Cedar Grove, located near the present intersection of Judas Road and Egypt Pike. As early as 1818 the township had a school, which stood near what is now the intersection of Clarksburg Pike and Judas Road. In 1818, Andrew Bascom taught a term of school in a little log school. By the early 1900's, Perry Township was divided into eight sub-districts, each of which was represented by a one-room red brick schoolhouse: Arnold, Atlanta, Cedar Grove, Crownover Mill, Dublin Hill, Hay Run, Locust Grove, and Mouser. Around 1915, all of the sub-districts were centralized and Atlanta became the location of the township's central school, eliminating one-room schoolhouses. Other important events in the township's history include the introduction of rural electrification in 1936 and the construction of the Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir in the late 1960's.

Today Perry Township consists of 35.5 square miles of land, with 92.3% of the area used as farmland. The Census of 2000 recorded a population of 1,319. The only two communities located in the township are the village of New Holland, located in the western part of the township on the county line with Fayette County, and the unincorporated hamlet of Atlanta, located midway between New Holland and Williamsport. As of March 2005, the Trustees of the township are Daniel Brown, Delbert Remy, Jr., Scott Skinner, and Clerk, Mary Ellen Schwart.

Two major highways, U.S. Route 22 and State Route 207, cross the township. U.S. Route 22, once known as Route 40 and Route 10 before being renamed in 1932, basically follows the same route of the former toll road known as the Circleville and Washington Turnpike, which was constructed around 1839. State Route 207, known as State Route 277 from 1931-1962, was constructed through the township during the 1930's and mostly follows the route of another old toll road known as the Chillicothe and Urbana Pike. By 1945 all of the main roads in the township were blacktopped.

A railroad, constructed in the summer of 1853, crossed the township. The first train traveled over the route in early 1854. Known first as the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Zanesville Railroad and then later by the names of Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad, the railroad provided passenger and freight service to the towns of New Holland and Atlanta and played a major role in the development of both communities. The passenger trains over this section of the railroad were discontinued on June 30, 1930, and the last freight train passed through the township on April 1, 1976.

The oldest and probably most historical building in the township is the "Halfway House," located at 23770 State Route 207. Built in 1829 by Henry Rickey as an inn and stagecoach stop, this was the first brick house in the area, serving as a toll stop along the old toll road, it earned its name because its location was halfway between Chillicothe and London. At one time court was also held in the home when it was owned by "Squire" Thomas of Monroe Township. The present owners of the home, Robert and Jan Carroll have resided there since 1973 and done extensive remodeling, restoring it to as near its original state as possible. The home still contains much of the original wavy window glass and the original walnut woodwork. There is also a built-in locking money drawer which was used during inn and court days.

The Village of New Holland, platted on September 2, 1818, on land owned by Wilkins Ogburn, Rhesa Young, and Levin Ross, was originally named Flemingsburg for one of the early settlers of the area. Why the town's name changed is not known; however, we speculate that when a post office was established in the town around 1827, state authorities denied the town's petition because there was already another Flemingsburgh in the state. Thus another name was needed. Since some of the residents were of

Dutch and Pennsylvania Dutch (German) descent, the town was renamed New Holland in memory of their home country. The first post office was established on November 1, 1827; Sylvester Green served as the first postmaster. New Holland became an incorporated village on March 9, 1835, with Reverend Francis A. Wilson serving as the first mayor. The first village council was organized on April 6, 1869, and in September 1998, Kay Schobert became the first woman mayor of New Holland. As of March

2005, village officials included: Anita Faye Helsel, mayor; Philip Funk, Jane Ann Garrison, George Johnson, Mike Murphy, Tracey Perkins, Joe Stuckey, council; Mavis Yourchuck, clerk/treasurer; Mike Murphy, fire chief; Matt Francis, acting chief of police; and Yana McCann, postmaster.

After the advent of the railroad in 1854, New Holland became a busy shipping point for large quantities of grain and also a thriving trading and business center. New Holland continued to grow throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's and by the mid-1940's was home to many businesses, including two grain elevators, a canning factory, a hardware and lumber store, one drug store, four grocery stores, one dime store, four restaurants, a furniture store, an electrical appliance store, one motion picture theater, four filling stations, two garages, two implement dealers, one real estate office, one funeral director, four barbers, and two beauty shops. At this time, the community had two physicians and one veterinarian. The town's lone newspaper, The New Holland Leader, served the community for 93 years. During this time, New Holland was a "Saturday Night Town" as large crowds would come into town on Saturday evenings to get groceries, run errands, see a picture show, or just socialize. The town hall not only served as the center for the village offices but also as center for many of the community's social functions. The second floor of the hall was used for Saturday night dances, plays, medicine shows, graduations, and the annual community Halloween and Christmas parties. Drawing large crowds, the annual Fall Festival and Homecoming, later known as the Street Carnival and Community Days, was sponsored by the American Legion Post #477 from 1921 to 1976. Today, business activity in New Holland is limited. The three oldest businesses still in operation are The First National Bank, established and opened for business in 1904; Kirk's Furniture Store and the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home, both of which were established in 1913 by Cassius and Ansel Kirkpatrick, Sr. and are still owned and operated by members of the Kirkpatrick family.

The 1900's saw many firsts in the way of modernization. Electric lights were turned on in the village on August 12, 1909; Front Street was paved with brick in 1923. (All other village streets were paved by 1934.) Water under pressure was installed in 1941; natural gas, in 1962, and a sewer system and wastewater plant, in 1979-80.

As early as 1828, there was a school in the village; one of the first was a log building located on North Main Street. Through the years schools were built at various locations in the village. In 1887, Miss Agnes Kerrigan was the first graduate of New Holland High School. In 1899, a new two-story eight-room brick building with a library and an office was erected on South Main Street to replace the school that had been destroyed by a fire in January 1899. At first all twelve grades were housed in this building. After a high school was built in 1929, the building was used as the grade school, housing grades one through eight. The last classes were held in this building in May 1962, and the building was razed in 1970. A high school consisting of six rooms, an office, and a gymnasium was constructed almost opposite the grade school building on South Main Street in 1929 and was used as the high school for the next 33 years. In 1958 the New Holland School District became part of the Miami Trace School District in Fayette County; the last New Holland class graduated in 1962. After the opening of the new Miami Trace High School in September 1962, the former New Holland building was converted into an elementary school and is still in use, housing grades kindergarten through sixth with an enrollment of about 158 students.

Churches have had a long history in the village. Today three churches serve the community: Church of Christ, Church of Christ in Christian Union, and United Methodist Church. Organized in 1825, the Methodist Church \. as been in its cur- A rent location since the building was dedicated on organized in the spring of 1857 and has been in its current location since the building was dedicated on October 6, 1901. The Church of Christ in Christian Union, organized on November 25, 1902, has been in its current location since 1902, with the congregation building a new church that was dedicated on March 11, 1990.

The oldest business building in the village is now occupied by Kirk's Used Furniture Store on E. Front Street. Originally known as Ferguson Block, it was built in 1889. During the late 1800's and early 1900's, several fires ravaged the business section of town and caused the loss of many of the town's older buildings. Major fires that have struck the town occurred in 1883, 1889, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1905, 1912, 1919, and 1927. Recently, some of New Holland's older buildings have been torn down. The following is a list of those buildings named by the businesses that had occupied them the longest and the year they were demolished: Griffith's Store on N. Main Street, 1981; New Holland Grain Corp. elevator on W. Front Street, 1984; Town Hall on N. Main Street, 1990: Ken's (Oesterle) Store on E. Front Street, 1990; Louis Cast Store on N. Main Street, 1995; and the former hotel building on N. Main Street, 2003.

The hamlet of Atlanta was originally known as Four Corners due to its location at the intersection of the Chillicothe and Urbana Road (now State Route 207) and Locust Grove Road. From early times, it had been the location of a stage stop and store. With a railroad constructed in 1853, Atlanta soon became a busy trade center. By the late 1850's, William Propst petitioned for a post office since his store had become a drop off point for mail, passengers, and freight. Propst was granted a commission as postmaster on August 6, 1859, and Four Corners became known as Propstville. Although it is not known for certain just how the hamlet became known as Atlanta, a 1962 history written by Rendell Rhoades states that the circumstances of the time may suggest the origin. During the summer following the end of the Civil War (1865) new and heavier rails were laid on the railroad and a new switch and new depot were built at the crossing of the Chillicothe Pike. Undoubtedly among the crew working on the railroad were veterans of the Civil War who had helped to render Confederate railroads useless as they followed General Sherman on his march through Georgia "from Atlanta to the sea." The burning of the old ties and heaps of rusty iron rails at Propstville must have made a scene that evoked memories of Atlanta, Georgia, so the new depot was called "Atlanta." William E. Harriman, who succeeded William Propst as the postmaster of Propstville, had the peculiar situation of operating the Propstville post office in the Atlanta railroad depot. In 1866, Harriman petitioned to have the name of the post office changed to Atlanta to coincide with the name of the railroad station; on August 6, 1866, the name was officially changed.

A one-room red brick schoolhouse, known as subdistrict No. 3, was constructed around 1850. To accommodate populations growth, an addition to the school - another room and hall - was added to this building in 1894. This building was destroyed by a fire in November 1902, and a new two-story, four-room building was erected on the same site in 1903. The school board established a high school in 1900, and in 1906 a class of three members was the first to graduate from there. About 1910, the high school was upgraded to first class when a fourth year of study was added to the curriculum. In 1914, anew building consisting of six classrooms, an auditorium, and an office was built next to the four-room school building; this new building, the Perry Township-Atlanta High School, served in that capacity for the next 46 years. During the 1930s, the school's campus expanded to include a new auditorium-gymnasium, a classroom and shop room, and additional restrooms. Around 1946, the school acquired a 63-acre farm through federal government aid to be used for vocational agricultural studies. The Class of 1960 was the last class to graduate from the high school, and Atlanta's last classes were held in the spring of 1962, with all students being transported to the school in Williamsport until the completion of the Westfall Local School District. After 1962, the former high school building became the Community Building and was used as a meeting center for the community. In July 1937, the school property was sold at a public auction, and from 1975 to the early 1980's, Jean Paul LeDuc operated The Deer Creek Play Palace/Sports Arena there. The former high school building was torn down sometime in the 1980's. The auditorium-gymnasium and the school building built in 1903 still stand.

In an 1954 article, Johnny Jones, a columnist for The Columbus Dispatch, wrote that Atlanta was once known throughout the United States for its chickens and eggs. George D. Corlis, who raised Brahma chickens and other fancy chickens such as Buff and Partridge Cochins, at one time sent carloads of his eggs throughout the country and received many prizes when he showed his poultry at the first World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.

ford & Macy, Grant Campbell, Wiley Campbell, Bertram Hughes, and Clarence Fox; the hardware stores and Ford dealerships of George Adkins and Amos Duvall; barber shop of Chauncey Turner; carpentry shop of Lew Binns; the blacksmith shops of Charlie Henry and Michael Flunk; a tile factory; and a grain elevator and fertilizer plant which are both still in operation. A fire destroyed the Sohigro fertilizer plan on May 1, 1979, and the residents of Atlanta and surrounding area were evacuated to avoid the toxic fumes, which the blaze created. Later in 1979, the fertilizer plant was rebuilt. Until its discontinuation on January 5, 1985, a local post office served the community. Built in 1896, the Atlanta United Methodist church - with an annex dedicated on April 27, 1969

- continues to serve the community. The annex serves as the center for community social functions such as the church's annual fish fry and the annual Alumni Banquet of the Atlanta High School.

The old village pump, a relic of Atlanta's past, still stands. The well has been located there for about 140 years; in the past, people depended upon the well for their entire water supply, making the trip to the pump, drawing the water and carrying it back to their homes. The well, only 40 feet deep, reportedly went almost dry only once in 1950 when a large amount of water had been drawn. The well seemed to be recharged by an endless flow of water, perhaps fed by an ancient underground river.

County, and 5% in Madison County. Researchers discovered evidence that the Deer Creek State Park area was once inhabited by ancient Indian tribes, some dating back to around 2000 B.C. On Tick Ridge, which once overlooked Deer Creek and its valley, numerous artifacts have been unearthed from the Tick Ridge and McCoy Mounds, burial mounds from the period of the Adenas (1000 B.C. to 400 A.D.). Later, the Shawnees lived in the area.

Another historical site on this ridge is the Harding Cabin. This rustic one and one-half story cottage located high above Deer Creek in Pickaway County, was built in 1918 as the summer home of Harry M. Daughtery. Daughtery, a political adviser and friend of Warren G. Harding, was appointed Attorney General when Harding was elected Presidnet in 1920. During Harding's term, "The Shack," as it was known when owned by Daughtery, reportedly became a secluded gathering and party place for Harding's friends and supporters, administration officials, and the President himself. The Shack found the national limelight after the Teapot Dom Scandal and other government scandals were uncovered during and after Harding's term. Daughtery, dismissed as Attorney General by President Coolidge in March 1924, was suspected of profiting from the sale of government alcohol supplies, failing to enforce Prohibition statutes, and selling pardons. Indicted for conspiracy to defraud the U,S. government, he was eventually acquitted after asserting his Fifth Amendment protection and two juries failed to agree. The Department of Natural Resources saved the cabin from being razed in 1967; today, Harding Cabin is open to the public and can be rented.

Deer Creek State Park, which officially opened in 1974, is located to the south and east of the lake and is leased to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Division of Wildlife for fish, wildlife and general recreation purposes. Several meadows and woodlands surround the scenic lake. Today this resort park features the Lodge and Conference Center, which was opened in 1981. The 110-room lodge with its restaurant, lodge, indoor/outdoor pools, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room and meeting rooms was recently renovated as part of a $1.4 million project. The park's other features include 25 cottages that have overnight accommodations, a 227 site campground, a 350 acre 18 hole public golf course, many miles of hiking, bridle and fitness trails, several picnic areas located around the lake, a 1,700-foot beach, swimming, a fully equipped marina, boating, fishing and hunting. (Also see Monroe Township as the park lays in both townships.)

If you like to walk the paths of our country's heritage, Pickaway Township is of special interest. This area of the state contained important Indian villages that were Lord Dunmore's purpose to destroy. The most important were Cornstalk and Grenadier Squaw towns. Another was Chief Logan's town located on the west side of the Scioto River. He is known for his famous speech made at the Logan Elm after the murder of his family by

The Shawnee had two major towns within this township. They were Cornstalk's Town and Grenadier Squaw Town. They were brother and sister and had moved westward from Maryland to settle in the 1740's near the mouth of the Scioto River. By the 1750's they had moved to the Pickaway Plains. Grenadier Squaw was a tall, stately woman who was chosen as chief of her village. The village was on the south bank of Scippo Creek, east of U.S. 23 across from the village of her brother, Cornstalk. Near Grenadier Squaw Town was a burning ground. It was situated on an elevated spot in full view of all the other towns nearby when a victim was at the stake.

First road ... The first "road" in Pickaway Township was Zane's Trace, opened in 1796. It was only a path at first that horses and people could follow. The road passed through central Pickaway Township.

The first cabin in the township was built in 1796 by Caleb Evans. The lob cabin was along Scippo Creek on present day Kingston Pike. It later burned and was replaced by a brick home and barns which still stand. A family cemetery was located on the high banks above Scippo Creek. It was one of the first graveyards in the county. The first log schoolhouse in the county was located on a hill east of the farm until 1938. Another early settler of the township was Capt. John Boggs from Pennsylvania. George Hitler and family, also from Pennsylvania, settled in the spring 0 1799. John Gay, father of Mrs. George Hitler, came with his family in 1799. Other settlers at the end of the 18" century were: Thomas and John pert, John see John Rush, and Matthew Ferguson. :

Logan Elm Park memorializes the name and fame of a great Indian leader, Logan, chief of the Mingos. It is located one mile east of U.S. Route 23 on State Route 361, south of Circleville. The tree no longer stands but a plaque marks the site of the Logan Elm. In 1922 the circumference of the tree was 21 feet 6 inches. Its height was 104 feet and spread of the elm was 156 feet. The elm died in 1965. An historic marker marks the site where Chief Logan delivered his dramatic speech concerning relations between Native Americans and white settlers.

Mail was carried by horse and rider for many years. Eventually a stage coach line was established between Columbus and Chillicothe and the route eventually became U.S. Route 23. This was replaced by the railroads in the 1870's.

By 1830 the area was largely agricultural and most of the industries nearby were related to agriculture. Transportation became a major player in economic development. Grain was loaded on flatboats ending up as far as New Orleans. Boats traveled the Scioto River to the Ohio River and Mississippi River.

The Ohio-Erie Canal was completed to Circleville in 1830 and became a major freight and transportation artery. Canal traffic declined in the 1850's as a result of the coming of the railroads, a much faster means of transportation.

The Scioto Valley Traction Railroad Line brought its first passengers to the area in 1904. The Line traveled from Columbus to Chillicothe. It's service ended in 1930. The Line was known for its 3 rails. One rail was electrified which brought energy to the railroad car, similar to the old trolley cars in Columbus that had overhead electrified lines. ey. both the Norfolk & Souther and CSX

OPE In order to open the area to settle- ~ - ment, Lord Dunmore's campaign was organized in 1774. His troops were concentrated at Camp Charlotte, numbering about 2,500 men. The victory at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, near Gallipolis, Ohio, broke the power of the Indians. Therefore, at a council meeting they decided to offer peace in order to save their towns from destruction. A meeting was arranged at Camp Charlotte with Lord Dunmore and principal chiefs of the Scioto tribes to conduct negotiations. A treaty was signed in 1774. Chief Logan refused to attend but a statement was ready by his friend, Col. John Gibson, telling of his anger with the white men. Logan met with Gibson under the spreading elm tree that became known at Logan's Elm. Gibson repeated the now famous speech to the officers at Camp Charlotte. The Treaty of Camp Charlotte marker is erected near Leistville on Route 56, near Route 159. Thus the recorded history of Pickaway County began in 1774.

Camp Charlotte - Near this spot the famous treaty was made between Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, and Chief Cornstalk of the Shawnees and allied tribes in Oct. 1774.This camp was named "Charlotte" after the queen of England.

Nash, a community consisting of 8 families, was Z located on the southeast corner of U.S. Route 23 South and State Route 361. A grocery store was established and a post office opened & December 20, 1889 and discontinued December 15, 1900.

Hayesville was a settlement of 10 families at the intersection of the Kingston Pike and Hayesville Road. It was formerly a post office and later a stop on the traction line. Fred Dumm conducted a grocery and hardware store. W.H. Grove was the village blacksmith.

Meade contained up to 50 or 60 inhabitants and is located in the southeastern part of the township near the intersection of State Route 159 and Hayesville Road. The community of Meade had its own schoolhouse.

Jefferson was laid out by Henry Nevill in 1803 and a strong effort was made to secure the location as a county seat. But the town failed and Circleville later became the county seat.

The first church in the township was at Meade. The Methodist Church was built in 1802 and was a log meetinghouse. A circuit preacher held services in the building. The building also served as a school for the community. (Meade Church and cemetery) Another Methodist church was organized about 1808 on a hill just south of Congo Creek bridge on Route 23. It was know as Emmett's Chapel. A new church has been built to replace it on Tarlton Road, east of Route 23.

Ebenezer Church was located about half a mile east of Hayesville, at the intersection of Hayesville Road and Gay-Dreisbach Roads. The Rey. John Dreisbach organized the church in 1835. The church is on the farm of Rev. Dreisbach and stood for 95 years. He and his wife are buried in the adjoining cemetery.

These schools taught students in grades one through eight. When students completed the eighth grade and passed the Boxwell examination they were eligible to attend any Ohio high school. Students from Pickaway Township continued their education at Kingston or Circleville High School.

In 1912 the new Centralized Pickaway Township School opened with 196 students. This school was located on the Kingston Pike south of Circleville and served the students of the township for 47 years. Early transportation to the school was provided by horse-drawn wagons. By the 1930's children rode in motor-driven trucks and eventually busses. (Centralized Pickaway Township School and horse-drawn school wagon)

In 1960 consolidation of the high schools of three townships (Pickaway, Saltcreek, and Washington) formed a new school called Logan Elm High School which contained grades 9-12. In 1971 the McDowell Exchange School opened for grades 7, 8 and kindergarten. Today Pickaway Township School houses kindergarten through grade six.

Early industries included mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber. By 1830 the township and county had become mostly agricultural and most of the industries were related to agriculture. Canneries, such as the Sears and Nicholas Canning Corporation, were responsible for processing and shipping tons of corn in 1934. They employed 300 people and canned everything from beans and peas to pumpkin and succotash.

The township is one of the finest agricultural regions in Ohio and crops consist mainly or corn, wheat and soybeans. Early steam-powered threshers and combines helped increase production in Pickaway County in the 1930's and 1940's.

Raising livestock on the prairies became a boom due to the native grasses. The early families used drovers to "drove" the cattle to markets. Mount Oval, south of Circleville on Route 23, was built in 1832 by William and Jane Boggs Renick at the site of the early Shawnee Villages. The Renick family brought fine breeds of cattle from England and became early drovers of cattle on trails across the Appalachian Mountains to eastern cities.

Camp Circleville, located just south of the intersection of Tarlton Road and Kingston Pike, was a Civil War camp The camp was only in operation for a period of three months. The 90" Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the 114" Ohio Infantry trained there. With many regiments being formed in 1862, new camps had to be found. When Isaac Ludwig joined the 90", his father, Jacob Ludwig, offered his farm as a site. It was accepted by the authorities. Scippo Creek, located nearby, made the site favorable

From 1935 - 1987, Gold Cliff Park was a popular family recreation area. It offered many types of entertainment such as a swimming pool, a playground for children, horseshoe pitching, and a skating rink, complete with a Hammond organ and juke boxes for music. Shoe skates and clamp skates were allowed. A dining room was available, as well as shelter houses for picnics. Many family reunions, organizations and other large groups could make reservations for the day. In later years the skating rink burned and the pool was removed. Today the park has a campsite and campers are sold. The park is located on U.S. Route 23 about four miles south of Circleville.

Pickaway Township is the largest township in the county in area with about 47 square miles. The township was organized before Pickaway County was founded in 1810. Population according to the 2000 census is 1,851.

"T appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry and I gave him not meat; if ever he came cold or naked and I gave him not clothing. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained in his tent an advocate for peace. Nay, such was my love for the whites, that those of my own country pointed at me as they passed by and said 'Logan is friend of white men'. I had even thought to live with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, cut off all the relatives of Logan; not sparing even my women and children; there runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any human creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. Ihave killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. Yet, do not harbor the thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."

On a drive through Salt Creek Township, you may see historic sites. Amish farming will take you back to the 1800's. On the other side of the fence, monstrous new farm machinery may be working in the fields. Many folks have the opportunity to view the beautiful Salt Creek Valley as they travel to the Hocking Hills and beyond.

Salt Creek Township is township eleven of range twenty and is located in the southeast of Pickaway County, Ohio. Salt Creek Township was formed as a six mile square, from Fairfield County. Salt Creek was one of the earliest settled and very productive areas in Ohio. The land is hilly and rolling with clay soil in the northern part of the township. The southern part of the township is somewhat level with rich dark soil.

The area was first inhabited by the Shawnee Indians. They named the Salt Creek that flows through the valley. Animals came to the salt licks and the Indians boiled the creek water to get salt. There are two Indian mounds in the township, one being on top of Harmon Hill and the Zwayer Farm near the intersection of Shoemaker Road and State Route 56. The other mound is between Jackson Road and Heffner Road, south of State Route 56, on the Meaneer Farm. These were Indian signal mounds and they form a line with other mounds from Circleville to the Hocking Hills.

The military encampment of Lord Dunmore was along Scippo Creek in Section Six. Lord Dunmore signed a treaty with Chief Cornstalk in 1774. This area is known as Camp Charlotte, named for the Queen of England, at the time.