Historical Markers in Pickaway County 24A Guide for ... - Avanti Group

History of Pickaway County
History of Pickaway County
Rich in history, Pickaway County was the home of the prehistoric Mound
Builders several thousand years before the arrival of the later Indian tribes
and European settlers.
The first permanent settlers of Pickaway County arrived in late 1796 or
early 1797 and erected cabins along an old Indian trail that ran between
Lancaster and Chillicothe. One of the first permanent settlements was
Newellstown, now known as Tarlton, which was established in 1801
along the trail called Zane’s Trace. Pickaway County was created by an
act of the Ohio Legislature in 1810 from three surrounding counties and
Circleville was designated the County Seat in 1811.
History of Towns & Villages
in Pickaway County
Ashville
Located nine miles north of Circleville, this quaint
village is located on land once occupied by
the Mound Builders and later by Shawnee
Indians. In the 1830s, a distillery was
started by Richard Stage and by 1874
a railroad was being built and was
completed the next year. The Village
of Ashville was incorporated in 1882
and currently has a population of
approximately 3,174.
The nationally acclaimed “Ohio’s Small
Town Museum” is located in the historic
downtown business district and honors
Ashville’s heritage. One of the major
attractions in the museum is the unique traffic
light, invented by T.A. Boor in the 1930s,
which hung at the major downtown intersection.
Ashville also hosts a very large Fourth of July
celebration, established in 1929, and continues to
attract large crowds.
Circleville
Circleville was unique among early American towns, built to conform to
a circular prehistoric earthworks. When Pickaway County was formed
in 1810, the new town was laid out within the ancient Circle on the
high bank east of the Scioto River. Its streets radiated from an octagonal
courthouse in the center of the Circle. When the Ohio Erie Canal
reached Circleville, the shape of the town within the Circle proved to be
a hindrance and in 1838 a group of enterprising businessmen began to
“square the Circle.” Over the next 20 years the job was accomplished
and all traces of the ancient earthworks disappeared.
The famous Circleville Pumpkin Show recently celebrated its 100-year
anniversary and is considered to be one of the top festivals in the United
States. Circleville has always been a diverse community balanced by
manufacturing, commerce and agriculture and the town still retains its
charming character.
Commercial Point
This village was settled in 1841 as Genoa. In 1843, the nearby town of
Rome united with Genoa and in 1872 became known as Commercial
Point. The community holds a Homecoming Celebration each year and is
hometown to IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher.
Darbyville
At one time, the Shawnee Indians had several villages and a large burial
ground in the vicinity. Darby Creek, which flows along the village, is now
designated as a National and State Scenic River. Both Darby Creek and
Darbyville were named for the Shawnee Indian Chief Darby.
New Holland
Located on the Pickaway-Fayette County line, the town
was settled in 1818 as Flemingsburg. The name was
changed to New Holland and incorporated in
1835. Deer Creek State Park is located nearby.
Orient
The village is located in the northwestern
part of Pickaway County. Green’s
Heritage Museum highlights many of
the historic aspects of the region and
the Pickaway Correctional Institution is
located outside the village.
South Bloomfield
Originally a stagecoach stop on the
Columbus-Chillicothe line, the town was
laid out in 1804 with the hope that it
might become the county seat; however
the founders’ dreams were never realized.
The small village of Millport was established
near South Bloomfield with the building of the
Ohio Canal and Lock Number 31 on the canal
can be seen as well as part of the canal and towpath.
Also, the engine house of an old gristmill is still standing.
Millport is now within the municipality of South Bloomfield and
the area is experiencing rapid growth.
Tarlton
Probably the first settlement in Pickaway County, Tarlton was settled in
1801 as Newellstown. It is thought that the community was later named
for British Cavalry Commander Sir Banastre Tarleton. Zane’s Trace passed
through Tarlton and was once the principal route from Kentucky to the East.
Cross Mound, a remarkable specimen of an ancient mound, is located
outside Tarlton.
Williamsport
Located nine miles west of Circleville on US-22, the village was settled in
1818. It was noted for many years as a health spa because of
the mineral spring, which was thought to have medicinal value. The
community purchased vacated school grounds in the center of town
for a community park.
28 • For more information, visit www.pickaway.com
For more information, call 888.770.PICK (7425) • 29