Champaign County, Ohio

1950 National and Ohio Plowing Matches 9/11 Memorial A. B. Graham Addison White Alicia Nichole Titus Alicia Nicole Titus Asa B. Bukroker Bailey and Barclay Halls / Johnny Appleseed Billy "Single" Clifford /Clifford Theater Capt. Simon Kenton Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Champaign County 11 September 2001 & Iraq War Memorial Champaign County Civil War Memorial Champaign County Civil War Memorial Champaign County Honor Roll Champaign County Korean War Memorial Champaign County Mexican War Memorial Champaign County Philippine-American War Memorial Champaign County Revolutionary War Memorial Champaign County Veterans Memorial Champaign County Vietnam War Memorial Champaign County War of 1812 Memorial Champaign County World War I Memorial Champaign County World War II Memorial Christiansburg Veterans Memorial Col. William Ward Cushman Monument Dayton, Springfield, and Urbana Electric Railway Friends Church / Friends Cemetery General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger Harmony Lodge No. 8 Free and Accepted Masons Harvey Haddix Hull's Headquarters In Memory of Simon Kenton Jacob and Martha Boggs Johnson James Roy Hopkins John Anderson Ward Farmstead / John Quincy Adams Ward & Edgar Melville Ward John Quincy Adams Ward Joseph E. Wing Kings Creek Baptist Church Kiser Lake Lincoln Funeral Train Lincoln Funeral Train Lincoln Funeral Train Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad Maple Grove Civil War Memorial Maple Grove Spanish American War Memorial Maple Grove World War Memorial Marion A. Ross Mechanicsburg Mechanicsburg United Methodist Church Mechanicsburg Veterans Memorial Mt. Tabor Church / Mt. Tabor Cemetery North Lewisburg North Lewisburg Fire Bell North Lewisburg, O. Service Flag North Lewisburg, Ohio Veterans Memorial Ohio Caverns Pennsylvania Railroad Depot President Lincoln’s Funeral Train in Urbana Richard Stanhope Rosewood Veterans Memorial Second Baptist Church Simon Kenton Site of Walborn & Riker Co. St. Paris St. Paris St. Paris and Johnson Township World War I Memorial St. Paris and Johnson Township World War II Memorial St. Paris Korea and Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Johnson Manufacturing Company The Underground Railroad in Champaign County / Lewis Adams This tablet mark's the Site of Doolittle's Tavern Universalist Church Urbana W.W. I Veterans Memorial War Council of 1812 Warren G. Grimes / Grimes Field Warren Sibley Cushman William Owen Woodstock Veterans Memorial Xue, Bian, and Sun Memorial
Champaign County, Ohio, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1805. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware tribes, who were gradually displaced by European settlers. The first permanent settlers began arriving in the late 1700s, with the majority coming from the eastern states.

In the early 19th century, Champaign County saw rapid development and growth. The National Road, which passed through the county, spurred economic activity and brought an influx of settlers. The county's fertile soil attracted farmers, who established successful agricultural practices, primarily focused on crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans. The construction of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad in the mid-1800s further enhanced the county's connectivity and facilitated trade.

Champaign County played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad during the mid-1800s. The county's location between the South and Canada made it an important stop for escaping slaves. Many residents provided shelter, provisions, and transportation to freedom, risking their own safety to support the cause of freedom.

The county also witnessed industrial growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Manufacturing became a significant source of employment, with companies like the Ohio Match Company and the Packard Motor Car Company establishing factories in the area. These industries brought prosperity and attracted workers from neighboring regions.

In summary, Champaign County, Ohio, has a history rooted in Native American settlements, early European colonization, agricultural development, abolitionist activities, and industrial growth. It continues to be an important county in the state, known for its rich cultural heritage, economic diversity, and agricultural productivity.
Brief timeline of the history of Champaign County, Ohio:

  • 1805: Champaign County was established on February 20, 1805.
  • 1810: The first permanent settlement, Urbana, was founded in 1810.
  • 1812: The War of 1812 began, and several residents of Champaign County served in the conflict.
  • 1833: The first courthouse was constructed in Urbana.
  • 1846: The Little Miami Railroad reached Urbana, connecting the county to the national railway network.
  • 1892: Champaign County Historical Society was established to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • 1917-1919: Champaign County contributed to the American effort in World War I.
  • 1938: The Ohio Land Utilization Survey revealed that agriculture was the mainstay of the county's economy.
  • 1966: The Champaign County Airport was constructed near Urbana.
  • 2008: The Champaign County Bicentennial Celebration commemorated the county's 200th anniversary.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Champaign County, Ohio.

Audiobooks about the history of Ohio.