Darke County, Ohio

1793 -1934 Greene Ville 537 South Broadway Street Annie Oakley Annie Oakley Annie Oakley Annie Oakley 1926 Annie Oakley Parents' Grave Annie Oakley was a trail blazer Annie Oakley, 1860 - 1926 Annie Oakley’s Birthplace Annie took it upon herself to teach women Ansonia Veterans Memorial Anthony Wayne Flag Pole Ash Pit Beamsville Veterans Memorial Bear’s Mill Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Benjamin Williams Boulder Brock Cemetery Unknown Soldiers Memorial buchy's Camp Maple Swamp Camp Mississinewa Camp Stillwater Camp Sulphur Springs Commemorating Passage of the Lincoln Funeral Train Darke County Chapter No. 57 D.A.V. Veterans Memorial Darke County Civil War Monument Darke County Veterans Memorial Darke County Veterans Memorial Excavation Firepit For Jefferson Veterans Memorial Fort Black Fort Greene-Ville Fort Jefferson Fort Jefferson Fort Jefferson Fort Jefferson / St. Clair’s Defeat Fort Jefferson: A Link in a Chain George Stephens Gold Star Veterans Memorial Greenlawn Veterans Memorial Greenmound Veterans Memorial #1 Greenmound Veterans Monument #2 Greenmound Veterans Monument #3 Greenville Union Cemetery Cannon Hollansburg Veterans Memorial In Memory of Major John Mills In Memory of Tecumseh In Memory of the Grand Army of the Republic James & Sophia Clemens & Greenville Settlement in Long, Ohio Little Sure Shot Annie Oakley Never Forget Garden New Madison American Legion Monument New Weston Veterans Memorial North Star Palestine Veterans Memorial Richard Brandon Richard McGriff Samuel McClure Sgt William Brodrick Signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville Site of Fort Nesbit (Nisbet) St. Denis Parish - St. Valbert Cemetery Studabaker School Tecumseh / Shawnee Prophet's Town Treaty of Greene Ville 1795 Treaty of Greene Ville Peace Medals Treaty of Greeneville Trench Underground Passage Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial War of 1812 War Savings Quota Water Street Cemetery Well or Magazine Pit William Byers William Graham Zachariah Hole Zachary Lansdowne Zachary Lansdowne "Dick and Jane"
Darke County, Ohio has a rich history that dates back to the Native American tribes that originally inhabited the area. The Shawnee and Miami tribes were the main inhabitants of the region until the late 1700s when European settlers began to arrive. The Treaty of Greenville in 1795 between the United States and several Native American tribes opened up the area for settlement.

In 1809, Darke County was officially established and named after General William Darke, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The county quickly began to attract settlers due to its fertile land and proximity to important trade routes. Agriculture soon became the dominant industry, with crops such as corn, wheat, and tobacco being grown in abundance.

Throughout the 19th century, Darke County saw steady growth, with towns and villages popping up across the region. The Miami & Erie Canal, completed in the 1840s, provided a crucial transportation route for both goods and people, further fueling development. The county also played a significant role in the Ohio Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves travel north to freedom.

The early 20th century brought further advancements and changes to Darke County. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s facilitated trade and allowed for the transportation of goods to larger markets. Industrialization began to take hold, with factories and manufacturing plants being established. Today, Darke County is a thriving community with diverse industries, vibrant agriculture, and a strong sense of history and tradition.
Brief timeline of the history of Darke County, Ohio:

  • 1809 - Darke County is established on March 1, 1809
  • 1811 - The first permanent settlement is established at Greenville
  • 1814 - Battle of Fallen Timbers takes place in the county, leading to Native American land cessions
  • 1817 - The Ohio-Erie Canal is authorized, but construction does not begin in Darke County until 1836
  • 1829 - The county's first newspaper, The Darke County Republican, is published in Greenville
  • 1853 - The first railroad, the Dayton and Union Railroad, is completed in the county, connecting Greenville to Dayton
  • 1860s - Darke County supports the Union during the American Civil War
  • 1874 - The county courthouse in Greenville is completed
  • 1897 - Westerfield College, an institution of higher learning, opens in Greenville
  • 1900s - The county experiences agricultural prosperity, with grain, livestock, and dairy farming as main industries
  • 1920s - The Great Depression causes economic hardships in Darke County, with many businesses and farms closing
  • 1950s - Manufacturing industries begin to thrive in the county, providing new job opportunities
  • 1970s - The Darke County Park District is established, focusing on preserving natural areas and providing recreational activities
  • 1990s - The county experiences population growth and urban development, particularly in the southern areas

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Darke County, Ohio.