Historical Marker

Bear’s Mill Viet Nam Veterans Memorial

Historical marker location:
6450 Arcanum Bears Mill Rd, Greenville, Ohio
( Memorial can be reached from Arcanum Bears Mill Rd (County Route 34).)

Audiobooks about the history of Ohio.
Ohio has a rich tradition of aviation history, with several famous aviators hailing from the state. In addition to the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane, other notable Ohio aviators include Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, and Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world.
Ohio random facts
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.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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