Fairfield County, Ohio

140 East Main Street 166th Infantry 42nd Division World War Memorial Amanda Veterans Memorial Bell From Schoolhouse on High Street Bessie Benson Memorial Park History Birthplace of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman Bloom Township War and Veterans Memorial Bremen Oil Boom Bremen World Wars Memorial C & O Depot at Carroll, Ohio Camp Anderson Carroll Carroll War Memorials City Hall Civil War Union Soldiers Memorial Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Daniel Sifford House Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Memorial Decorative Arts Center of Ohio Deep Cut at the Licking Summit / Millersport and the Ohio-Erie Canal Dumontville General Store Fairfield County Veterans Memorial Fairfield County Veterans Service Commission Veterans Memorial Fairfield School for Boys Floral Hills All American Veterans Memorial Formerly Enslaved People Francis H. Game Cemetery General William Tecumseh Sherman George Hutchins Bridge Giani-Mumaugh Memorial Joe Selby John Bright #2 Covered Bridge Joseph E. Beery M.D. Junction of the Ohio Erie and Lancaster Lateral Canals Lancaster Methodist Camp Ground Historic District Lancaster’s Richard Outcault Liberty Township No. 6 School Liberty Union VFW Post 3761 Veterans Memorial Lieutenants Ross Frazier and Paul Hughes Memorial Maple Grove Cemetery Veterans Memorial Maple Street United Evangelical Chapel Cornerstone Millersport World War II Memorial Ohio's Canal System Opal C. [nee Hatlestad] Kistler Pickerington Veterans Memorial Pioneer Log House Pioneer Lutherans Rising Park Centennial Celebration Saint John's Episcopal Church Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church Saint Peter's Lutheran Church St. Mary's Church Centennial Standing Stone National Bank The Carnegie Library The Fairfield Building The Fairfield County Children's Home The Fifty Star Flag The Georgian The History of Thurston The Ohio & Erie Canal and the "Twin Cities" / The Ohio & Erie Canal and the Dry Dock Lock The Ohio Military Hall of Fame The Original Lancaster Methodist's Bell Thomas Ewing House Union Veteran Legion Sherman Monument Wall of Remembrance Wesley Chapel William Tecumseh Sherman Zane's Trace
Fairfield County, Ohio, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back to before European settlement. The area was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Shawnee and Wyandot tribes, who relied on the fertile land and abundant wildlife. In the late 1700s, settlers from the eastern United States began to move into the region, establishing small communities and farms.

One of the earliest European settlements in Fairfield County was Lancaster, founded in 1800. The town expanded rapidly due to its strategic location along major transportation routes, such as the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Lancaster quickly became an important center of commerce and industry, attracting businesses and entrepreneurs.

Throughout the 19th century, Fairfield County flourished as it developed further infrastructure, including schools, churches, and government buildings. Agriculture remained a crucial part of the local economy, with farmers producing crops like corn, wheat, and tobacco. In addition to agriculture, manufacturing also played a significant role in the county's growth, particularly in areas such as textiles, pottery, and farming equipment.

In the 20th century, Fairfield County continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. The decline of the canal system and the rise of automobiles led to a shift in transportation and trade patterns. Manufacturing industries diversified, and new businesses emerged to meet the demands of an evolving economy. Today, Fairfield County is a mix of suburban, rural, and industrial areas, offering its residents a high quality of life, a vibrant downtown area in Lancaster, and access to natural attractions like Hocking Hills State Park.
Brief timeline of the history of Fairfield County, Ohio:

  • 1800: Fairfield County was established on December 9th.
  • 1817: The county seat was moved from Lancaster to Lancaster.
  • 1839: The Lancaster and Columbus Railway was completed, connecting the county to the state capital.
  • 1929: The Great Depression had a significant impact on the county, causing economic hardship.
  • 1953: The Fairfield County Fairgrounds were established in Lancaster.
  • 1983: Fairfield Medical Center, a regional healthcare provider, opened in Lancaster.
  • 1990: The population of Fairfield County surpassed 100,000.
  • 2009: The Fairfield County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

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

Audiobooks about the history of Ohio.