|
MIDDLETOWN
(Source: History of Madison Township, Franklin
Co., Ohio - 1902)
Chapter XIII
| In 1817
Isaac D. Decker laid out a town on the
northwest quarter of Section No. I (formerly
in Ross county), and named it Middletown,
perhaps from the fact that it is located
about half way between Lancaster and
Columbus. What is now the Columbus &
Lancaster pike was then the only road
through this section of country and the
travel following along its route invited
Mr. Frederick Baugher to lay out a town
in about 1815, some two miles further east,
which he named Centerville, the name no
doubt being adopted for the same reason that
Mr. Decker's town was named
Middleton, the object of each being to
establish a halfway station or stopping
place. Some few years the name of
Centerville was changed to Lithopolis.
It is supposed that Dr. W. W. Talbott,
of Jefferson, who was a Greek scholar,
suggested or coined the name, which
literally translated is Stoney-city.
The name of Middletown is also changed in
1830 to Oregon. About the same time
guide boards were put up at different cross
roads directing the travel toward it.
Whoever put them up seems to have had an
idea that in order to indicate the direction
of the town the name on the guide-board
should spell towards it. One of these
boards on the west side of the Oregon road,
at a point near where the Columbus and
Winchester pike now intersects it, read
Nogero; the supposition being that
whoever read it would understand that in
order to reach Oregon he must travel in the
direction of the spelling. The first
postoffice in the township was established
here in 1829, and Dr. ___ Hersey
appointed postmaster. In 1833 Dr.
Hersey resigned and Isaac D. Decker
was appointed. The postoffice was
discontinued about 1842. Only two or
three buildings remain on the site of the
town, although the place is still known by
its original name, Middletown.
Mr. Decker, who laid out the town,
built a tavern on the lot now occupied by
Geo. Williams. |
NOTES:
SHARON WICK's NOTE for Researchers:
Middletown, which is located halfway between
Lancaster and Columbus was formerly in Ross County, Ohio
In 1815 the town was named Centerville (probably for
same reason as above here)
Then it was named Lithopolis
Then Middletown ca. 1830
Then Oregon - as of 1902, some people still refer to it
as Middletown.
<
BACK to TABLE
of CONTENTS >
CLICK HERE to RETURN to
FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO |
CLICK HERE to
RETURN to
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS |
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH
is My MISSION
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick
exclusively for Ohio Genealogy Express
©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights |
|
