Warren County Genealogical Society
Warren County, Ohio
Place Names
Compiled by Hazel Spencer Phillips
General InfoPlace names are frequently a source of local history. Named for persons' locations or events that concerned the pioneers, these places assume new interest when the name is explored.
This list contains the more familiar names but many early ones have been lost to the present generation.
The name Ohio was of Indian origin and was given to the River which had its beginning trickle at Pittsburgh and became the highway to the west for thousands of pioneers.
The name Ohio became prominent after a meeting of Revolutionary War veterans at The Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1781 and organized the Ohio Company to open the western territory to settlement.
The River was the southern boundary and gave its name to the State of Ohio, which was established in 1803.
Warren County was established by an act of the First General Assembly of the new State of Ohio and was passed on March 24, 1803. It was named for the first great martyr in the cause of American independence, General Joseph Warren, who died at Bunker Hill. The name, chosen to honor this great man and a great cause, is of interest in this collection of place names.
Warren County was made up of the Virginia Military Land, given for military service, which was all of the county east of the Little Miami River; the Symmes' Purchase, west of the Little Miami and south of an east-west line passing about a mile north of the present city of Lebanon; and the Congress Lands, which were transferred immediately to the occupant or purchaser by the officers of the Government, comprising all the land west of the Little Miami River and north of the Symmes' Purchase. The Symmes' land was named for John Cleve Symmes who purchased this land from the U.S. Government for resale to settlers.
Waterways
The names of the waterways in the county record many historic facts. The Great Miami and the Little Miami received these names from the tribe of Indians who roamed this area when it was first occupied by pioneer settlers.
Turtle Creek was named for the great Chief Little Turtle of the same tribe. | |
Caesars Creek is said to have been named for a faithful colored slave who was buried on its banks. | |
Todds Fork carries the name of Robert Todd who came from Kentucky to survey that section. | |
Other creeks bear the names of pioneers who located along the waterways. One such is Reeders Run where David Reeder purchased 320 acres of land west of Lebanon in 1797. Other such names are Ertle Run, Jonahs Run, Cottle Run, Newman Run, Martin Run, Hall's Creek and Linton Ditch. | |
In recent years more family names have been used, occasionally substituted for older names, as shown on modern maps. Most of them are familiar to Warren County natives: Dearth's Run, Wolfe Creek, Miller, Baker, Fannie Tullis, Weaver, Green, Dugan, Roser, Riley, Emley Satterthwaite, Dakin, Cook, Rich, Cowan, Mulford, Irons and Foley are a few. | |
The Shakers, who established their community west of Lebanon in 1805, lent their name to Shaker Creek where their mills were located, and Shaker Swamp, whose treacherous lands and waters played havoc with the Warren County Canal. | |
Station Creek was so-named after William Bedle established Bedle Station and built the only block house in Warren County in the autumn of 1795. | |
Clear Creek was named for its clear waters. Muddy Creek and Little Muddy, obviously less clear. Dry Run for its condition at certain seasons and Salt Run for the same reason. | |
The names of Twin Creek, First Creek and Second Creek, as well as Flat Fork seem justified. | |
Other waterways incite wonder or curiosity, such as Turkey Run, Goose Creek and Gander Run, Dog Run, Bear Run, Hen Run, and perhaps Lick Run. To be added are: Coon Run, Bitter, Bee Run, Plum Run, Bull Run, and Rat Tail Branch. | |
Sugar Creek probably slashed a sugar maple grove, but how did Grog Run happen to have its name? | |
Conocoche Creek was named by Samuel Walker who came from that area in Pennsylvania. There must certainly be other place names reminding the historians of "back home" locations. |
Taverns
In the early years of our nation when less than half of population could read, a law was passed making it necessary for all taverns to display a picture sign. Even the most unlearned traveler could see such a sign and understand that he had reached this destination The most colorful chapter in the history of place names in our county is the result of that practice.
Among the taverns of Warren County with picturesque signs were: The Black Horse, The Golden Lamb, The Red Lion, The Black Bear, The White Horse, Two White Horses, The Black Hawk, The Bull's Head, The Red Buck, The Blue Ball, The Green Tree, The Crossed Keys, The George Washington, Goddess of Liberty, Andrew Jackson and many others.
Townships
The township names are of interest too
Franklin Township was established May 10, 1803. It took its name for the town within its borders and was one of the four original townships in the county. | |
Wayne Township, also established May 10, 1803 was named for the settlement within its borders, and was one of the original four. | |
Deerfield Township was organized at the same time, May 10,1803, and its name derived from the many salt licks where deer came to lick the saline waters. | |
Hamilton Township, another of the original four, was established May 10,1803, and named for Alexander Hamilton. | |
Turtlecreek Township, established August 15, 1804, was named for Chief Little Turtle and for the creek of that name which crossed it. | |
Eaton Township was established in 1806 and was a large area in the northeast section of the county. This township was in the land granted to Clinton County in 1810 and is the only township name lost to the County. It was named for Jonah Eaton who made his home in a large sycamore tree. | |
Salem Township was formed from a part of Hamilton Township in June, 1813. In 1860 it was briefly called Corwin Township but soon returned to the original name. | |
Union Township was established January 3, 1815. It embraced land from Turtle Creek and Deerfield Townships. | |
Clearcreek Township was established October, 1817 and named for the large creek which stretched across the township. | |
Washington Township was established June 8, 1818. Named for George Washington who died as the first settlements were made here. | |
Massie Township was established October 10, 1850 and was named for General Nathaniel Massie who surveyed the area in 1792. | |
Harlan Township was established March 16, 1860. It was the last of the Warren County Townships to be established. Formed from part of Salem Township it was named for George Harlan, an early settler. [date corrected - originally listed as "1850"] |
There are many crossroads, cemeteries, hills and valleys that bear interesting names and could be added to this list. Spook Hollow, a low valley running from Rt. 48 to East 73, through an old cemetery, has long been associated with spooks. Summer breezes down, this valley carry whispers of ghostswinter gales carry wailing shrieks. Thus nature itself lends reality to names.
Place Name |
Description |
Township |
Beech Grove |
Named for a large Beech Grove where a Freewill Baptist Church was established in 1849. |
Massie Twp |
Beedles Station |
Named for William Beedle who came with his family in 1795 and built the only block house in Warren County. A bronze marker, placed by the Warren Co. Historical Society, records the site today. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Binns |
A Family name. |
Harlan Twp |
Black Hawk |
Named for an Indian leader, Black Hawk, it was platted in 1838 with 26 lots. |
Harlan Twp |
Blue Ball |
Located in both Warren and Butler counties. The settlement was named from the Blue Ball Tavern located at the cross road. The road from the Red Lion to Middletown, by the way of Blue Ball, was named Irish Road. |
Franklin Twp |
Bowyer |
Settled by the Bower family. |
Deerfield Twp |
Browns Store |
Was Established as a Post Office on August 21, 1841, with Samuel Brown named Postmaster. Discontinued in 1858. |
Not Located |
Butlerville |
Named for Abram B. Butler. The town was laid out in 1838 and incorporated, with additions to the original plat, in 1851. Was made a Post Office on December 17, 1838. |
Harlan Twp |
Butterworth Station |
Named as a station on the Little Miami Railroad on the land of Benjamin Butterworth. |
Hamilton Twp |
Carlisle |
This was first named Jersey Settlement when settled by New Jersey pioneers in 1804. James Tapscott gave land for the Tapscott Meeting House in 1814. The name was changed to Carlisle in 1850, when Hon. John Carlisle, of Cincinnati, bought a tract of land and divided it into lots. |
Franklin Twp |
Clarksville |
Established in 1875. |
Washington Twp |
Comargo |
Presumed to be of Indian origin. |
Harlan Twp |
Corwin |
The station for Waynesville on Little Maimi Railroad. Was named for Governor Thomas Corwin. |
Wayne Twp |
Cozaddale |
Named for John J. Cozad who built the town (1871). |
Harlan Twp |
Cranetown |
A settlement of Crane families, located northeast of Pekin. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Crosswicks |
Founded by James Jennings, July 1821, it then contained twelve lots. |
Wayne Twp |
Dallasburg |
Established as a Post Office on August 22, 1848 with William Wene, Postmaster. |
Hamilton Twp |
Deerfield |
Named for deer licks in area. Post Office established January 1, 1805, with Ephraim Kibbey, Postmaster. (Now called South Lebanon). |
Union Twp |
Doods |
Changed from Utica when Post Office was established. Was a Station on DL&C Railroad with canning factory, school, and church. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Dunlavy |
Post Office established January 17, 1850, with B. A. Stokes, Postmaster. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Edgewood |
At crossing of Dayton, Lebanon & Cincinnati Railroad on present St. Route 73. |
Wayne Twp |
Edwardsville |
First town in Harlan Township. Established by Edward Thomas 1824; the town was named for him. |
Harlan Twp |
Five Points |
At the junction of five roads in Clear Creek Township; it was a small settlement of school, blacksmith shop and homes. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Flat Fork |
A School and church on Flat Fork Creek. |
Massie Twp |
Floraville |
South hill section of Lebanon, so called for many fine flowers grown in the gardens a century ago. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Fort Ancient |
Mound builder area built as a fort on top of hill in prehistoric days. A Post Office was established on the Little Miami Railroad May 28, 1846, with Thomas C. Nelson Postmaster. This village no longer exists. |
Washington Twp |
Foster |
Formerly Fosters Crossing named for Foster family. Post Office established October 27, 1859, with James T. Matthews as first Postmaster. |
Deerfield Twp |
Fosters Crossing |
Changed to Foster when bridge was built in 1900. |
Deerfield Twp |
Franklin |
The town was laid out by William C. Schenck and Daniel C. Cooper in 1796, on the Great Miami River. A Post Office was established April 1, 1805 with John N. C. Schenck Postmaster. |
Franklin Twp |
Frederickburg |
This village was located on Little Miami River, was laid out in 1818 by Nathan Howell and contained fourteen lots. Now a part of Morrow. |
Salem Twp |
Freeport |
On the Little Miami River, it was established by Nebo Gaunt who built a mill here in 1800. Later called Oregon and finally Oregonia. |
Washington Twp |
Gainesboro |
Named for Gaines family. Post Office established January 18, 1822 with Jacob Reeder, Postmaster. Later called Kings Mills, when Kings powder mills were built there. |
Deerfield Twp |
Genntown |
Named for Colonel Jethro Genn, who located a short distance northeast of Lebanon. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Green Tree |
Originally (1816) called Morristown for its founder Morris. Later called Green Tree from tavern of that name. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Gum Grove |
A small settlement named for a neighborhood school located in a grove of Gum trees. |
Washington Twp |
Hageman |
Settlement named for Rev. R. S. Hageman, (minister & farmer) as Camp Hageman. Post Office established May 9, 1879, with John B. Jack as Postmaster. Called Hageman Station or Camp Hageman. |
Union Twp |
Hammel |
This settlement was laid out about time the Little Miami Railroad was constructed (in 1844) and took the name of its proprietor. It was located on East side of Little Miami across from Millgrove. |
Washington Twp |
Harveysburg |
Was laid out in 1827 and was named for Willaim Harvey. The Post Office was established August 3, 1839, with Robert E. Lefetra, Postmaster. |
Massie Twp |
Henpeck |
Origin of name unknown. Listed in 1875 Atlas. |
Massie Twp |
Hickoryville |
Hickory groves gave the name. Located South of Harveysburg. |
Massie Twp |
Hicks |
Named for Elias Hicks, Quaker. |
Wayne Twp |
Hicks Station |
Named for J. Hicks. |
Harlan Twp |
Hopkinsville |
Established by John Hopkins. Was made a Post Office February 25, 1825, with James Hopkins, Postmaster. |
Hamilton Twp |
Jersey Settlement |
Settled in 1804-5 by Arthur Vanderveer, William Barklow and others from Freehold, New Jersey, now Carlisle. |
Franklin Twp |
Kings Mills |
Named for Ahimaaz King, founder of King Powder Company. Originally established in Gainesboro. |
Deerfield Twp |
Kirkwood |
A Post Office was established here on July 27, 1829. The Postmaster was William N. Kirkwood. Originally called Palmyra. The name was changed to Mason in 1835, honoring William Mason. |
Deerfield Twp |
Kitchener |
Station on Dayton, Lebanon & Cincinnati Railroad at Pekin Road crossing. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Lebanon |
Established 1802, named for Biblical Cedars of Lebanon, and called The Cedar City. Post Office established April 1, 1805, with William Ferguson, Postmaster. Chosen county seat because of central location in county. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Level |
First called Winsor Station and later Level Station located about three miles east of Butlerville on the M&C RR. Post Office established February 1834 with Thomas Adams, Postmaster. |
Harlan Twp |
Liberty Hall |
Post Office established October 25, 1848 with David brown, Postmaster. Discontinued August 12, 1851. |
Deerfield Twp |
Maineville |
First called Yankeetown. Settled by pioneers from Maine in 1818. Established as Post Office January 14, 1854, with James Ford, Postmaster. |
Hamilton Twp |
Mary Ellen |
Now part of South Lebanon. |
Union Twp |
Mason |
Named for Major William Mason who established the town in 1815 and called it Palmyra. Established as post Office, called Kirkwood July 27, 1829, it was changed to Mason in 1835. |
Deerfield Twp |
Mathers Mill |
David Van Schoyck and Lewis Rees settled here prior to 1807. Lewis Rees built a mill in 1807, and sold it to Richard Matherm who name was given the settlement. |
Washington Twp |
Merritstown |
Established by Caleb and Abram Merritt who built a drain tile factory here in 1816. Had church, school, cabinet maker, and a number of homes. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Middleboro (Middleborough) |
On Goshen and Wilmington Pike about 5 miles northeast of Butlerville. It was laid out by George Bowman in August 1838. |
Harlan Twp |
Millgrove |
Millgrove was settled early in the present century on the Little Miami River. It contained a grist and sawmill, a dry goods store and a paper mill. A Post Office was established on January 9, 1832, with PostMaster James S. Duvall, which was discontinued in 1845. |
Union Twp |
Millsborough |
Settlement in 1804 on Little Miami River. Later called Stubbtown from Stubbs mills located there. |
Salem Twp |
Mormontown |
Settled by Mormons 1840 became Socialville when Mormons moved west. |
Deerfield Twp |
Milthompson |
A stop on CL&N Railroad. |
Deerfield Twp |
Morristown |
Platted as town by Morris in 1816. Later called Green Tree from the Green Tree Tavern which was built at the crossroads of the settlement. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Morrow |
Established in 1844. Named for Gov. Jeremiah Morrow, Ohios first member of Congress. Post Office established November 5, 1845. Postmaster Warren Morrison. |
Salem Twp |
Mount Holly |
Named for Mount Holly, New Jersey; it was established July 1833 by Jacob Pearson with twenty-five lots. Established as Post Office March 8, 1843 with Samuel Hill, Postmaster, discontinued 1863. |
Wayne Twp |
Mounts Station |
Settled by William Mounts and others in 1795, who built their cabins around a large spring. A bronze marker placed by the Warren Co. Historical Society marks the site. |
Salem Twp |
Moxley |
|
Harlan Twp |
Murdoch |
Named for Professor James E. Murdoch, Shakesperian actor and reader. Post Office established on May 4, 1866 with William H. Walker Postmaster. |
Hamilton Twp |
New Columbia |
Established in 1882. Later became Pleasant Plain. |
Harlan Twp |
Oakland |
Established by James Murray in December 1806 with seventy-two lots. |
Wayne Twp |
Oregon |
Now Oregonia, was first called Freeport. Post Office established as Oregon February 8, 1846 with William H. Hamilton Postmaster. |
Washington Twp |
Oregonia |
Founded by Nebo Gaunt who built one of the first mills on Little Miami in 1800. Was first called Freeport. (Oregon post Office established February 8, 1846). |
Washington Twp |
Osceola |
Named for Indian leader, the village was laid out in 1838. Located on the Goshen, Wilmington and Columbus turnpike. |
Harlan Twp |
Olive Branch |
Joel Drake and Jordan Drake settled Olive Branch about 1810. |
Washington Twp |
Palmyra |
Established 1815 by Major William Mason and was later called Mason. |
Deerfield Twp |
Pekin |
Small cross roads settlement, established as post office December 8, 1874 with David W. Earnhart, Postmaster. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Pence Mills |
Post office established June 21, 1867. Postmaster Edward M. Pence. Discontinued 1872. |
Wayne Twp |
Pleasant Plain |
Was called New Columbia and also called Plum Sock. Post Office established June 29, 1857 with Peter Spurling Postmaster. |
Harlan Twp |
Raysville |
Established November 1855 by M. Mills and others. The town contained twenty-two lots. |
Wayne Twp |
Roachester |
Settled in 1816 and once called Salem. Later named for Malon Roach who laid out the town. Post Office established September 13, 1825, with Oliver Cook, Postmaster. Discontinued July 16, 1853. |
Salem Twp |
Red Lion |
Originally called Westfield by Abner Crane who platted it in 1817 but the Red Lion Tavern became so well known that common usage called for a change of name. Post Office established February 2, 1834 with John S. Todd, Postmaster. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Ridgeville |
Platted and named by Fergus McLean in 1815 and located on top of a ridge. Post Office established October 1, 1816 with John Blair Postmaster. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Rossburg |
Named for Enoch A. Ross who built a tannery there in 1820. Post office established January 19, 1833, with Jefferson Stevens, Postmaster. Changed to Butlerville, 1838. |
Harlan Twp |
Scottsville |
Post Office established July 8, 1852 with John C. Bercaw, Postmaster. Discontinued 1855. |
Deerfield Twp |
Senior Powder Mills |
Made gum powder during First World War. |
Washington Twp |
Shakertown |
So-called because Shakers settled there in 1805. Later (1810) became Union Village. Now known as Otterbein Village. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Silver Grove |
Settled around a pioneer school and Baptist Church. |
Washington Twp |
Socialville |
Settled by Mormons 1840 once called Mormontown. Post Office established May 1, 1878 with Abel Conover, Postmaster. |
Deerfield Twp |
South Lebanon |
Established as Deerfield in 1795. Name was changed when railroad was built. Post Office established July 28, 1871 as South Lebanon with John Cooper, Postmaster. |
Union Twp |
Spences Station |
Named for Spence family, first settlers. |
Harlan Twp |
Springboro |
Settled in 1815. Named for many never-failing springs in area. (First suggested Wrightsville, for founder, Jonathan Wright). Post Office established March 8, 1821, with John Penington, Postmaster. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Spring Hill |
One of earliest settlements in township. Was camping grounds of Indians. Established by four or five families including Solomon and Hester Reed. |
Washington Twp |
Stubbtown |
Isaac Stubbs came from Georgia and purchased the grist mill of Jabish Philips built in 1802. He added other mills and called the town Millsborough. But it was soon called Stubbs Mills or Stubbtown. |
Salem Twp |
Taylorsville |
East end subdivision of Lebanon. Named for a blacksmith named Jefferson Taylor. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Turtle Creek |
The settlement in the Lebanon area was called Turtle Creek until the town was established in 1802 and named Lebanon. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Twenty Mile Stand |
Was twenty-mile stage-coach stop from Cincinnati. Post Office established September 28, 1824, with Samuel Clendenen, Postmaster. |
Deerfield Twp |
Union Village |
Settled by Shakers officially called the United Society of Believers. Called Shakertown in 1805. |
Turtlecreek Twp |
Unity |
Settlement around the land given by J. D. Lowe for first burying ground in township. |
Deerfield Twp |
Utica |
Later changed to Dodds- 1881. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Venable |
Stop on DL&C Railroad. Named for William Venable in 1856. |
Clearcreek Twp |
Waynesville |
Established in 1796. Named for General Anthony Wayne. Made first Post Office April 1, 1804, with Samuel Heighway, Jr., Postmaster. |
Wayne Twp |
Wellman |
Settlement of a dozen lots on Harveysburg-Oregonia Road. Frequently called Henpeck. |
Massie Twp |
Westfield |
Established 1817. Name changed to Red Lion. |
Clearcreek Twp |
West Woodville |
Settled both in Warren county & Clermont county. |
Harlan Twp |
Winsor Station |
Now called Level. |
Harlan Twp |
Yankeetown |
Settled by Yankees from Maine. Changed to Maineville in 1850. |
Hamilton Twp |
Zoar |
Named by German settlers. Was manufacturing area in 1800s. |
Hamilton Twp |
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This page was last updated on 1/27/03