OSTRANDER 43061

  • In May and June of 1803 the first two families settled along Bokes Creek an area that would be later called Scioto Township.
  • December 7, 1814 Scioto Township is formed.
  • 1820 Federal Census. Scioto Township records indicate two free color persons both female living in the household of Jesse Said. It should be noted the Said family came from Kentucky where slavery was legal. Census records from 1800~1810 were lost and no census was conducted in1790 because the lands were considered hostile.
  • June 6, 1837 the Post Office was established and named Little Mill Creek. Located in a tavern at the intersection of SR 36 and SR 257. The Post Office was renamed Scioto Bridge Post Office.
  • Wells were placed throughout the town for cooking and bathing. Wells were strategically placed for convenience. A network of cisterns were dug for ready access to water in the case of fire.
  • Mills operated on the east side of Blue's Creek on the North side of Ostrander. The Mills were instrumental in Ostranders development.
  • 1849 Dr. Erastus Field becomes the first physician in Ostrander.
  • 1852 Ostrander is platted into 104 lots surveyed by I.C. Buck who surveyed the land surrounding the railroad station. Mr. Liggett owned the majority of the land and the North side of the property bordered his brother in laws property. That boundary is now North Street.
  • 1853 Lot #1 was sold to Savage Morgan and William Winget opened the first store one year later on the lot.
  • August 8, 1851 the corps of engineers started planning the route from Delaware to Marysville. The railroad would pass through any existing village between the two towns. A series of railroad stations developed along the line.
  • 1854 The Springfield, Delaware, and Mt. Vernon Railroad is completed. Along with the Railroad Ostrander got the telegraph. Communication with other communities became much easier.
  • December 19, 1855 the Post Office was renamed and remained the Ostrander Post Office to this date.
  • Trade tokens for commerce were common in the early days due to a shortage of coinage. Many businesses coined their own trade tokens.
  • 1862 The Little Millcreek Presbyterian Church located at the Fairview Cemetery relocates to the town of Ostrander.
  • October 1862 Smallpox epidemic breaks out.
  • 1863 William Winget operated the Post Office from his store located on the southwest corner of Henry St. and Main St. Michael Bean served as the previous Postmaster at Little Mill Creek Post Office.
  • 1865 The Civil War ends and Jacob Ostrander's regiment, the 121st O.V.I., Company, returns home. On July 9th , Abner Said received a gun shot to the right hip while attempting the passage of the Chattahoochie River. He spent the rest of the War in the Hospital. The 121st Regiment Infantry. Organized at Delaware, Ohio, September 11, 1862. The Regiment saw action in Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign, against Hood in Alabama and joined Sherman's march to the Sea and through the Carolinas. Because of his disability Abner couldn't farm, so he became Postmaster shortly after the war.
  • Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post #531: The Grand Army of the Republic limited to Civil War Veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service. Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, 4278 Griscom St., Philadelphia, PA 19124-3954 215.289.6484
  • 1870 Stone railroad trestle is built on the East side of Ostrander.
  • 1871 The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is formed in Ostrander. The organizations parent organization came from England. Dedicated to improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice.
  • May 18th, 1875 Ostrander is incorporated.
  • April 5th, 1876 the Ostrander Town Council holds its first meeting.
  • How did the town of Ostrander get it name? The History of Delaware County, written in 1880 states the town was named after Mr. Ostrander a civil engineer for the railroad, no first name. It was belied the town was named after a resident Jacob Ostrander, but it was actually named after Shelemiah R. Ostrander a civil engineer working for the railroad building the railroad through Ostrander.
  • 1880 census Abner Said indicates Mulatto* for his race on the Scioto Twp. Census. The 1820 Sicoto Twp. Census state the household of Jesse Said contained two colored females. *a taboo term for someone who has both Black and Caucasian parents
  • 1882 Smallpox epidemic breaks out.
  • 1884 Ostranders High School is built from brick from Delaware Co., a two story building with a bell tower. In 1915 the bell tower and part of the building were torn down. A new addition was added in front and used as the High School the old portion was then used for the grade school. In 1937 more room was needed and another addition was added. In 1956 a new addition was planned. All the old portions of the school were torn down.
  • 1889 The Scioto Savings Bank was built on the northwest corner of Main Street.
  • May 1st, 1896 The first edition of The Ostrander Magnet by W.H. Baker was released containg News from both Delaware and Union counties and as far as it was possible to get general news.
  • 1900 The Ostrander flour mill burns down.
  • The owner of the Scioto Savings Bank dies and the community establishes the Ostrander Banking Company.
  • 1906 the Ostrander Telephone Co was organized. Located on the second floor of the bank. It was later moved to the second house west of the Bank.
  • 1909 Hitching posts are placed in front and on the side of the Bank.
  • 1910 The Ostrander Banking Company purchased a safe.
  • 1913 twenty two car train wreck in Ostrander.
  • 1919 The Ostrander Banking Company is robbed and the safe destroyed. Replaced by a better safe.
  • 1925 Fire destroys Ostrander's business district.
  • 1927 New Masonic Temple dedicated Ostrander Lodge No. 594.
  • 1948 Concrete grain elevator on Henry Street is built by the Ostrander Farmer's Exchange.
  • 1954 Fire House is built on Houston Street.
  • 1957 Ostrander Business Association is organized.
  • 1961 Delaware County Bank merges with the Ostrander Banking Company.
  • 1971 Train service to Ostrander is discontinued.