Ostrander Ohio

OSTRANDER 43061

  • In May and June of 1803, the first two families settled along Bokes Creek, an area that would later be called Scioto Township.
  • On December 7, 1814, Scioto Township was formed.
  • 1820 Federal Census. Scioto Township records indicate two free-color persons, both female, living in Jesse Said’s household. 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 in 1790 because the lands were considered hostile.
  • On June 6, 1837, the Post Office was named Little Mill Creek and located in a tavern at the intersection of S.R. 36 and SR 257. It 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 was 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 and were instrumental in the town’s 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 most of the land, and the North side of the property bordered his brother-in-law’s property. That boundary is now North Street.
  • Lot #1 was sold to Savage Morgan in 1853, and one year later, William Winget opened the first store on the lot.
  • On 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, and a series of railroad stations developed along the line.
  • The Springfield, Delaware, and Mt. Vernon Railroad was completed in 1854. Along with the Railroad, Ostrander received the telegraph, making communication with other communities much more manageable.
  • December 19, 1855, the Post Office was renamed and remained the Ostrander Post Office.
  • Trade tokens for commerce were standard in the early days due to a shortage of coinage. Many businesses coined their trade tokens.
  • 1862 The Little Millcreek Presbyterian Church at the Fairview Cemetery relocates to the Town of Ostrander.
  • October 1862: Smallpox epidemic breaks out.
  • In 1863, William Winget operated the Post Office from his store 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. The company returns home. On July 9, Abner Said received a gunshot to the right hip while attempting to pass the Chattahoochee River. He spent the rest of the War in the Hospital. The 121st Regiment Infantry.
    They were organized at Delaware, Ohio, September 11, 1862. The Regiment saw action in Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Atlanta campaigns 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 (G.A.R.) Post #531: The Grand Army of the Republic is 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.
  • In 1871, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was formed in Ostrander. The organization’s parent organization came from England. It is dedicated to improving and elevating humanity’s character by promoting friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity, and universal justice.
  • May 18, 1875, Ostrander is incorporated.
  • On April 5, 1876, the Ostrander Town Council held its first meeting.
  • How did the Town of Ostrander get its 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. The city was believed to be named after a resident, Jacob Ostrander. Still, it was named after Shelemiah R. Ostrander, a civil engineer who built the railroad through Ostrander.
  • 1880 census Abner Said indicates Mulatto* for his race on the Scioto Twp. Census. The 1820 Sicoto Twp. The Census states that Jesse Said’s household contained two colored females. *a taboo term for someone who has both Black and Caucasian parents.
  • 1882 Smallpox epidemic breaks out.
  • In 1884, Ostranders High School was 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 and used for 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 1, 1896: The first edition of The Ostrander Magnet by W.H. Baker was released, containing news from Delaware and Union counties and as far as 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.
  • In 1906, the Ostrander Telephone Co. was organized. It was located on the bank’s second floor but later moved to the second house west of the bank.
  • 1909 Hitching posts are placed in front and on the bank’s side.
  • 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 is destroyed and replaced by a better safe.
  • 1925 Fire destroys Ostrander’s business district.
  • 1927 New Masonic Temple dedicated to Ostrander Lodge No. 594.
  • The Ostrander Farmer’s Exchange builds a 1948 Concrete grain elevator on Henry Street.
  • 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.