| County History
Forays of Josia Harmar and Arthur St. Clair
into the Northwest Territory in 1789 and 1791, respectively, met defeat. St. Clair had
established a post at Fort Jefferson during his time in the area.
Anthony Wayne arrived in Greene Ville in
1793 and built the largest fortification on the western frontier. After the signing of the
Treaty of Greene Ville between Wayne and representatives of the Wyandot, Delaware, Miami,
Shawnee, Pottawatomi, Chippewa, Ottawa, Kickapoo, Kaskasia, Piankeshaw, Eel Recer, and Wea
nations on August 3, 1795, the area opened for settlement.
The fort at Greene Ville was burned in 1796
and the nails and other materials used in construction by the first settlers of Montgomery
County.
Between 1796 amd 1804 Tecumseh and his
brother The Prophet established a village above Greenville on the west side of Mud Creek
called Prophetstown.
In 1807 Azor Scribner came to the area with
trade goods. Samuel Boyd and family also settled in Greenville Township in 1807. In 1808
John Devor purchased the site of Fort Greene Ville and platted it in August. Early
settlers fought disease as well as the vast swamp land and forest that was Darke County in
the early 19th century.
In January 1809, Darke County was created
from Miami County. It is named for Col. William Darke who had served with Harmar,
St. Clair, and Wayne.
In 1812 a small stockade was erected at
Greenville and garrisoned during the second war with England. At the end of the War
of 1812 and the defeat of Tecumseh and the Prophet in 1813, a second treaty was signed
with the Indians August 20, 1814, by William Henry Harrison who had been Anthony Wayne's
aid in 1795. For the two treaties Greenville is known as the Treaty City.
The county was then organized in the spring
of 1817. As various settlers moved into the area, townships and hamlets were
created. As the need arose, the settlements grew and were platted. For the
next 70 years, the lands were cleared and settlements established. By 1879 most of
the 20 townships and various villages had been platted.
Most of Darke County's history may be viewed
in the six wings of the beautiful Garst Museum.
Darke County is conveniently located for
today's travelers!
Darke County is just 11 miles from
Interstate 75 and six miles from Interstate 70.
Greenville, Darke County's largest city,
is just 26 miles from 75 and 23 miles from 70. Greenville is 38 miles from Dayton, 82
miles from Cincinnati, 101 miles from Columbus, 107 mile from Indianapolis, and 145 miles
from Toledo.
Union City, Ohio and Union City,
Indiana
There are two Union Cities, the village of
Union City in Ohio and the city of Union City in Indiana. This unique arrangement offers
an opportunity to enjoy both states within walking distance of each other. The
state line is a street in both communities. Two states ... one community ... forged out of
the wilderness in a time when five train lines came together at the state line. A
major stop when back in the early days of train travel, a person had to change trains at
the state line. ConRail still maintains a major thoroughfare in the community and
the restored historic Union City Depot hosts an art gallery with scheduled
activities. A leisurely week-end stop here provides a relaxing drive to antique shop
and flea markets in Midstate Ohio and Indiana.
To learn more Darke County history, please
visit CountyStart.com!
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