We spent this week in Holmes County, a little get-away to see Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas show, along with some shopping, eating, wine tasting, and driving around the beautiful, hilly countryside. Our trip included going to Sugarcreek, in neighboring Tuscarawas County.
A couple years ago, we saw this Shanesville sign in a winery near Sugarcreek, and we were told there once was village named Shanesville nearby.
Shanesville sign on display near Sugarcreek, Ohio.
Interesting, because we live very close to Rockford, which was originally called Shanesville. Shanesville was the first settlement in Mercer County, founded by Anthony Shane in 1820. It was the original county seat of Mercer County and is the oldest village in the county. Its name was changed to Shanes Crossing in 1866 and to Rockford in 1890.
Two Shanesvilles in Ohio! Who knew? One in Mercer County, one in Tuscarawas County. I wonder if their mail ever got mixed up in the early 1800s.
Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, old map
Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, on current map
We decided to look into the Tuscarawas County Shanesville this trip. Probably not the best timing because it was freezing cold out when we took these photos. This should have been a summer project.
The Tuscarawas County Shanesville was founded in 1814 by Abraham Shane and was incorporated in 1902. The intersection of 39 and 93 appears to have been the center of town. The village merged with Sugar Creek in 1968.
On the west edge of Sugarcreek, at the intersection of routes 39 and 93, signs of the old village of Shanesville are still there—an old Shanesville sign, Shanesville’s fire wagon, some historical plaques, a church, a carryout, and a cemetery a block away.
Downtown Shanesville, routes 39 & 93, now part of Sugarcreek.
This little building houses an old Shanesville Volunteer Fire Department fire wagon and a Shanesville sign. Two historical plaques, mounted on the outside, tell the history of the village:
Shanesville mementos, intersection of routes 39 & 93, Sugarcreek.
Old Shanesville sign & Shanesville volunteer fire department wagon, housed in the little building.
Plaque with history of Shanesville, mounted on building.
History of Shanesville, as inscribed on the plaque:
1814-100 lots were laid out by Abraham Shane, with 10 perches for a public square and street
1820-The Lutheran Church began with Rev. Abraham Snyder
1821-The First Reformed Church of Shanesville was organized by Rev. William Reiter
1840-Shanesville trading point and outpost from Pittsburgh
1861-The Shanesville Blues, under Captain Benjamine Ream, Civil War volunteer militia was established
1876-Shanesville Lodge No.97 K of P was formed
1914-Centennial Celebration
1964–Sesqui-Centennial
1968-Merged with Sugarcreek
Nearby is this brick wall plaque, depicting Shanesville’s founder Abraham Shane:
Shanesville marker, near little building.
Plaque reads, 1814 Shanesville 1968, Founded by Abraham Shane.
Across the street is the Shanesville Lutheran Church:
Shanesville Lutheran Church
Shanesville Lutheran Church
Shanesville Lutheran Church
Shanesville Lutheran Church
Shanesville Lutheran Church
The Shanesville Drive-Thru is on the other side of the street:
Shanesville Drive Thru
Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery is about a block to the west, on Hillcrest Drive:
Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery
The marker reads: This cemetery is the site of two former churches: A log church used by Lutheran and German Reformed congregations from 1828 until 1851. A brick church used by the German Reformed congregation from 1851 until 1914.
Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery
Another brick marker, one of several on a wall of historical markers in downtown Sugarcreek:
Plaque notes Shanesville, in downtown Sugarcreek
Although the Tuscarawas Shanesville kept its name longer, the Mercer County village still exists and thrives, as Rockford.
How many more Shanesvilles might there be across the country?
