Why Shelby County, Ohio?

On March 01, 1803, the state of Ohio became the first state to be admitted to the Union from the Northwest Territory. During the early 1800s, Shelby County, like the rest of Ohio, with its fertile soil, vast forests, rivers and plentiful game, was an inviting area for settlement by early pioneers.  Rugged hills in the south roll gently into a level uplands in the north. Shelby County constitutes the highest altitude for the railroad or canal within this area (1,078 feet above sea level). The highest point in Ohio is 1,550 feet in Bellefontaine (Logan County). Perhaps its most important natural resource is the Great Miami River, which, combined with many creeks, creates a very good waterway system. Because of these waterways, Shelby County settlers were able to successfully penetrate this heavily forested area by boat in their search for a place to live. Many of the initial settlers lived near Loramie Creek and the Great Miami River Basin.

The timber was so heavy that long years of labor would be required to cultivate the land. The large numbers of pigeons, blackbirds and crows also devoured seed almost as fast as the settler could plant it. Many early settlers found it more profitable to sell meat and pelts than to farm. Early pioneers not as experienced with a gun, or not having the proper munitions, would pay other settlers to shoot game to feed their family while preparing the land for crops.