WEST CHESTERS BICENTENNIAL

Township works with volunteers to plan community’s 200th birthday party

West Chester, then Union Township, was established on June 2, 1823, by the Ohio State Legislature. Union Township, Butler County, was carved from the much larger and more established Liberty Township to form its own government and community.

“Our bicentennial is a really big deal and is an opportunity to increase awareness of our history and celebrate all the things we love about community,” said Barbara Wilson, director of Public Information and Engagement for the Township.

The bicentennial celebration will be a year-long event marked with festivals, community art, exhibits, selfguided tours and more

The biggest party will be the weekend of June 1-4West Chester Founders Day Weekend – which will kick off with a Bicentennial Takeover on The Square (June 1 and 2) and will conclude with celebrations at Keehner Park, in Olde West Chester and at the West Chester History Center. In addition to live music and great food during Founders Day Weekend, the Township hopes to build a sense of fellowship and volunteerism with contests, hikes, demonstrations, storytelling and more.

While Founders Day Weekend will be the cornerstone, it won’t be the only opportunity to celebrate our 200th birthday. West Chester Township is working with a volunteer committee to host special events/activities all year long in Port Union, Pisgah, Gano, Beckett Ridge, Tylersville, Lakota Springs and all the other neighborhoods that combine to make our community a place “where families grow and businesses prosper.”

Historic Milestones

1805:

At least 51 men and women live or own land in Union Township (West Chester Township) by 1805, even though it wasn’t yet recognized. Population increases and settlers arrive in larger numbers, although there were no roads. Transportation was limited to narrow, primitive trails made naturally by American bison. The trails are largely unsuitable for wagon travel. Pioneers settle along three major thoroughfares that would later become Cincinnati-Dayton Road (through what is known as Olde West Chester), US Route 42 (through what is known as Pisgah), and State Route 747 (through what is known as Port Union).

With today’s population of nearly 65,000, our community’s success continues to be driven by access to major thoroughfares. The earliest are still critical arteries for the community, but today I-75, I-275, Union Centre Boulevard and others also position our community for the future.

Make sure you’re connected to West Chester Township’s Community Report online to stay informed about all bicentennial events. Subscribe at www.westchesteroh.org

Be A Community Storyteller

Are you a long-time resident of West Chester and have a fun or interesting story to tell about our community’s past? Are you simply someone who loves your community and wants to shout it out loud?

West Chester is looking for community storytellers to share personal stories, recollections, photos and videos about our community as part of the 2023 bicentennial celebration.

Working with the West Chester-Union Township Historical Society, a video library will launch in 2023 on West Chester TV’s video on-demand service. The library will include interviews with some of our community’s founding families and pivotal leaders; and contributions from every day people with memories to share.

Visit www.westchesteroh.org/200 to upload your memory or story.