Places A – C

-A-

*Aaron’s Creek – Aid Tp. – Aaron’s creek was named for Capt. Aaron a white hunter who camped on it while the Indians were still in existence.

Aetna Furnace – See Etna Furnace.  Etna Furnace was built in 1832 by Jos. Kelley, Chas. Kelley, Sr., Pleasant Ellington, and Jas. McCoy.

*Aid Township – Mr. Haymaker went to Esq. Wm. Burk who was justice of the peace for Symmes Township and asked him to write a petition to have T. 4, R. 17 made into a township.  Esq. Burk wrote the petition and asked Mr. Haymaker what he wanted it called.  Haymaker said he wanted a short name as he expected to be a justice of the peace of it.

He said he thought Aid would be a good name.  His petition was granted and an election was ordered to be held at Sharps house (on what is now called Sharps creek).  Haymaker ran for justice of the peace and was beaten by Thos. Lambert.  He said that if they would elect an old fool that could not write his name instead of an educated man he would leave the county and he did so.

Aldridge Hollow –

Alice Furnace – Upper Tp. – Alice Furnace was built in 1875 by Etna Iron Works.  Alice Furnace was named after the daughter of George Willard.  Blanche Furnace was named for Blanche McGovney.  In the Spring of 1873, the company erected on the riverbank, just above the city of Ironton, two hot blast coke furnaces, the “Alice” and the “Blanche.”  These furnaces are what is known as the Ferrie Patent Self-Coking Furnaces.

Alshear – A south branch of Buckeye was called Alshear.  Named for an old man who was called Hapshaer (Alshire) had a small improvement at its mouth.

Altop Hollow –

Andis – Lawrence Tp. –  Andis Post Office

Ankrim’s Run – First known as Kerrs Run.  Named after Samuel Ankrim who later owned the land first owned by Thos. Kerr.

*Arabia – Mason Tp. – Arabia, or as it is sometimes called “Bradshaw’s Mills,” has been laid out in town lots and will, it is presumed, assume the more romantic name of Rising Sun.  We hope the Rising Sunners will have a big city and a railroad.  If it beats Ironton the latter, out goes the county seat.  Ironton Register, March 26, 1868.

Asbury Creek – Symmes Tp.

Athalia – Rome Tp. – John Tiernan laid out a town above the mouth of Two Mile Creek and named it Athalia, in honor of his daughter of that name.  – The petition of the people of Athalia for incorporation of that village was acted upon (by the Commissioners) and the village was incorporated.  Ironton Register, June 9, 1887.

-B-

*Back Creek – Mason Tp.

*Baker’s Fork – A branch of Dollarhide fork on which Mr. Baker lived.

Bald Knob –

Ballards Mills. – The mill was built by Jno. Ballard and his brothers.

Bardsley Landing – Rome Tp.

Barnhart Hollow –

Bark Lick – Bark lick was named after the bark camp and screen built near the licks to shoot deer from.

*Bartles – Elizabeth Tp. – Formerly known as Steece.

Bartles Station – Elizabeth Tp. – Post office was Steece.

*Bartramville – Union Tp. – Bartramsville is the name of Post Office at McCaffrey’s store on Guyan.  Takes its name from being near the old place settled by Mr. Bartram, father of M. S., when he first came to this county.

Bay’s Bottom – Gallia County – The post office was Millersport (1868).  Has been known as Rankins Point, Hell’s Half Acre &c.  Ironton Journal, March 4, 1868, states that a gentleman by the name of Sidell has purchased the dwelling and storehouse formerly owned by Wm. Rankins.  The obituary of Mrs. Sarah Bay Smith in the Ironton Register, January 16, 1902, states that she was born May 17, 1841, in what is known as Bay’s Bottom.  Today it is known as Crown City.

Beach Grove – Located near Suiter.

*Bear Creek – Runs through Decatur and Union Townships. A large she-bear had a den on a branch of Indian Guyan.  She was hard to get.  Several hunters searched for her, but she was shot several times and was finally killed by a man who was not an expert hunter, and this gave him a name and the branch the name bear creek.

Bear Den – East of Vesuvius, about one and a half miles.  Famous in the early history of Lawrence county for having been the location where the last bear was killed. Ironton Register, Feb. 13, 1879 – Bear Den. – About one mile from the Vesuvius furnace is a singular place known as the Bear’s Den.  It is a subterranean cavern that has never yet been explored.

In early times, bears were frequently killed in the cave.  W. D. Kelly informs us that his father killed five bears there.  Stumbo, Delong, and other pioneers have had numerous battles with old Bruin.  In later years, it has been the safe retreat for wild cats and foxes.  Explorers and hunters have never yet ventured into a great distance than 100 feet.

It seems the bears never went further than that and then offered their resistance to the bold hunters.  But beyond this point, the cave is said to extend mysteriously, though exploring it is by no means impossible.  We hear that an exploring party will probably be organized to go out and examine the den to its furthest limits.  The party will be provided with ropes, ladders, pick axes, and diver implements and weapons to give the cavern a most thorough search.

Bear Run –

Beech Branch –  Also known as Slate Run.

*Beech Creek – Symmes Tp.

Beech Fork –

Beechwood Park – Upper Tp. – Located in Ironton near the High School.

Belfont Furnace – Upper Tp. – Was built in Ironton in 1867 by the Belfont Iron Works.

IR Oct. 1, 1885 – Belfont Furnace. – Fire was started in Belfont stack last Tuesday for the purpose of drying it out.   The stack has been entirely overhauled – new hearth, inwall, and lining complete.  The hearth and top have been reduced a little, but the bosh remains the same.  The furnace is now supposed to be in better fix than ever before.  It also has a new bell.  The furnace will probably start this Fall sometime.  The company has about 18,000 tons of ore at their mines, which they will work up if the business gets so they can do it.  They have no coke as yet.

Ben Howell Road – Route 93. Named for Benjamin Howell, a landowner there.

*Bent Creek – Union Tp. – Bent Creek was so named by the surveyors from the number of times it crossed the section line, and the number of directions its branches ran.

Beulah – the first PO was 3 Nov 1864 with John s. Feeny PM – it was discontinued on 8 Sept. 1866?

*Big Branch – Union Tp. – On the west side of Symme’s Creek was named “Wilson’s Branch.”  The west fork of it was called Chinn Branch.  The whole creek was called by the surveyor’s “Big Branch.”

Big Cannon’s Creek –

Big Creek

Big Etna Furnace – Upper Tp. – Lawrence County, Ohio, was built in 1872 by the Etna Iron Works.  This included the Alice and Blanche Stacks.

Big Spring Creek

*Binion Hollow – Decatur Tp.

*Black Fork – Washington Tp.

*Black Fork Creek – Washington Tp.

Blanche Furnace – Upper Tp. – Lawrence County, Ohio, was built in 1875 by the Etna Iron Works.    Alice Furnace was named the daughter of George Willard.  Blanche Furnace was named for Blanche McGovney.  In the Spring of 1873, the company erected on the river bank, just above the city of Ironton, two hot blast coke furnaces, the “Alice” and the “Blanche.”

These furnaces are what is known as the Ferrie Patent Self-Coking Furnace.  Blanche McGovney became the bride of Charles S. Gray, son of Col. Geo. N. Gray.  Charles died shortly after their marriage while serving his country in the Spanish American War of camp fever.  His father bought the old W. D. Kelly homestead and donated it to the city for a hospital, calling it the Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital.

Blankenship’s Landing – Symmes Tp.

Blodget’s Run – First known as Red River, also known as Ned’s Branch.  See Red River.

Bloom Switch Road

*Bluegrass Ridge – Aid Tp.

Blue Hollow – Pedro area.

Boat Yard – Union Tp. – In former years, there was a number of flatboats constantly on the stocks, being built above and below the mouth of the drain, called Skin Creek, which runs near Bradrick Chapel.  This bank from the fence to the river and from near the mouth of Indian Guyan down to the mouth of Snake Creek was called “Boat Yard.”  This tract of land, or part of it, was owned by L. D. Suiter for many years.  He and others had built here a great many flatboats, which, when sold, brought many dollars into the county.

Bomer – was created as a PO on 6 Feb 1884 with Frank W. Bomer PM it was discontinued, and the mail was sent to Hanging Rock on 18 Nov 1888

Bosterville – created a PO on 20 Nov 1890 with Philip A. Boster PM – it was discontinued on 19 Jan 1894, and the mail was sent to Arabia.

Bowling Green Quarter – The quarter section, southeast quarter of section 26, township 2, range 16, was called Bowling Green quarter because there was grass green around it the year around except in extremely cold weather.

Bradrick – Union Tp. –   It was formerly known by the name of Indian Guyan and Bradricksville and was a river landing.  It has long been a business locality.  In the early days, many boats and barges were here.  The lumber was obtained from a sawmill located a short distance up the Indian Guyan and also one about three miles from the mouth of Symmes Creek.  All traces of these mills have long passed away, and the generation who carried on this industry has gone to join the great majority.  Ironton Register, September 15, 1887.

Bradricksville – Union Tp. – Was named for Samuel Bradrick, a Methodist Episcopal Preacher of this circuit for whom the chapel and post office were named because of the esteem of the citizens of that place for him.

Bradshaw’s Mills – Mason Tp. – Arabia, or as it is sometimes called “Bradshaw’s Mills,” has been laid out in town lots and will, it is presumed, assume the more romantic name of Rising Sun.  We hope the Rising Sunners will have a big city and a railroad.  If it beats Ironton the latter, out goes the county seat.  Ironton Register, March 26, 1868.

*Branch Hollow – Decatur Tp.

*Brandy Run – Washington Tp.

Bridgeport

Broad Hollow – The first branch of Turkey Fork was named by the hunters, “Broad Hollow,” because its bottom was wide or broad.  In this hollow grew a large number of very large beech trees.  On two of the trees was engraved the picture of an Indian with a bow and arrow both pointing to a certain point.  An old Indian down south told some men that these Indians were pointing towards a lead mine, in which the Indians procured their lead.

The old Indian accurately described the place and country.  In this hollow, Col. Miller and Esq. Sprouse procured lead for bullets when it was not convenient for them to get at the other mines, but they said it was too hard to make good bullets.  Before white men lived on this side of the river, a man, whose name may have been Goss, was captured by the Indians and brought over here into their territory.  There were three Indians who had him in custody.

They were on the top of a ridge when two of them left him and went for the lead.  They started in a different direction from where the lead was, but Goss did not know this.  After they had gone, a deer came by the other Indian, and the Indian started in pursuit of it.  As soon as he was out of sight, Goss started in the opposite direction to what the two Indians did and ran down the hill at full speed; at the foot of the hill, he saw it was steep and gave a leap alighting close to the two Indians who were getting lead.

He saw that there was no chance for his escape, so he told the Indians that the other one had gone and left him, and he was afraid of being lost, so he came to them.  They accepted his story as true and allowed his liberty, and soon afterward, having his gun and an opportunity to escape, he did so; he took his trail to the lead mine, then down the hollow and crossed the river at the shoals, and thence eastward to the white settlements.

Many years afterward, Mr. Goss stopped at Gen. Fuller’s and told his narrative and said it was the shoal which he crossed and so accurately described the place where the Indians got their lead that Gen. Fuller said it was undoubtedly in Broad Hollow.

Brookdale

*Brushy Branch  – Mason Tp.

*Brushy Buckeye Creek – Symmes Tp. – Aid, Waterloo area.

Brushy Creek –

*Brushy Fork – Decatur and Washington Townships.

Buck Creek – Located within a few rods of Long Creek is Buck Creek, so named for the large buck killed on it.

*Buckeye Creek – Mason Tp. – East side of Long Creek.  So named by the hunters, the principal timber near its mouth being Buckeye.  Also, for the buckeye troughs used in the sugar camp.

Buckeye Creek Road – Ironton Register, December 16, 1875, says the Commissioners refused to order the establishment of Buckeye and Panther Creek Road.

Buckeye Fork

Buck Grove – Had a schoolhouse there near Platform (1894).

*Buckhorn – Decatur Tp. Buckhorn Furnace – Lawrence County, Ohio, was built in 1833 by  JAMES & FINDLEY. Its daily ton was 15, the stack  32 Feet.  It was a hot blast charcoal furnace.  From 1840-1843 (2 ½  years), John Peters, Sr., along with J. O. Willard, leased Buckhorn Furnace.  John Peters, Sr., was the manager.   Ironton Register, July 13, 1899 – The Buckhorn Furnace, the property of McGugin & Co., Olive Furnace Post Office, Ohio, will probably be started in the near future.  It has been some time since the stack was operated.  It is 38×10 and has a capacity of 8,000 tons annually.  The Olive Furnace of the same firm is in operation and will run regularly.  American Manufacturer.

Buckhorn Hill – IR Oct. 4, 1900 – Squire Calloway, a colored resident of this city, mysteriously disappeared about a year ago.  He was traced as far as Buckhorn hill in this county, but there all trace of him was lost.  …

*Buckhorn Hollow – Decatur Tp.

*Buffalo Creek – Runs through Washington, Symmes, Union, and Fayette Townships – On the creek called Buffalo was killed a large female buffalo when there were but few in the country; there was much talk about this buffalo, and finally, the stream on it was called “Buffalo Creek.”

Buffalo Fork

*Burlington – Fayette Tp. – The town was originally located on lands owned by John Ferguson and Wm. Elkins, and was owned at that time by E. B. Greene, now known as the Delta, the school house and church of that name being on or nearby the same land.

*Burlington-Walmart Plaza – Fayette Tp. – Named in the 1990s when the Walmart Plaza shopping center was established there.

Bushy Creek – It may be the same as Brushy Creek.

Buzzard Rock – Back of Ironton was so named because a buzzard built a nest there.

Buzzard’s Roost –  Buzzard’s Roost, near Hanging Rock, was so called on account of the number of buzzards that formerly roosted on it while the timber yet stood.  The buzzards make no nest but lay two eggs on a rock or bare ground.

-C-

Cabbage Patch – The late Don Brammer, Chesapeake, called the little area above Burlington and below Sybene “Cabbage Patch.”  Dave Milem said he has heard it called that too, and he thinks it starts below the “S” curve and goes back toward the highway.

Cade Hollow

California Hollow – Perry Tp.

California Rocks – Union Tp. – Coryville, named after Dr. Cory of Ironton, was formerly known as the California Rocks.  This locality is known to steamboatmen from one end of the river to the other.  It derives its name from the steamer California.  This craft was wrecked in the river here by colliding with the steamer Isaac Newton in the year 1848.  This was before signals were used.

California was descending the river laden with the wealth of the East, which had then to be transported by water.  On board were many passengers.  She had made a landing at Indian Guyan, had got out into the river again, and was proceeding on her way when she met the Newton coming up with a full head of steam.

The usual fearful consequence resulted, and all was terror and confusion.  Twenty lives were lost.  Most of the goods were recovered in a damaged condition.  The dead were buried among the rocks, far from friends and home.  Costly silks and satins were spread out on the rocks to dry.  With the aid of a diving bell, all the goods except the iron safe were recovered.

The safe containing many thousands of dollars still lies beneath the placid waters of the beautiful river, but few are left to inquire about the terrible tragedy enacted at the base of this little village.  The Newton was said to be a wild boat commanded by Capt. Hopkins and piloted by Tom Hamilton, with whom she had run away.

*Cambria Creek – Washington Tp.

*Campbell – Decatur Tp. – Campbell Post Office.  Possibly named for Hiram Campbell, who owned a great portion of this township at one time.

Campbell Hill – back of Ironton, belongs to Nixon and Miller, and they have made it into two great pastures.  … Ironton Register 26 May 1887. The hill is an interesting place, very romantic in spots and affording interesting views of Ironton and the river.  At one place, there are great cracks in the hill made by the sinking of the earth into the big coal entry that penetrates the center of the hill.  Mr. Nixon tells us he intends to cut off the trees on the side of the hill to give the pasture a chance.  That is business, but it will rob the hill of its greatest interest to the citizens of Ironton.  “Woodsman, spare that tree.”

IR Nov. 12, 1885 – Purchased – Col. Gray, D. Nixon, and Thos. Miller has bought the “Campbell hill” back of Ironton.  It contains 115 acres and has 11 houses and stables, good, bad, and indifferent, and 900 apple trees, bearing and barren.  The price paid was $2,700.  This property was once owned by John Campbell but was sold last winter at Assignee’s sale and bought in by a syndicate of creditors.  It contains a quantity of coal, and the big orchard is worth something, but the chief value lies in its pasturage.  It is dirt cheap at a price paid.

*Camp Branch – Mason Tp. – Branch above Buckeye on the west is Camp Branch which derived its name from a camp that was built near its mouth by some hunters, and afterward, there was a large sugar camp on it.

Camphouse Hollow

*Cannons Creek – Elizabeth Tp. – Cannons Creek was named for John Cannon, who lived near its mouth.  A tributary of Pine Creek.  John Cannon married Ruth Cumpston.

Carmon Hollow

*Carpenter Creek – Symmes Tp.

*Caulley Creek – Symmes Tp.

Ceebee – Initials of C. B. Dillon, who resided there, the Wakefield Cemetery is located at Ceebee.

*Cecil Hollow – Elizabeth Tp.

Cedar Cliff Hollow

Cemetery Lane – Upper Tp. – Ironton Register, August 27, 1874 – The Trustees of Upper township have appointed T. I. Murdock, M. B. Gates, and Sam Sparling views on the road petitioned for by the Cemetery Trustees and others.  The road is only a little strip of about 400 yards in length, running from near the school house in Adams’ Lane across Ice Creek to the Cemetery grounds.  The 2^nd day of September is the time of view.

Centenary Hill – On Route 243, back of Coal Grove.

Center Furnace – Also spelled Centre Furnace.

Center Station – Decatur Tp.

Center Township – First known as Centerville Township.  The name changed in 1821-22 to Rome Township.

Centerville Township – This indicates that all north of Union Township was called Centerville Township, which formerly indicated all territory back from the river and above Strums Creek.

Chafin Mills – see Sand Fork.

*Charley Creek – Fayette Tp.

Charred Hollow –

Cherrington – Between Grant Town and?

Cherryville – Aid Tp.

*Chesapeake – Union Tp. – Named for the ship on which Captain James Lawrence fell mortally wounded.  Lawrence County was named after Commodore James Lawrence.

Chinn Branch – The west fork of the west side of Symmes was called Chinn Branch for Wm. Chinn, an old Scotchman who lived on it.  The whole creek was called by the surveyors “Big Branch.”

Clark’s Mills – had a PO on 20 Apr 1837 with Hammond Howe as PM.  Clark’s Mills was discontinued on 14 July 1849.

Clarkson Hollow – It may be in Gallia County.

*Clean Fork – Rome Tp.

Coal Drain McKinney’s Creek – There was coal in the bed of a small stream that emptied into Symmes at Fish Trap which the surveyors called Coal Drain McKinney Creek.

Coalford – Former name of Sheridan Coal Works.  This famous vein of coal was first discovered by L. R. Chatfield, who lived a short distance up Lick Creek.

*Coal Grove –  see Upper Township. – Named for the grove of trees that were there in early history.  Also known as Hill’s Store, Petersburg, and Monitor.  Ironton Register, June 26, 1890 – The Common Pleas Court has changed the name of Petersburg to Coal Grove.

Coffee Creek – Windsor Tp.

Coffee-Tea Branch

*Coffee-Tea Creek – Aid Tp. – Above Aaron’s Creek on the west side, a small creek that heads in Sects. 35,36 T. 5, R. 17 and Sec. 1-2 T. 4, Range 17.  It is said that some years ago, a woman living on this branch who was rather hard up for funds and who was over-anxious for her husband to save money to buy land made her coffee very weak, so much so that two men who ate dinner at their house had a dispute as to whether they had tea or coffee for dinner.  One said it tasted like coffee, and the other said it was too pale for coffee and must be tea; they finally agreed to call it coffee tea and thus named it the Coffee-Tea branch.

Cold Springs Farm – Beyond Etna, about one-half mile, was one of the most beautiful summer resorts owned by Col. George Noah Gray.

Collins Coal Company Road

*Cooney Branch – Elizabeth Tp.

Conway Town – At the end of a railroad branch, a number of families called Conway lived, and from it, the town was named Conway.  Located on Vesuvius Road.  Ironton Register, March 2, 1899.

Corbin Creek – Lawrence Tp.

Coryville (note Lawrence County had two Coryvilles) – Union Tp. – Coryville, named after Dr. Cory of Ironton, was formerly known as the California Rocks.  This locality is known to steamboatmen from one end of the river to the other.  It derives its name from the steamer California.  This craft was wrecked in the river here by colliding with the steamer Isaac Newton in the year 1848.  This was before signals were used. 

The California was descending the river laden with the wealth of the East, which had then to be transported by water.  On board were many passengers.  She had made a landing at Indian Guyan, had got out into the river again, and was proceeding on her way when she met the Newton coming up with a full head of steam. 

The usual fearful consequence resulted, and all was terror and confusion.  Twenty lives were lost.  Most of the goods were recovered in a damaged condition.  The dead were buried among the rocks, far from friends and home.  Costly silks and satins were spread out on the rocks to dry.  With the aid of a diving bell, all the goods except the iron safe were recovered. 

The safe containing many thousands of dollars still lies beneath the placid waters of the beautiful river, but few are left to inquire about the terrible tragedy enacted at the base of this little village.  The Newton was said to be a wild boat commanded by Capt. Hopkins and piloted by Tom Hamilton, with whom she had run away.

*Coryville – Upper Tp. – Named for Dr. B. F. Corey, who laid out Coryville and Old Maidsville. See his obituary in Ironton Register, Feb. 2, 1905.

Cox’s School House – Windsor Tp.

Crabtree Hollow –

Crane’s Nest – Elizabeth Tp. – A tributary of Pine Creek.  So named because a crane built a nest in a hollow sycamore tree on it each year for a number of years.  Later known as Lawrence Furnace.

Crane’s Nest Hollow – Elizabeth Tp.

Crazy Hollow – Pedro area.  The school Teacher at the Crazy Hollow School in 1893 was B. C. Dovel.

Cronacher Hill – Upper Tp. – Today, it houses the Ironton Hills Shopping Center.

Crowe Ridge –

Crown City – In Gallia County, just over the Lawrence County line.  Known as Bay’s Bottom, Rankins Point, and Hell’s Half Acre.
Gallipolis Journal, 18 Mar 1869, Thu,  Page 3

Culbertson – Elizabeth Tp. – Culbertson Post Office.  PO was established on 21 Nov 1883 with Ptolemy Peters as PM.  Culbertson was discontinued on 31 Dec 1925 with mail sent to Pedro.

Cummings Hollow

Cutright’s Mill – Located on Porter Gap Road.