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Explore Pickaway County

Rich in history, Pickaway County was the home of the prehistoric Mound Builders several thousand years before the later arrival of the Indian tribes and European settlers. Pickaway County was created by an Act of the General Assembly of Ohio on March 1, 1810.

Ashville

Located nine miles north of Circleville, this quaint village is located on land once occupied by the Mound Builders and later by Shawnee Indians. In the 1830s, Richard Stage started a distillery. The first railroad was completed in 1875. The Village of Ashville was incorporated in 1882 and currently has a population of approximately 3,174.

Circleville

Circleville was unique among early American towns, built to conform to circular prehistoric earthworks. When Pickaway County was formed in 1810, the new town was laid out within the ancient Circle on the high bank east of the Scioto River. Its streets radiated from an octagonal courthouse in the center of the Circle. In 1838, a group of businessmen began to “square the Circle,” and over the next 20 years all traces of the ancient earthworks disappeared.

Commercial Point

This village was settled in 1841 as Genoa. In 1843, the nearby town of Rome united with Genoa and in 1872 became known as Commercial Point.

Darbyville

At one time, the Shawnee Indians had several villages and a large burial ground in the vicinity. Darby Creek, which flows along the village, is now designated as a National and State Scenic River.

Harrisburg

Located on the edge of northern Pickaway County and southern Franklin County, this small village was founded in 1836 by Joseph Chenowith. Prior to the laying out of the village, the area was known as Darby Cross Roads.

New Holland

Located on the Pickaway-Fayette County line, the town was settled in 1818 as Flemingsburg. The name was changed to New Holland and incorporated in 1835.

Orient

Established as a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, this Village is located in the northwestern part of Pickaway County. It is home to the Pickaway Correctional Institution and the Correctional Reception Center.

South Bloomfield

Originally a stagecoach stop on the Columbus-Chillicothe line, the town was laid out in 1804 with the hope that it might become the county seat; however, the founders’ dreams were never realized.

Tarlton

Probably the first settlement in Pickaway County, Tarlton was settled in 1801 as Newellstown. It is thought that the community was later named for British Cavalry Commander Sir Banastre Tarleton.

Williamsport

Located nine miles west of Circleville on US-22, the village was settled in 1818. It was noted for many years as a health spa because of the mineral spring, which was thought to have medicinal value.