Frenchtown, Darke County, Ohio

Frenchtown is an unincorporated community in Wayne Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States. The community lies at the intersection of State Route 185 with Burns and Mangen Roads, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the village of Versailles.[2] Its elevation is 1,027 feet (313 m).[1]

Frenchtown, Ohio
Unincorporated community
Holy Family Church and Cemetery
Location of Frenchtown, Ohio
Coordinates: 40°14′47″N 84°31′26″W
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyDarke
TownshipWayne
Elevation
1,027 ft (313 m)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
GNIS feature ID1048761[1]

History

The community was settled in the early nineteenth century primarily by people of French descent,[3] including many Alsatians and Lorrainers. These settlers long retained their French roots: into the late nineteenth century, the community was heavily Roman Catholic,[4] and their public inscriptions were made in the French language.[5] Although stores and a school were founded in Frenchtown soon after settlement, no post office was ever established there; residents' mail went to the Versailles post office.[3] Since the nineteenth century, the community has shrunk considerably; little now remains of Frenchtown except houses and a church complex. This church, Holy Family Catholic Church, is a community landmark: built in the 1860s, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

References
  1. "Frenchtown, Ohio". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. DeLorme. Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. 7th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2004, 54. ISBN 0-89933-281-1.
  3. McIntosh, W.H. The History of Darke County, Ohio: Containing A History of the County; its Cities, Towns, etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Darke County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, etc., etc. Chicago: W.H. Beers, 1880, 416.
  4. Hitchcock, A.B.C. "History of Shelby County, Ohio and Representative Citizens". Chicago: Richmond-Arnold, 1913, 367.
  5. Brown, Mary Ann. Ohio Historic Inventory Nomination: Holy Family Catholic Church. Ohio Historical Society, February 1977.
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