Findlay History
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY, OHIO
1812-The first structure, Fort Findlay, was built here.
1815-Benjamin Cox became the first permanent settler in Hancock County.
1816-Lydia Cox was the first white child born in Hancock County.
1821-Joseph Vance, Wm. Neil and Elnathan Cory filed first entries for land that later became Findlay.
1822-First church, known as Dukes meeting house, was built west of Findlay.
1823-Wilson Vance was named postmaster and first election of public officials took place.
1824-The first marriage was solemnized, uniting Samuel Kepler and Rachel McKinnis.
1827-The first school house was built at the northwest corner of E. Crawford and East Streets.
1828-The Methodists formed the first religious organization in town (a class).
1829-The county's first physician, Dr. Bass Rawson, arrived here.
1830-The first federal census was taken here, showing 813 people in the county.
1839-The first town outside Findlay was laid out and named Mt. Blanchard.
1830-The county's first jail was built.
1832-33 The county's first courthouse was built.
1836-The county's first newspaper, the Findlay Courier, was published by Jacob Rosenburg.
1838-The village of Findlay was incorporated and John Adams was elected the first mayor.
1843-The first bridge was built across the river.
1849-The first trains on the old Mad River Railroad began to run between Findlay and Carey.
1863-The First National Bank was formed here.
1866-The first person from Findlay elected to Congress was Wm. Mungen, lawyer.
1880-The first daily newspaper, the Jeffersonian, appeared.
1884-The first gas well, the Oesterlen, came in.
1885-The first oil well, the Mathias, was brought in.It was at the Northwest corner of West Main Cross and Durrell Streets.
1890-The first Findlay Public Library was organized.
1900-The first high school building was being built on West Main Cross Street.
1906-The first park, Riverside, was opened by the city. The first Redpath Chautauqua was held in Findlay.
1920-The first two men's service clubs, Rotary and Kiwanis, were organized and the first
Chamber of Commerce .1963. The first shopping mall, Fort Findlay Village, opened here.
1965-The first municipal income tax was voted in by Council.
1979-The Findlay Area Arts Council opens its doors with $836 and a goal to educate the community in arts appreciation.
1984-The Community Development Foundation opens.