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Perry County, located in the south-central region of Ohio, is a unique and historical place with a fascinating past. Here are 7 interesting facts about Perry County in Ohio history:
1. The county is named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval officer who famously defeated the British navy in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
2. The original inhabitants of Perry County were the ancient Hopewell and Adena peoples, who created extensive earthworks and burial mounds throughout the region. Many of these sites can still be visited today.
3. Perry County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and routes used by enslaved people to escape from the South to freedom in the North. Multiple Underground Railroad stations were located in Perry County, including the home of abolitionist John Rankin.
4. Shawnee, a small town in Perry County, was the site of one of the largest oil strikes in Ohio history. In 1952, the Shawnee-McCaslin oil field produced over 16 million barrels of oil.
5. New Lexington, the county seat of Perry County, was the birthplace of Civil War hero William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman was a successful Union general who led campaigns in the Western theater of the war.
6. Perry County was one of the hardest-hit regions of Ohio during the Great Depression. Unemployment rates reached as high as 70%, and thousands of residents were forced to migrate to other states in search of work.
7. The Zanesville Y-Bridge, which spans the Muskingum River in nearby Zanesville, is one of the most unique and unusual bridges in the world. The bridge, which was constructed in 1814, consists of four separate spans that come together in the shape of a Y.
Overall, Perry County is a fascinating place with a rich and varied history. From ancient Native American earthworks to the exploits of William Tecumseh Sherman, there's always something new to discover in this beautiful part of Ohio.
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