My Hometown
I live in a place where growth is big business and new, high-dollar neighborhoods seem to spring out of nowhere every time you turn around. Along with them come all the necessities to sustain those neighborhoods; grocery stores, strip malls, restaurants, specialty shoppes, churches, schools, gas stations and endless road construction…you name it, we’ve got it. Not that we necessarily want it, but we’ve got it nonetheless!
I come from a small town of just over 2,000. A town that once was ruled by a local mafia of sorts, made up of a handful of men who had inherited money from previous generations that controlled the town and therefore slid right into position when their time came. Their mantra was “Our four and no more!”
They were too self-absorbed to see beyond their own wants, needs and greed, refusing to look at the big picture and what growth could do for the quaint little town, for fear of losing their position at the helm, should anyone larger than themselves move in and attain any of their precious power.
Well, the mafia has died out and what’s left is a pitiful shadow of what the town once was. I wonder what they’d think if they took a stroll down Main Street today.
For all its historical and charming storefronts, many are vacant, some should be condemned and others are home to little businesses that I’m quite sure struggle to keep the utilities on. And let’s not overlook the greasy tattoo parlor, and no, before you bust my ass, I have nothing against tattoo parlors…I have ink of my own, but wouldn’t even entertain the thought of walking into this establishment, let alone allow them to sink a needle in my skin!
Yes, there are magnificent old homes that are well kept and appreciated, but for every one of them there are several more that are vacant, dilapidated or being occupied when they should be condemned. My point is the town is disgraceful and my first thought upon entering was that someone should bring in a giant pressure-washer to blast away the layer of scum that has attached itself to the town.
I clearly see how this happened, but what I don’t understand is why nothing is being done to bring about a much needed change in this community. How can people simply look the other way and go about their lives as if all is right with the world and ignore the fact that the town is falling in around them? Why be satisfied to watch the growth happen all around and bypass this little burg, when clearly it has the potential to be a hot spot on the map? Yes…hot spot!
The historical factor alone is enough to draw history buffs from miles around. Take the old abandoned building that sits along the railroad tracks on Front Street at the edge of East Fork of the Little Miami River, this could be turned into a museum that housed antiques, artifacts, photos, dated materials from when the town first originated, combine that with a gift – book – coffee shop and you’ve established something that not only brings jobs into the town, but would surely entice patrons as well.
Granted, the town couldn’t even sustain the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, which I believe was the best thing to hit the town in my lifetime, but still, there is a desperate need to bring business to the community and I’m not talking about another Dollar General Store, flower shop or pub. Businesses that will attract customers and encourage growth and in turn raise property values that will eventually force out the riff-raff that now flourishes.
Don’t be satisfied with a 30 mile drive to spend a day at the spa…open your own day spa and beautify the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits right there in your own community.
And let’s not forget our ever-faithful companions. How many pets must there be in Clermont County…and not one pet grooming shop did I see. What about the children…what do they do for entertainment outside of home? Ever heard of a hands-on museum where they learn about science, math, history, reading and other subjects, while participating in activities that are fun, but focus on education. We have them here and they’re very popular.
The grocery store should be the first stop on the pressure washing tour. Let’s face it, they may be convenient in being the only game in town, but they certainly aren’t the cleanest. Here we have little markets that cater to those looking for fresh veggies, spices and herbs not found in regular grocery stores, along with fresh meats, salads and a variety of other tasty treats. I know my grandparents could open their own store and sell nothing but the veggies they grown in their back yard, along with the baked goods my grandma makes on a regualr basis and they’d have more business than they could handle.
The point is there are a million and one ways to attract people to a community whether it’s through big business or small specialty shoppes. The opportunities are endless and all it takes is a little imagination, some financial finagling, hard work and determination.
I can think of several people of my generation who have the vision and wherewithal to get the ball rolling in a positive direction. Unfortunately, it’s going to take more than the Garden Club, Historical Society and the Rotary Club to make it happen!
If you build it…they will come!
A little Williamsburg History….
Williamsburg Ohio is rich in history, being the oldest town in Clermont County and the first county seat from 1800 to 1823. William Lytle, known as the father of Clermont County, moved to Williamsburg in August of 1800. When the village was young, what now is Gay Street was once Main Street, due to the fording spot of East Fork and the Little Miami River that sat at its end.
Gay Street was part of a major Indian trail in this part of Ohio, known as the Bullskin Trail. The fording spot was used by early settlers as well as Tecumseh, Black Fish, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket, Simon Kenton, Cornelius Washburn and Daniel Boone.
On July 13, 1863, Williamsburg was invaded by 2,000 Confederate cavalrymen commanded by General John Hunt Morgan. They ransacked the businesses and stole anything they thought was of value, before heading east and invading Batavia, Owensville and Withiamsville.
The homes at 160 and 180 Gay Street were said to have been connected at one time by a tunnel. Both homes were stations on the Underground Railroad.
The first newspaper published in Clermont County, The Political Censor, had its office in Williamsburg. Its first issue was published on January 15, 1813.
The first post office in the county stood east of Front Street’s curve at Spring Street, which received its name from a natural spring.
The county’s oldest building in continual use is the Samuel Davis home at 120 S. Front St. It was built in 1805 by John Charles, recognized as the county’s first major architect. The building served as a recruiting area for the county’s militia and Military Courts of Inquiry.
On July 13, 1804, Lydia Osborne disappeared and became known as the lost child of Williamsburg, when she went to the Big Field to bring in the family cows, but never returned. Hundreds of people searched for her for almost two weeks. It is said she was seen about 20 years later in Indiana living with the Wyandot Indians, the wife of a Wyandot brave, and mother of several children.
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