Near Utopia in Clermont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Utopia

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, November 5, 2016

1. Utopia Marker

Inscription. Utopia was founded in 1844 by followers of French philosopher Charles Fourier (1772-1837). Fourierism, based on utopian socialism and the idea of equal sharing of investments in money and labor, reached peak popularity in the United States about 1824 until 1846. The experimental community of Utopia dissolved in 1846 due to lack of financial success and disenchantment with Fourierism. John O. Wattles, leader of a society of spiritualists, purchased the land and brought his followers to Utopia in 1847. The spiritualists, who sought secluded areas to practice their religion, built a two-story brick house on the shore of the Ohio River. A flash flood on December 13, 1847, killed most of Wattles' people. The majority of the few survivors left the area. Thus, the idea of the perfect society, or utopia, died. Henry Jernegan of Amelia, laid out the present village in 1847.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-13.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. In addition,

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it is included in the Communal and Utopian Societies, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 38° 46.575′ N, 84° 3.391′ W. Marker is near Utopia, Ohio, in Clermont County. It is at the intersection of Ohio River Scenic Byway (U.S. 52) and Barlow Road (County Route 7), on the left when traveling east on Ohio River Scenic Byway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3818 Main St, Georgetown OH 45121, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cincinnati.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mordecai Chalfant House (approx. 1.6

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, November 5, 2016

2. Utopia Marker

miles away in Kentucky); Weeping Eye Gorget / General John Payne (approx. 2.4 miles away in Kentucky); Augusta Confederate Monument (approx. 2½ miles away in Kentucky); In Memory of All American Veterans (approx. 2½ miles away in Kentucky); Schoolfield Preparatory School (approx. 2½ miles away in Kentucky); Judge JR Minor Home (approx. 2.6 miles away in Kentucky); Philip Buckner (1747-1820) (approx. 2.6 miles away in Kentucky); Thomas L. Appelman Memorial Park (approx. 2.6 miles away in Kentucky).

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, November 5, 2016

3. Utopia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,632 times since then and 134 times this year. Last updated on January 9, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 25, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.