Germantown in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Village of Germantown
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
1. The Village of Germantown Marker
On October 4th, 1814, a clerk dipped his pen into an inkstand, and made a boldly scripted entry in the Records of Montgomery County.
His entry showed that one Philip Gunckel had filed a plat plan for the Village of Germantown.
It was a unique design, laid off in eight blocks which were twenty perches (330 feet) square, running from Mulberry Street to Walnut Street, and from Market Street to Back (Warren) Street.
Each block was divided by a diagonal alley system, the hub of which was a central open space some 66 feet square.
While the clerk failed to set down Philip Gunckel's rationale for the plan, it seems clear that the village's precise and methodical German settlers wanted their building fronts close to uncluttered streets, with buggies parked and horses stables in the rear. The central square not only served as a turn-around space, but also as a beckoning place where children gathered to play.
Erected 2004 by The Historical Society of Germantown.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1844.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 37.487′
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Ohio’s Dayton Metro and in the Miami Valley. It was also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: The Shuey House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gunckel Heritage (about 400 feet away); Germantown Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Shuey Mill (approx. Ό mile away); Germantown Covered Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Germantown's Famous Covered Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Germantown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Germantown.
Also see . . . Tour of Historic Germantown. (Submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
2. The Village of Germantown Marker
Bicentennial Clock in center, with Florentine Hotel in background right.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
3. The Village of Germantown Marker
To left rear of Bicentennial Clock.
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2023
4. The Village of Germantown Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2023
5. The Village of Germantown Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
6. Florentine Hotel
Original section built 1816 and owned by Philip Gunckel. Hosted Senator Henry Clay, among other notables. Now (2010) only serves as a restaurant.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,586 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on July 10, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 6. submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
