Union City in Darke County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Community On The Line
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 3, 2023
1. A Community On The Line Marker
Indiana - Ohio
The Hub of Two Great States
Several east central Indiana businessmen met in the woods where Union City now stands for the purpose of deciding where the states first rail line would run. Several speeches were made proposing Indianapolis, Connersville, Fort Wayne, and Bellfontaine, Ohio. A vote was taken and Bellfontaine to Indianapolis was chosen by a two-thirds margin. Thus, the "Bee-Line" railroad was born and the grand system of railroads for the great northwest was under way!
Within a few short months five railroads were planned to meet in Union City.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 1852, Dayton & Union track-layers extended the iron one foot across the line into Indiana. The first train passed through Union City January 24, 1853.
Having succeeded in establishing the Bellfontaine Railroad on a route to this spot on the state line, Jeremiah & Oliver H. Smith conceived the idea of building a town here on the Indiana-Ohio border. The growth of the town became more certain by the fact that the railroad from Bellfontaine to Indianapolis was being built by two different companies and in those days goods had to be "trans-shipped" at the termination
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 24, 1853.
Location. 40° 11.866′ N, 84° 48.323′ W. Marker is in Union City, Ohio, in Darke County. Marker is on Union City Gateway Trail east of North State Line Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 N State Line Road, Union City OH 45390, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union City Gateway Rails-to-Trail Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Red 73 Creamery (about 400 feet away); Transportation History (about 400 feet away); Union City Railroad History (about 700 feet away); Raphael Kirshbaum Building (approx. 0.2 miles away in Indiana); Parent Elevator (approx. ¼ mile away); In Memoriam (approx. ¼ mile away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union City.
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 3, 2023
2. A Community On The Line Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
