Near Lebanon in Warren County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Union Village
(1805 - 1912)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
1. Union Village Marker (Side A)
Side A:
Union Village, the first and largest Shaker (United Society of Believers) community west of the Allegheny Mountains, was established in 1805. Nearly 4,000 Shakers lived in Union Village, the last living here until 1920. They owned 4,500 acres of land with more than 100 buildings. Union Village was parent to other communities in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia. Shakers were among the most successful religious communal societies in the United States. Believe in equality of men and women, separation of sexes, confession, communal ownership of property, and celibacy helped define their society. The name "Shaker" was derived from the shaking and dancing that were part of their worship. Union Village Shakers were successful entrepreneurs selling herbal medicines, garden seeds, and brooms. They also raised and bred Poland China hogs, Durham cattle, and Merino sheep.
Side B:
Shaker buildings still extant:
1810 Trustees' Office (now Marble Hall), 1844 Center House (now Bethany Hall), 1893 Engine/Boiler House.
Union Village was purchased by the United Brethren in Christ Church in 1912. The site was a home for children
this page online
Erected 1997 by Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Community and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-83.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Peace • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, 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 1805.
Location. 39° 26.723′ N, 84° 16.705′ W. Marker is near Lebanon, Ohio, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of Ohio Route 741 and Shaker Drive, on the right when traveling north on Ohio Route 741. Marker is on the grounds of the Otterbein Retirement Center, 0.5 miles north of Ohio Route 63. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 585 N State Route 741, Lebanon OH 45036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
2. Union Village Marker (Side B)
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Marble Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Miller Family Farm / Miller Park (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Hexagon House (approx. 3½ miles away); The Stoddard House (approx. 3.6 miles away); Thomas Corwin (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Corwin House (approx. 3.6 miles away); Miami Valley Aerie No. 1395 (approx. 3.6 miles away); Ichabod Corwin (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lebanon.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
3. Union Village Buildings and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
4. 1810 Trustees' Office (now Marble Hall)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
5. 1844 Center House (now Bethany Hall)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 3, 2009
6. Union Village Bell
Located under shelter next to marker.
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 21, 2026
7. Union Village Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 21, 2026
8. Union Village Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,356 times since then and 265 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 4, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7, 8. submitted on March 28, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.
