Wilmington in Clinton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wilmington College
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2010
1. Wilmington College Marker
The 19th century saw a great migration of Quakers from the Carolinas and from eastern Ohio to southwestern Ohio. Attracted by rich soil and abundance of fresh water and springs, Quakers became the dominant religious group in the region. Clinton County was referred to as the "Quaker County of Ohio." In August 1870, members of the Society of Friends purchased at an auction an unfinished building on 14 acres of land and founded Wilmington College, the first Quaker institution of higher learning established in Ohio. College Hall is the original structure and the first classes commenced in April 1871. Wilmington's importance as a Quaker center grew with the founding of Wilmington College, which houses the Quaker Collection of historical, literary, and genealogical publications in the Watson Library.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Wilmington College, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1871.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 walking distance of this marker: Simon B. Goodman Memorial Carillon (within shouting distance of this marker); Quakers During WWI (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Who Sends Thee?" (about 300 feet away); Marble Hall (about 600 feet away); Dr. Menzo Stark (about 700 feet away); David Linton (about 700 feet away); 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash (approx. 0.4 miles away); Military Air Disaster (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Also see . . .
1. Wilmington College (Ohio). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Wilmington College. College website homepage (Submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2010
2. Wilmington College Marker
College Hall to left.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2010
3. Wilmington College Marker
College Hall in background, looking west.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 18, 2010
4. Wilmington College's College Hall
Looking SSE.
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025
5. Wilmington College Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,500 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on July 8, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.
