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
this page online
Location. 39° 37.487′ N, 84° 22.251′ W. Marker is in Germantown, Ohio, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Market Street (Ohio Route 725), on the left when traveling west. Marker is adjacent to the Bicentennial Clock, just east of the Florentine Hotel, and about 100 feet west of the intersection of Market and Main Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 W Market Street, Germantown OH 45327, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Germantown Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Shuey Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Germantown Covered Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Germantown (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Jasper Road Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Kern Cabin (approx. 1.1 miles away); Germantown Dam (approx. 1.9 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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
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 William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
4. 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 December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
