Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Allen County's First Settlement

Roots & Beginnings • Lima, OH

— Lima's Local History Hunt —

Allen County's First Settlement Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

1. Allen County's First Settlement Marker

Inscription. Originally Indian Territory, the United States government assigned the Shawnee tribes to two reservations in Allen County to make room for settlers in 1817, and loosely formed Allen County into existence in 1820. However, the first permanent settlement in Allen County was not until 1824, which was the Sugar Creek settlement. An official county government was formed in 1831, which led to road improvements, thus allowing established communities throughout Allen County, which was rich in soil, access to the natural springs, and salt licks. Today, Allen County consists of 407 square miles.

Erected 2026 by America 250-Ohio Commission. (Marker Number 8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 40° 47.298′ N, 84° 6.122′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of East Bluelick Road and North Road, on the right

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when traveling east on East Bluelick Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 E Bluelick Rd, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Allen County’s First Settlement (a few steps from this marker); The Henry Boose Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Founders and Patriots of Allen County, Ohio (approx. ¾ mile away); Lima (approx. 1.4 miles away); Rotary Riverwalk & Ottawa River Bikeway (approx. 2.6 miles away); Servicemen's Free Canteen (approx. 3 miles away); a different marker also named Servicemen's Free Canteen (approx. 3 miles away); McLean Teddy Bear Park (approx. 3 miles

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

2. Allen County's First Settlement Marker

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Also see . . . Lima's Local History Hunt. (Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

America 250-Ohio Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by America 250-Ohio Commission

3. America 250-Ohio Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.