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West Jefferson, Ohio

Coordinates: 39°56′48″N 83°18′23″W / 39.94667°N 83.30639°W / 39.94667; -83.30639
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the community in Williams County, see West Jefferson, Williams County, Ohio.

West Jefferson, Ohio
Village
Main Street
Main Street
Flag of West Jefferson, Ohio
Flag
Official logo of West Jefferson, Ohio
Logo
Location of West Jefferson, Ohio
Location of West Jefferson, Ohio
Location of West Jefferson in Madison County
Location of West Jefferson in Madison County
Coordinates: 39°56′48″N 83°18′23″W / 39.94667°N 83.30639°W / 39.94667; -83.30639
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyMadison
TownshipsJefferson, Deer Creek
Area
[1]
 • Total
9.94 sq mi (25.74 km2)
 • Land9.92 sq mi (25.69 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
[2]
971 ft (296 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,137
 • Density417.12/sq mi (161.04/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
Area code614
FIPS code39-83580
GNIS feature ID2400132[2]
Websitewww.westjeffersonohio.gov

West Jefferson is a village in Madison County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,137 at the 2020 census. Located along U.S. Route 40, the village has a fairly close relationship with the surrounding township, which include various out-of-corporation-limit neighborhoods (including Haymarket Road, Olmstead Road, Forrest Lake Estates, Goodson Road/Enchanted Valley, West Point/Lake Darby, Gillivan, and North and South Road).

History

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Overview

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West Jefferson, founded by Isaac Jones,[3] was originally called New Hampton (founded by Samuel Jones and Samuel Sexton). The current name was platted c. 1831.[4] A post office called West Jefferson has been in operation since 1833.[5]

Early settlement

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Around 1820-1830, a settlement named 'New Hampton' was established, just about a mile south of the current town site[6]. In 1830, the first map of the town's plots was drawn up by Isaac Jones[7], one of the first settlers aside from Jones and Sexton, and a prominent citizen of West Jefferson. The first town hall was built at an unknown time, most likely between 1830-1835. During 1835, the second town hall was built by Horace Putnam[8], another prominent citizen in W. Jeff's history. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation on the second town hall, and even less on the first. Around 1848-1849, the Columbus and Xenia railroad raised $20,000 from the citizens of Madison county to build a railroad.[9] The original railroad station build within West Jefferson appears to no longer exist, however, a slightly newer railroad station (most likely built before 1938) still exists[10] as part of the Fisher Cast Steel Mill. Unlike the trains that used to run through the town in the 1930's, the current trains are diesel and transport freight instead of passengers.

The first church with some photograph documentation was built in 1863, being the Methodist Episcopal Church[11]. As for the oldest church still currently standing, (and possibly the only church with a steeple in the town) is the Ss. Simon and Jude church, constructed in 1869[12]. It is one of the tallest buildings in the town.

1870 - 1910

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In 1872, the first records of a town seal were recorded. The seal had a copy of the original covered bridge spanning Little Darby Creek on the National road [13](now known as U.S. Route 40). Also in 1872, West Street was paved with brick. [14] The first high school was built around the late 1870's or 1880's, on the current site of Garrette park, and the first class graduated in 1884.[15] It was known as the 'Union Schoolhouse' or 'West Jefferson High School', although few sources back up the former name.

During 1893, the town hall was built,[16] which replaced the previous town hall built in 1855. The 1893 hall was the 3rd building to stand there. The first building on that plot is unknown. Originally, it was known as the "opera house",[17] due to it housing a movie theatre until sometime in the 1930's or 40's. In 1958, the top few stories (most likely 3 or 4) were removed due to structural instability.[18] Oddly, on a cornerstone of the building, the message inscribed calls the town hall the city hall. It is unknown why that was inscribed.

2021 shooting

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On May 24, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at an apartment complex in West Jefferson. Three men and one woman were killed, with three of the victims being found inside the building and one outside. A motive has not been determined for the shooting. On June 14, a 35-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with the killings. The shooting marked West Jefferson's first homicides since April 2012.[19][20][21][22] In February 2024, the shooter, John Steckel, was convicted of four counts of aggravated murder for the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole.[23]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.87 square miles (12.61 km2), of which 4.85 square miles (12.56 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[24] Within Jefferson Township (the township in which West Jefferson inhabits), there are two major creeks which run through it: Little Darby creek, a tributary of Big Darby Creek, and later the Scioto River and Big Darby Creek itself, which runs along part of the eastern border with Franklin county.

Demographics

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West Jefferson Village Hall
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850436—
18604605.5%
1880720—
18907788.1%
19008033.2%
19101,04329.9%
19201,17012.2%
19301,37617.6%
19401,3860.7%
19501,64718.8%
19602,77468.4%
19703,66432.1%
19804,44821.4%
19904,5051.3%
20004,331−3.9%
20104,222−2.5%
20204,137−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]

2010 census

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As of the census[26] of 2010, there were 4,222 people, 1,617 households, and 1,149 families residing in the village. The population density was 870.5 inhabitants per square mile (336.1/km2). There were 1,709 housing units at an average density of 352.4 per square mile (136.1/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 97.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 1,617 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the village was 38.5 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[27] of 2000, there were 4,331 people, 1,631 households, and 1,180 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,306.0 inhabitants per square mile (504.2/km2). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 513.8 per square mile (198.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 99.01% White, 0.02% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 1,631 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,949, and the median income for a family was $50,046. Males had a median income of $36,073 versus $26,734 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,425. About 6.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Library

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West Jefferson is served by the Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library. In 2005, the library loaned more than 81,000 items to its 9,500 cardholders. Total holdings are over 57,000 volumes with over 60 periodical subscriptions. The Library also has a large collection of VHS tapes.[28]

Notable People

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  • Isaac Jones, founder and prominent citizen of West Jefferson
  • Samuel Jones, founder of the settlement 'New Hampton', about a mile south of the current town site.
  • Samuel Sexton, also a founder of the settlement of 'New Hampton'
  • Horace Putnam, longest-serving mayor of West Jefferson [29]
  • Carol Braithwaite, prominent citizen

References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Jefferson, Ohio
  3. ^ etheme.com. "History of West Jefferson, Ohio". America Through Time. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  4. ^ Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 142.
  5. ^ "Post offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  6. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 11 | Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library". www.hbmlibrary.org. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Chris Thacker (February 3, 2017). West Jefferson, Ohio 1938 & 1952. Retrieved February 8, 2025 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "West Jefferson in Days Gone By series 50 - 59". www.hbmlibrary.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "West Jefferson in Days Gone By series 50 - 59". www.hbmlibrary.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Bartoszek, Brandon (July 10, 2014), West Jefferson City Hall, retrieved March 15, 2025
  17. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  18. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  19. ^ Wong, Wilson (May 25, 2021). "Four dead in shooting at Ohio apartment". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  20. ^ Lenthang, Marlene (May 25, 2021). "4 dead in shooting at Ohio suburb apartment". ABC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  21. ^ Cooley, Patrick (May 25, 2021). "West Jefferson in shock after mass shooting leaves three males, one female dead". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  22. ^ Bruner, Bethany (June 14, 2021). "Man charged with four counts of murder in West Jefferson mass shooting". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  23. ^ "Man sentenced for 2021 quadruple homicide". WSYX. WSYX (Fox 28). February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  25. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  26. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  27. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  28. ^ "2005 Ohio Public Library Statistics:Statistics by County and Town". State Library of Ohio. Archived from the original on September 24, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2006.
  29. ^ "CONTENTdm". ohiomemory.org. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
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