Greenfield, Ohio
Motto: 
"A Perfect Place To Raise A Family"
Location of Greenfield, Ohio
Location of Greenfield, Ohio
Coordinates: 39°21′6″N 83°23′11″W / 39.35167°N 83.38639°W / 39.35167; -83.38639
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountiesHighland, Fayette, Ross
Area
 • Total2.06 sq mi (5.34 km2)
 • Land2.06 sq mi (5.34 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation912 ft (278 m)
Population
 • Total4,639
 • Estimate 
(2012[4])
4,562
 • Density2,251.9/sq mi (869.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
45123, 45165
Area code937
FIPS code39-32088[5]
GNIS feature ID1064755[2]
Websitehttp://www.greenfieldohio.net http://www.greenfieldohio.com

Greenfield is a small village located in the state of Ohio It is mosty in Highland county with some of it's outskirts located in Fayette, and Ross counties. As of most recently, the population was 4,639. Since the population went under 5,000 the Census Bureau[6] may still call it a city, but by Ohio's laws it is technically deemed a village.[7] Since the change from city to village there is no longer a mayor of the town but a city manager, currently the city manger is Ron Coffee he was both born and raised in Greenfield. [8] Greenfield is most well known because of its rich history, including its community members helping in the underground railroad, new industries, and a school with a history of itself.

History edit

Much of Greenfield's early history concentrates on the Travellers' Rest Inn at the eastern end of Jefferson Street: built in 1812, it was the village's first stone building. It also served as its first post office, and was the space for its first doctor's office.[9] Now operated as a museum,[10] the inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Samuel Smith House and Tannery is also listed on the National Register.[11]

Greenfield was named from its rural appearance.[12]

General Duncan McArthur founded the town in 1799, and since the town has had 200+ years to grow and prosper. Greenfield has had many innovators, such as Edward Lee McClain who was well known for his detachable horse collar. The American Pad and Textile Company was something that McClain created later in life which opened up many job opportunities for Greenfield, and created products such as the life vest used in World War II. His memory will never be forgotten by Greenfield however because he donated a great gift to the town, the high school which was named after him, Edward Lee McClain High School which opened on September 23, 1915. People who wished to attend paid a fee of .15 cents for admissions.[13] Located in the center of town acting as a focal point for the town the school has many sculptures, paintings and murals making it a well known school in Ohio. It was the first school in Ohio to have a indoor swimming pool that is still there today, with minor construction revisions. [14]

The first African American owned car company was first founded in Greenfield, The Patterson Car Company started as a buggy company but quickly started to produce buses and cars. CR Patterson along side his friend Lowe moved to Greenfield where founding the car company, soon later Lowe past away leaving the company solely to Patterson. the Patterson Car Company even provided Greenfield schools buses to conduct routes. [15] Other industries in greenfield include Ruckers Quarry, which day and night quarried stone such as limestone on a large scale to the Cincinnati market. [16] Another well known industry was Harps Manufacturing which was most well known for the Never-fail Oil Can. Which was originally designed by Eugene Arnott but then perfected by Harp's Manufacturing. [17]


Most of Greenfield's settlers moved from their comfortable homes in the founding states to unfamiliar territory, Ohio. The reason being they were against slavery. In April of 1833 The Abolition society of Paint Valley was founded, it's main effort was to educate and do missionary work in the stance of ending slavery.[18] Disbanding the Abolition Society of Paint Valley due to the large number of members, although quickly re-organized to the Greenfield Antislavery Society. Records become thin due to the large number of citizens helping African Americans to gain freedom. [19] Greenfield played a major part in the ending of slavery, slaves past through on their way to Canada during the Underground Railroadwith much help from Greenfield's community members. [20]

Geography edit

Greenfield is located at 39°21′6″N 83°23′11″W / 39.35167°N 83.38639°W / 39.35167; -83.38639 (39.351623, -83.386461),[21] almost entirely in Highland County.[22]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.06 square miles (5.34 km2), all of it land.[1]

Climate edit

Greenfield Ohio is elevated at 907 feet which means on a yearly average there is 38 inches of rain, and averages 25 inches of snow. Both averages are very similar to those of the United States, only greenfield does get a few more inches of rain. Greenfield averages 173 sunny days and 128 rainy days. The average high temrature is 84 degrees and the average low is 20.6 degrees. [23]

Demographics edit

2012 edit

The most recent calculations of population indicate that the total population is equal to 4,562, population has gone down 7 percent since 2000. The estimated median household income in 2012 was 26,944 however for the state of Ohio the estimated median household income was 46,829 which is just shy of 20,000 dollars difference, to be exact its a 19,885 difference. [24]

2010 census edit

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 4,639 people, 1,829 households, and 1,148 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,251.9 inhabitants per square mile (869.5/km2). There were 2,141 housing units at an average density of 1,039.3 per square mile (401.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 1.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,829 households of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census edit

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 4,906 people, 1,955 households, and 1,253 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,536.3 people per square mile (981.5/km²). There were 2,099 housing units at an average density of 1,085.1 per square mile (419.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.78% White, 2.20% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 1,955 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the village the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,805, and the median income for a family was $36,952. Males had a median income of $32,156 versus $21,352 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,306. About 12.3% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government edit

Greenfield's village council comprises Robert Bergstrom, Betty Jackman, Harvey Everhart, Bill Redenbaugh, and Brenda Losey.[25]

Notable people edit

Gallery edit

Current edit

As of today, many of Greenfield's rich history is long gone, many store fronts are vacant where prominent businesses used to stand. However the Travelers Rest still stands along with other old building such as the old post office and the school. [26]

Like said earlier, the town changed from having a major to having a city manager when the population dunked below 5,000. The current city manager is Ron Coffee. [27]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  5. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ American Fact Finder. US Census Bureau, 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://factfinder2.census.gov/ faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1>
  7. ^ LAWriter Ohio's Laws and Rules. Collexis Holdings, n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://codes.ohio.gov/ orc/703>.
  8. ^ Greenfield, Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://www.greenfieldohio.net/index.html>.
  9. ^ Owen, Lorrie K., ed. Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places. Vol. 2. St. Clair Shores: Somerset, 1999, 772.
  10. ^ Greenfield Historical Society Exhibits, Greenfield Historical Society, n.d. Accessed 2012-12-17.
  11. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  12. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 143.
  13. ^ The Historical Society of Greenfield. Greenfield. N.p.: Arcadia, 2012. Print.
  14. ^ Greenfield, Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://www.greenfieldohio.net
  15. ^ The Historical Society of Greenfield. Greenfield. N.p.: Arcadia, 2012. Print.
  16. ^ The Historical Society of Greenfield. Greenfield. N.p.: Arcadia, 2012. Print.
  17. ^ The Historical Society of Greenfield. Greenfield. N.p.: Arcadia, 2012. Print.
  18. ^ Merkel, Jerry. Greenfield Ohio Celebrating 200 Years. N.p.: Turner, 2000. Print.
  19. ^ Merkel, Jerry. Greenfield Ohio Celebrating 200 Years. N.p.: Turner, 2000. Print.
  20. ^ Greenfield, Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://www.greenfieldohio.net/>.
  21. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  22. ^ "Subcounty population estimates: Ohio 2000-2006". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2007-06-28. Archived from the original (CSV) on 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  23. ^ Sterling, Bert. "Climate in Greenfield, Ohio." Sterling's Best Places. Fast Forward, n.d. Web. 30 July 2014. <http://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/ohio/greenfield>.
  24. ^ City Data. Advameg, n.d. Web. 30 July 2014. <http://www.city-data.com/city/ Greenfield-Ohio.html>.
  25. ^ "Greenfield city council". Greenfield. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  26. ^ Greenfield, Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://www.greenfieldohio.net/>
  27. ^ Greenfield, Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Aug. 2014. <http://www.greenfieldohio.net/>.