Washington County, Ohio

United States

1749

Joseph-Pierre Céloron de Bienville places a lead tablet at the mouth of the Muskingum River and other confluences on the Ohio River, claiming the territory for France

 

1776

 

U. S. Declaration of Independence

1776-1783

 

Revolutionary War

1785

Fort Harmar established west of Muskingum River to prevent “squatters” from settling

Land Ordinance of 1785

  1785  Treaty of Fort McIntosh cedes territory of         eastern and southern Ohio to the U.S.
 
  1786  Ohio Company of Associates formed at Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston

1787

Ordinance of 1787 establishes Northwest Territory (northwest of the Ohio River)

US Constitution

  1787  Site of the future Marietta chosen by directors of the Ohio Company

1788

48 pioneers establish settlement at Marietta on Ohio Company lands

US Constitution is ratified

  1788  The name of the town Marietta is chosen by directors of the Ohio Company
  1788  Governor Arthur St. Clair assumes office in the Northwest Territory
  1788  The first law enacted in the Northwest Territory provides for a militia
  1788  Campus Martius is erected
  1788  First court of Washington County is held at Campus Martius
  1788  Washington County is created
  1788-1789  The first school in the Northwest Territory is established in Campus Martius
  1789  The Fort Harmar Treaty is signed
  1789  The American Union Lodge of Masons holds the first regular session in Marietta;   previously it had been a traveling or military lodge during the Revolution.

1790

The swindled “French Five Hundred” arrive at Marietta and form Gallipolis, Gallia County

 

  1791  The Big Bottom Massacre occurs, beginning the Indian Wars
  1791  The First Sunday School in the Northwest Territory is started by Mrs. Mary Bird       Lake

1792

The Donation Tract is obtained (100,000 acres)

 

  1792  General Putnam's treaty with the Indians provides for their perpetual peace   with the U. S.
  1794  The first regular mail delivery at Marietta is established by Return J. Meigs
  1794  General Anthony Wayne defeats the Indians at Fallen Timbers.
  1795  The Treaty of Greenville is signed.
  1796  The First Religious Society is formed in Marietta (Congregational Church)

1797

Muskingum Academy is founded

 

  1799  Methodism is established in Marietta
  1800  Shipbuilding begins in Marietta
  1801  Marietta is an incorporated town, co-extensive with Marietta Township
  1801  The Ohio Gazette and Virginia Herald is founded in Marietta

1802

The Ohio Constitution is adopted

  1803  Presbyterianism begins in Marietta

1803

Ohio enters the Union

Louisiana Purchase

  1806  Capture of the boats of the Burr-Blennerhassett expedition
  1808  First Congregational Church building is completed in Marietta 

1811

First steamboat is on the Ohio River

First steamboat reaches New Orleans

1812-1815

 

War of 1812

1814

Oil is discovered in Duck Creek

 

  1817  The Universalist Society is organized in Marietta
  1818  The First Baptist Church is organized in Marietta
  1819  The first agricultural society (fair association) is organized in Washington County

1820

 

The Land Act sells land at $1.25/acre.

1826

The first Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Fair is held in Marietta

 

1835

Marietta College is chartered

 

  1836  The Muskingum River Improvement bill is passed by the Ohio legislature

1837

Harmar incorporated as a town

 

  1837  Work begins on the Muskingum River (locks and dams)
  1841  The Muskingum River Improvement is completed

1858

Catherine Fay Ewing opens first Children’s Home in the US at Moss Run, Lawrence Township

 

1861-1865

 

US Civil War

1863

 

West Virginia is admitted to the US

1913

The Great Flood occurs in the Ohio River valley

 

1917-1918

 

World War I

1929- 1940

 

Great Depression

1937

The 2nd largest flood occurs in the Ohio River valley

 

1938

President Roosevelt speaks during Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial year celebration

 

1939-1945

 

US in World War II

1946-1950

Manufacturing plants open – B F Goodrich plastics, Union Carbide, Dravo

 

1957

Marietta hosts world premiere of movie “Battle Hymn” about local hero Dean Hess

 

1968

Interstate Highway I-77 opens to through traffic

 

1970

Disastrous fire at the Harmar House nursing home; new national fire standards are a result