College Township facts for kids
The College Township was a special area of land in Butler County, Ohio. It was set aside to help start a university, which is now Miami University. This area is now known as Oxford Township.
Why Was This Land Chosen?
Back in 1792, the United States government sold a large area of land to a man named John Cleves Symmes. This land was called the Symmes Purchase. Part of the deal was that Symmes had to set aside one whole township (a large section of land) to support a university.
However, Symmes never kept his promise. So, the United States Congress later allowed the state of Ohio to choose a piece of public land for a college. Ohio picked a township in the first "range" of the "Congress Lands." This specific area was known as R1E T5.
Where is the College Township?
The College Township is located in the northwest corner of Butler County, Ohio. The village of College Corner gets its name because it's right in this area. The town of College Corner in Indiana also took its name from this Ohio location.
When Butler County was first divided into townships in 1803, this land was part of St. Clair Township. Later, it became part of Milford Township. Finally, in 1811, Oxford Township was created, which is the same area as the College Township.
Early Roads to the Township
The state of Ohio made its first plans for roads in 1804. The Ohio General Assembly decided to spend $1585 on a road. This road would go from Chillicothe, which was the state capital at the time, to the College Township. It would pass through Lebanon. Today, this road in Butler County is known as State Route 73.
