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Gillivan, Ohio facts for kids

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Gillivan, Ohio
Gillivan, Ohio is located in Ohio
Gillivan, Ohio
Gillivan, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Country United States
State Ohio
Counties Madison
Elevation
978 ft (298 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
43162
Area code(s) 614
GNIS feature ID 1048783

Gillivan is a small, quiet place in Ohio, United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Gillivan is located in Madison County, Ohio, specifically within Jefferson Township. You can find it along U.S. Route 42, just north of where it crosses Ohio State Route 29.

Discovering Gillivan, Ohio

Gillivan is a unique type of community in the state of Ohio. It's a place where people live and work, but it doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's part of a larger area called a township.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a settlement that is not part of an official city or town. It usually doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it's governed by the county or township it's located in. This is different from a city, which has its own laws and services.

Where is Gillivan Located?

Gillivan is found in Madison County, Ohio. This county is in the central part of Ohio. The community sits along a main road called U.S. Route 42. It's also near another important road, Ohio State Route 29. Knowing these roads helps people find Gillivan on a map.

A Look Back in Time

Gillivan didn't start as a planned town with streets laid out in advance. Instead, it grew naturally over time. It formed around a busy crossroads, which is where two or more roads meet. This made it a convenient spot for people to gather and for businesses to open.

Early Days of Gillivan

By the year 1915, Gillivan was a small but active community. It had a few important businesses that served the local people. These businesses were key to daily life for the residents.

  • General Store: This was a place where people could buy many different things, from food to tools. It was like a mini-mall for the community.
  • Hardware Store: Here, people could find supplies for building and repairs. This was important for homes and farms in the area.
  • Blacksmith: A blacksmith was a person who worked with metal. They would make or repair metal tools and horse equipment. This was a very important job back then.
  • Homes: In 1915, there were only six houses in Gillivan. This shows how small and close-knit the community was.

Gillivan's history shows how small communities can grow from simple beginnings. It highlights the importance of crossroads as gathering places. Even today, many small communities have similar stories.

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