Kirkwood, Ohio facts for kids
Kirkwood is a small, quiet community in Ohio, located in the southwestern part of Shelby County. It's an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Orange Township. You can find Kirkwood where Kirkwood Road and River Road meet.
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What is Kirkwood?
Kirkwood is a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside with farms and open spaces, rather than a busy city. It's located right in the middle of two other towns: Sidney to the north and Piqua to the south. Piqua is in a different county, Miami County.
How to Spot Kirkwood
If you're traveling on Interstate 75, you might see Kirkwood from the highway. The interstate passes over Kirkwood Road, but there isn't an exit specifically for Kirkwood.
A Look at Kirkwood's History
Kirkwood has an interesting history, including a name change!
The Original Name: Pontiac
Before it was called Kirkwood, this community was known as Pontiac. It was officially mapped out, or platted, under the name Pontiac in 1868.
How Kirkwood Got Its Name
The name Kirkwood came from a post office that opened there in 1866. This post office stayed open until 1913. The community was later named to honor a person named D. Kirkwood Gillespie. He owned a local business called a grain elevator, which is a tall building used to store grain like corn or wheat.
Railroads Through Kirkwood
Railroads have always been important for connecting communities. The original Dayton and Michigan Railroad used to run through Kirkwood. Over the years, this railroad changed hands and names several times, becoming part of the B&O, then the Chessie System, and now it's part of CSX Transportation.
