Port Union, Ohio facts for kids
Port Union is a small community located in West Chester Township, which is in Butler County, Ohio. It's not a city with its own government. Instead, it's an "unincorporated community," meaning it's part of the larger township. You can find Port Union on State Route 747, a few miles north of Springdale and southeast of Hamilton.
Contents
Port Union: A Glimpse into History
Port Union was first planned in 1827 by a person named William Elliott. It was built right next to a special part of the Miami and Erie Canal called a "turning basin." This basin was like a wide spot in the canal where boats could turn around easily. The community was located about halfway between two other places on the canal, Crescentville and Hamilton.
How Port Union Got Its Name
When Port Union was first created, it was known by a different name: McMaken's Bridge. However, it later took on the name of its township. For a long time, West Chester Township was actually called Union Township. This is how the community eventually became known as Port Union. In the year 2000, the township's name officially changed to West Chester Township.
Transportation in Port Union's Past
The Miami and Erie Canal was a very important waterway in the early days of Port Union. It allowed boats to carry goods and people, connecting different towns. Later on, the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad also built train tracks through Port Union. This meant that both canal boats and trains helped connect the community to other parts of Ohio.
Education in Early Port Union
For many years, Port Union had its very own school district. This meant that the local schools were managed separately from other areas. However, in the 1920s, the Port Union school district joined with other school districts in the township. This created a larger, combined school system for the area.
