Rehoboth, Perry County, Ohio facts for kids
Rehoboth is a small, unincorporated community in Perry County, Ohio, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of a larger township.
Rehoboth is found in the southern part of Clayton Township. It's located along State Route 345. This community is just a short two-mile drive north of New Lexington, which is the main town and county seat of Perry County. A county seat is the most important town in a county, often where the main government offices are. Rehoboth even shares the same ZIP code, 43764, with New Lexington.
How Rehoboth Started
Rehoboth was officially planned and laid out in 1815 by two people named John and Eli Gardner. When they platted (or mapped out) the community, they had big hopes for it. They thought a new county would be created in that area.
Because of this, they included special areas in their plan. They set aside space for a public square and even a spot for a courthouse. A courthouse is a building where legal cases are heard and local government business happens.
The County Seat Election
Just two years later, in 1817, Perry County was officially formed. Rehoboth was a strong contender to become the county seat. This meant it could have been the main town for the whole county.
However, in an election to decide the county seat, Rehoboth just barely lost. Another community called Somerset was chosen instead.
Tobacco Farming in Rehoboth
In the years that followed, growing tobacco became very important to the economy of Perry County. Tobacco farming was the main way many people made a living.
Rehoboth became a central hub for this tobacco-growing region. It was an important place for farmers and the tobacco business in the area.
