1796- Gideon Granger, Postmaster General of U.S., is allotted Jefferson Township as his share of purchase of Western Reserve Lands 1800- Jefferson Township surveyed into lots of 320-acres each 1804- Eldad Smith, land agent for G. Granger, erected a log cabin on south bank of Mill Creek and cleared path to Austinburg 1805- Granger laid out township lands into a village, establishing streets and street names, village squares and greens 1808- First post office established, corner North Market and Walnut streets 1809- First school, taught in summer by Betsey Hubbard 1817- Subscription library began at cost of $10 per share 1820- First hotel built in village by Quintus Atkins, situated on northeast corner of Jefferson and Chestnut streets 1822- T.R. Hawley provides gift of one acre of land at Market and Ashtabula streets to begin first burial grounds in village 1824- Jefferson School Association was incorporated to build an academy 1831- Ferris Webster built first hotel on SW corner of Jefferson and Chestnut streets 1835- Baptist Church dedicated, July 4; Congregational Church also built 1836- Jefferson Village was incorporated by the state legislature, April 5; Jonathon Warner chosen as first mayor 1837- Fire Department established as Phoenix Hose Co., later renamed to Wade Hose Co., now known as Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department 1841- First public school building was built on lot of Episcopal church 1847- Jefferson Library Association was incorporated 1848- First Methodist Church building in village erected 1853- The Ashtabula Sentinel newspaper was moved to Jefferson by William Cooper Howells 1854- First Town Hall erected on East Jefferson Street 1864- First National Bank established 1869- Jefferson Savings & Loan started 1870- Jefferson Educational Institute building erected at SE corner of Jefferson and Chestnut streets 1872- Railroad service began to Jefferson on Franklin Division of the Lake Shore and Southern Michigan Railroad. Jefferson Depot built. 1876- Cornerstone laid for Trinity Episcopal building; The Gazette moved from Madison to Jefferson; Catholic church erected, later rebuilt as St. Joseph's on same site 1879- Two- story, brick Town Hall built on E. Jefferson Street; Iron bridge over creek in cemetery completed 1883- Citizens Library Association formed and housed on first floor of Town Hall 1885- Jefferson Police Department organized and officers appointed. 1888- New Jefferson Educational Institute high school built, lower grades began using older building 1901- First gas piped into village from field west of town 1902- Electric trolley service (Pennsylvania & Ohio Interurban) reached Jefferson from Ashtabula 1906- The "Big Fire" - More than on dozen businesses destroyed on East side of North Chestnut Street, lead to start of village water system 1908- Public water plant built with dam on Mill Creek; First water tank built behind Town Hall 1908- Sanitary sewers were installed, residents have first indoor plumbing 1909- New fire hall and library building built on site of Town Hall 1910- JEI became Jefferson High School 1912- Paving of village streets began; Sewer connections made to homes 1920- Chamber of Commerce organized 1923- P&O Trolley ceased operation 1927- Fire destroyed Town Hall; Electric power plant sold to CEI 1929- Town Hall rebuilt using remains of walls of same on destroyed by fire 1936- Village Centennial celebrated; First Nazarene Church built 1950- First Chief of Police appointed, and first patrol car purchased 1952- St. Paul's Lutheran Church built 1956- Passenger service on rail line ceased 1959- New post office built on West Jefferson Street 1960- Fire destroyed row of businesses on west side of North Chestnut Street 1962- New Jefferson High School opened at west end of village 1965- New fire hall built at Jefferson and Market streets 1972- Henderson Memorial Public Library opened 1973- Old fire hall demolished and bell removed, reset at new fire hall 1975- Jefferson Emergency Rescue District founded with volunteer crew 1978- JERD moved into new quarters at Safety Center 1988- Village goes to court to establish public green boundaries 1997- Building for Community Center purchased by village and renovated 1998- Jefferson Community and Recreation Center opened 2008- New Jefferson Elementary opened 2009- New Jefferson Area High School opens |
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