The Darby Creek Post Office

Along with my fascination for history, I also love to look at maps. Old maps, new maps, it does not matter. I like to read the maps. My husband often laughs at my collection of these maps, telling me that the GPS in my van will get me wherever I need to go. But, I like to tell him that I do not need to know where I am going - just where I have been. And, for me, that is the tale that these maps tell.

So, it is of no surprise that I have copies of old maps. Quite often I will take out an old map
to study, while comparing it to a modern day map. And, often times I find fascinating notations. Today my (re)discovery has been the Darby Creek Post Office of Union County, Ohio.

The Darby Creek Post Office was first opened on January 11, 1811 on early Post Road near the south bank of the Big Darby Creek. The first postmaster was James Ewing. It carried the distinction of being the first post office in Union County, Ohio. Over the years, this post office would find its home in many locations, under many names. Today it can be found on Maple Street.

After the village of Westminster was duly surveyed and recorded in 1818 by David Chapman for Dr. Isaac Bigelow, the Darby Creek post office was moved into the village and renamed the Westminster Post Office. In 1823, the village was renamed Pleasant Valley, and the post office changed its name again. In 1877, the village was renamed for its final time. The new name was Plain City, reflecting the location of the village on the edge of the expansive Darby Plains. And, the name of the post office was changed once again. The post office remains open today with a zip code of 43064.