The Villages of Pickaway

Enjoy getting to know Pickaway County from the City of Circleville to the eight villages that surround the city. As you plan a journey through this historical county, we recommend a quick stop at Wittich’s, the nation’s oldest family owned confectionery, where you can sit at the soda fountain as you plan your adventure and enjoy a shake, a malt, or ice cream. The villages each add a piece of uniqueness to Pickaway County.

1ASHVILLE Nine miles from Columbus, Ashville was formed in 1810 and named for the band of Shawnee Indians, known as the Pekowi, who inhabited the area. It is home to the Ohio Small Town Museum, which houses America’s oldest working traffic light. It also hosts a large July 4th celebration in its spacious community park.

2CIRCLEVILLE When Pickaway County was formed in 1810, Circleville was laid out to conform to prehistoric circular earthworks with streets radiating from an octagonal courthouse in the center. In 1838, an effort began to “Square the Circle,” and over the next 20 years all traces of the ancient earthworks disappeared. Serving as the county seat,Circleville is now home to Ohio Christian University and the newly renovated Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center. Each year the city hosts the Circleville Pumpkin Show, which brings nearly 500,000 people to the area.

3COMMERCIAL POINT Settled in 1841 as Genoa, this village had a name change to Rome in 1843 and finally to Commercial Point in 1872. Go karts have been racing in Commercial Point since 1968. In its 9th year, the Commercial Point Karting Classic is a weekend full of street kart racing with a track that winds through the village. Commercial Point also hosts its annual homecoming celebration every June.

4DARBYVILLE The Shawnee Indians had several villages and a large burial ground in the vicinity of Darby. Darby Creek, which flows along the village, is a national and state scenic river. Both the creek and the community were named for the Shawnee Indian Chief Darby.

5NEW HOLLAND Deer Creek State Park is located near New Holland, situated on the Pickaway-Fayette County line. Golfers can enjoy Deer Creek State Park Golf Course and its carefullymanicured greens that bring out the best in any golfer’s game. The lies are mostly level, but several extra-long holes on this par 72 championship course invite golfers to test their skills and savor the game. The ODNR Division of Ohio State Parks also operates and maintains a lodge, marina, parking lots, boat ramps, boat docks, campgrounds, a swimming beach, picnic areas, horseback riding, biking and hiking trails. The Division of Wildlife operates and maintains a shooting range, an archery range and a public hunting area primarily on the west and north side of the lake.

6ORIENT Orient was established as a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the northwest corner of Scioto Township. Located in the northwestern part of Pickaway County, the village of Orient is known for its proximity to the Pickaway County Correctional Reception Center and the Corrections Training Academy.

7SOUTH BLOOMFIELD Originally a stagecoach stop on the Columbus-Chillicothe line, the town was laid in 1804. Today, it is a rapidly growing community. Millport, a village within the municipality of South Bloomfield, was established because of the Ohio-Erie Canal. Lock No. 31 on the canal can be seen today, as well as parts of the canal and towpath.

8TARLTON Settled in 1801 as Newellstown, Zane’s Trace passed through the community and was the principal route from Kentucky to the east. An Engineering Battalion of the Ohio Guard is headquartered outside the village. Three festivals put Tarlton on the map for entertainment: The Funfest, Fish Fry and a Halloween parade and festival.

9WILLIAMSPORT Settled in 1818, this village is located nine miles west of Circleville, and is the geographical center of Ohio. It was noted as a health spa because of the mineral spring. The village hosts an annual Deer Creek Dam Days festival the last weekend of May.