 By
proclamation of December 9, 1800, governor St. Clair organized Fairfield County which
encompassed all the land now known as Fairfield, Knox, Richland and Licking
counties. In 1807, Fairfield county was comprised of two townships: Granville
Township and Licking Township. By act of legislature of 1808, these two townships
retained the name of Licking County. This area is part of a 19,040 acre tract of
land in Licking County. It was purchased in the early 1800's by
the Scioto Land Company which later became the organization known as the Licking Land Company. between 1800 and 1825 enough
growth and development had come to the area to warrant the organization of Monroe, St.
Albans, Harrison, Jersey and Liberty townships. The estimated 2001 population of
Licking County is 140,520.
Today the Johnstown area consists of
the villages of Johnstown, Alexandria, Hartford (Croton), and the townships of St. Albans,
Bennington, Hartford, Liberty, Monroe and Jersey. According to the 2000 Census, the
estimated 2001 population of the Village of Johnstown is 3.582 (however, it is felt the
true population is somewhat higher).
The Village of Johnstown is part of a
four thousand acre tract of land deeded to John Brown, a revolutionary soldier, by
President Adams for military service in 1800. Brown sold the property in 1810 for
$2.50 per acre to Dr. Oliver Bigelow. Dr. Bigelow who laid out and incorporated the
village of Johnstown, donated the streets, alleys and town square. The town square
is still host to many visitors and residents, who stop to enjoy the gazebo, historic
Township hall, Opera House and friendly atmosphere.
Johnstown is a progressive rural
community in Northwest Licking County situated in Monroe Township. It is located in
a four city area approximately twenty miles from Columbus, the state capital, Port
Columbus International Airport, Newark, Delaware, and Mt. Vernon. The village is
also in close proximity to Sunbury, Westerville, Gahanna and New Albany. The
official location is 40 degrees 09 ft. latitude north and 82 degrees 41 ft. longitude
west.
Two major highways service Johnstown
and connect arterial highways in every direction. U/S. Route 62 and State Route 37
intersect in Johnstown. That intersection is less than 20 miles from North-South
Ohio Freeway Interstate 71 and Transcontinental East-West Highway Interstate 70 (old U.S.
40).
The village is governed by the
Village Manager, Mayor and City Council. City Council is elected by the public, the Mayor is
elected by City Council and the Village Manager is hired by City Council. All
utilities are available with village owned and operated water and sewage plants providing
service to residential and commercial users. Outside the village, most homes have
their own wells and septic systems.
Education is furnished by Johnstown
Monroe School District and Licking County Joint Vocational  School for
residents in Johnstown and Monroe townships. Residents in some adjacent townships attend
the Northridge School District. Johnstown Monroe has 2 elementary schools, 1 middle
school and 1 high school. Northridge has 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1
high school.
The local business community offers a
diversity of goods and services adequately providing for varied needs. The village
police and Monroe Township Fire Department service Johnstown and the surrounding area.
Johnstown is a full-service community with churches, libraries, bank,
manufacturing, health care, agriculture and education offering reliable service and
employment opportunities. The Johnstown Independent has been the village weekly
newspaper since 1884. along with the Johnstown Area Chamber of Commerce are several
fraternal and community associations active in community concerns.
The most perfect mastodon skeleton
ever assembled was found August 12, 1926 by James W. Bailey in Johnstown, Ohio. The
Johnstown Mastodon is on display in the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History.
Recreational facilities and programs
include a recreation center, bowling lanes, skating rink, swimming pool, golf courses,
youth leagues and annual festivals. The community enjoys a nature preserve and an 18
mile (1 way) bike path from Johnstown to Newark.
Johnstown is proud of its
time-honored past, orderly growth and progressiveness. The community has adopted a
comprehensive plan serving as a long-range vision of the future and a basis for
development decisions for the community. This is a community loyal to its past and
faithful to its future with dedication to education, environment, and economic
development. |
