By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Batavia Township Trustees took a historical tour with Richard Crawford, county historian, Dec. 2 to preview the tour they will host Dec. 14.
“Clermont County has an incredible amount of history,” Crawford said during the tour.
Crawford took trustees to several spots in Batavia with historical significance.
He made a stop at Batavia Post Office, which he said is the site of the home of Batavia founder Ezekiel Dimmitt.
“The first log cabin was built in Batavia by Dimmitt,” Crawford said. “This is where the village started.”
Crawford discussed the history of several buildings in the village of Batavia and told stories about those who lived there.
He made a stop at the Clermont County Municipal Courthouse to talk about the Indian tribes that settled in the area.
“The women’s jail was built on an Indian burial ground,” Crawford said. “It is one of the most famous haunted spots.”
Crawford said Indians used to travel on the East Fork Little Miami River.
“It was deeper then because there was no water control,” Crawford said.
Crawford showed trustees several original one-room schoolhouses in the township and talked about the history of the buildings.
One of the schoolhouses is located on Lucy Run Road, which also has quite a bit of history.
“Lucy Run was Lucy’s Run,” Crawford said. “It was named after Lucy Robinson.”
Crawford said the Robinson family was the second family to settle in Batavia after the Dimmitt family.
He said members of the Robinson family are buried in Lucy Run Cemetery.
Other stops included Camp Allyn, Amelia Olive-Branch Road, Elks Run Golf Club, Clermont County Airport, and more.
Crawford said he could talk for hours about the history of the village, and will have plenty to discuss with those who take the tour Dec. 14.
Batavia officials said they enjoyed the tour, and they said they learned a lot.
“We have a lot of history in our community,” Batavia Township Administrator Rex Parsons said. “I learned a lot today, I am trusting residents will be excited about what they learn.”
The tour is scheduled to leave the Batavia Township Community Center at 1 p.m. Dec. 14.
The tour is free for residents, but they must sign up.
Parsons said they have rented a bus for the tour that has 55 spots. He said 18 individuals have already signed up.
For more information about the tour, or to sign up, call the township office at (513) 732-3888.