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Is There a New Paris Ohio?
If you search for “New Paris Ohio” on Google Maps, you may notice that there are actually two places with that name in Ohio. One is located in Preble County, near the border with Indiana, and the other is in Tuscarawas County, near the border with Pennsylvania.
So, which one is the “real” New Paris Ohio? The answer depends on what you mean by “real” and what you’re looking for.
Geography
The New Paris Ohio in Preble County is a small village of about 1 square mile, with a population of around 1500 people. It’s situated on State Route 320, about 10 miles west of Eaton and 5 miles east of the Indiana state line.
The village is surrounded by farmland and woods, and has a few businesses such as a gas station, a pizza place, and a grocery store. There’s also a post office and a K-12 school district that serves several nearby communities.
The New Paris Ohio in Tuscarawas County is an unincorporated community that covers several square miles, with no official population count. It’s located on State Route 39, about 10 miles southeast of Dover and 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
The community spans across several townships and counties and includes parts of Bethlehem Township, Washington Township, Wayne Township (in Tuscarawas County), as well as South Pymatuning Township (in Mercer County), Pennsylvania. The area has many hills and valleys, forests and fields, streams and ponds. There are several churches, cemeteries, parks, and historical sites in or near New Paris Ohio.
History
The New Paris Ohio in Preble County was founded in the early 1800s by Quakers who migrated from Pennsylvania and Virginia. The village was named after Paris, France, as a tribute to the French support of the American Revolution.
The first post office was established in 1828, and the village was incorporated in 1857. Over the years, New Paris Ohio has had several industries such as mills, distilleries, canneries, and creameries. The village is also known for its annual AppleFest in September, which features crafts, food, music, and a parade.
The New Paris Ohio in Tuscarawas County has a more complex history. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Delaware and Shawnee. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive from Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Some of them were Quakers who established a meeting house near what is now New Paris Ohio. However, most of the settlers were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who came from Pennsylvania through Maryland and Virginia. They built log cabins and cleared fields to farm wheat, corn, oats, and rye.
In 1815, a group of these settlers formed a Presbyterian congregation that became known as “New Paris Church” after their former home in Pennsylvania. The church built a brick sanctuary in 1834 that still stands today.
The surrounding community became known as “New Paris” or “New Paris Township”. In the mid-1800s, the area experienced a boom in iron mining and smelting due to its proximity to coalfields. Several furnaces were built along Sandy Creek to produce pig iron for railroad tracks and other uses.
Identity
So, is there a “real” New Paris Ohio? It depends on how you define it.
If you mean an official municipality with defined boundaries and government services, then the New Paris Ohio in Preble County is the only one. If you mean a community with a distinct identity and history, then both New Paris Ohio’s have their own claims to that title.
The New Paris Ohio in Preble County is proud of its small-town charm, agricultural heritage, and community events such as its annual AppleFest. It’s also home to several notable landmarks such as the L&M Products building, which used to be a canning factory and now houses a flea market and antique mall; the Twin Creek Preserve Metropark, which offers hiking trails and fishing ponds; and the National Trail Local Schools campus, which includes a historic bell tower and a modern sports complex.
The New Paris Ohio in Tuscarawas County is proud of its rural beauty, historic churches, and friendly people. It’s also home to several notable landmarks such as the New Harrisburg Covered Bridge, which spans Sandy Creek and was built in 1867; the Mineral City Depot Park, which features a restored railway station and caboose; and Camp Buckeye Retreat Center, which offers campsites, cabins, and meeting spaces for groups.
Conclusion
In short, there are two places called New Paris Ohio in Ohio. Each has its own geography, history, identity, and attractions. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful village or an adventurous community, a slice of Americana or a glimpse of frontier spirit, you can find something to enjoy in both New Paris Ohio’s.