Bethel's Early Growth and Historic Landmarks Noted
The Courier recalls Bethel history from omnibus service to the Cincinnati line, toll roads, rail development, gas lighting, and the Grant Memorial Building completed in 1930. Founder Obed Denham moved from New Jersey and Ohio to northern Kentucky seeking liberty and land, amid floods and slavery debates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethel
Memorial
U. S. Grant
Grant
Main
Plane Streets
Obed Denham
New Jersey
Plainfield
N. J
Kentucky
South
Ohio River
Miami Valley
Denham Planned a Modern Village Bethel’s Early Design
Obed Denham envisioned a planned community named Bethel with streets laid north to south and east to west. He reserved a courthouse square a school lot and church plots while initial names included Plainfield and Denhamstown. The town grew with early churches schools and a main road to Williamsburg.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Obed Denham
Bethel
Midwest
Mary Osborn
New Jersey
Plainfield
Denhamstown
Houton Clarke
Denham
Clarke
Nathan Oliver
Bethel Village History Highlights Civil War Era Roots
Bethel’s village lore recalls 1812 service by eleven Bethel men and strong anti slavery views led by lawyers Thomas Morris and Thomas L Hamer. Morris spoke against slavery in the Senate and Whit tier praised him. Abolitionists lived in Bethel and slaves crossed the river to escape during the Civil War era. The Jessé Grant family moved there before the Mexican War, and Jesse Grant became Bethel’s first mayor. Early industry included saddle tree, hat, carding, tannery, and brick works.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethel
Thomas Morris
Thomas L. Hamer
U. S. Senate
Morrris
Whittier
North
Jessé Grant
Old Baptist
South Charity Street
U. S. Grant
West Point
Jesse Grant
Bethel Improvement Company
A. A. Brown Shoe Manufacturing Company
Cincinnati Shoe Company
P. A. Pathe and Son
Sullivan Shoe Company
E. H. South Shoe Company
D. R. South
J. R. Davis
Georgetown
Cincinnati
Also Mentioned on This Page
Cincinnati and Georgetown
Garfield
The
Baptists
Christian
New Light
North Main Street
Williamsburg
Home Outfitters
Dietz
Bethel, Ohio
Lester and Gulbransen
Philco and
Crosley
Eureka
H. B. Hutson & Son
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!