In the mist of Ohio’s soybean and corn fields lies a little town know as Wilmington. This little town of Wilmington is a part of Clinton County. Clinton County was founded on February 19, 1810, named in honor of the Vice President of the United States, General George Clinton. In June 21, 1810, the Court of Common Pleas approved a little village of sixty acres to be established in Clinton County. The little village was first named Clinton on September 3. Seven days later, the village was renamed as Armenia. Following on December 31, the village was named Mt. Pleasant. Finally on February 10, 1811, the village was named Wilmington in honor of the Quaker immigrants who came from Delaware and North Carolina. After the name Wilmington was given to the village in February 10, 1811, the name of the village was never changed again.
The Clinton County History Center, located in Wilmington, has collected several documents and artifices from Clinton County. All of the History Center’s treasures are stored at 1835 Greek Revival residence which was once owned by General James W. Denver (the person whom Denver, Colorado was named after). The Rombach Place Museum displays some of their possessions in exhibits to provide fun and interesting information about Clinton County.The director Kay Fisher and the Collections Manager Deborah Edgington will be more than happy to answer any questions about Clinton County including the subject of a glass eye to a huge map of Clinton County.
The Meriam R. Hare Quaker Heritage Center shares wonderful information about the founding Quaker heritage that established Wilmington. At the Quaker Heritage Center you can learn about the local, regional and national history of the Religious Society of Friends in Wilmington. The Religious Society of Friends was a group of Quakers that settled in southwest Ohio and the founders of Wilmington College. Wilmington College was founded in 1870 by the Religious Society of Friends and is known to be one of Ohio’s agricultural and Quaker colleges.
Downtown Wilmington has a huge variety of shops and history. The General Denver Hotel was built in 1928 and named in honor of General James William Denver. The Hotel provides a magnificent bedroom including an elegant dining room, barbershop, soda fountain and tavern. Charles Webb Murphy opened the Murphy Theatre in the July of 1918. The Murphy Theatre has a beautiful stage and 750 elegant boasts seats including balcony seats. One show from the Murphy will bring you pleasure and delight. Joe’s Java is a local coffee shop at Sugar Tree Ministries were local bands come and perform to the public, so grab a cup of Joe and watch the show!
The David R. Williams Memorial Park has 26-acres just for children, including a huge handicapped-accessible playground. Walk over the bridge and you enter the J. W. Denver Williams Jr. Memorial Park. The J. W. Denver Williams Jr. Memorial Park has a playground, several sports areas, and is used for the Banana Split Festival. The first banana split was made in Wilmington at Hazard's Drug Store in 1907. Since then the annual Banana Split Festival is held on the second weekend of June. At the festival you can make your own banana split, see crafts, the banana car/car show, and listen to live music.
After the Labor Day weekend, Clinton County honors farming, one of the area's biggest industries at Clinton County Fairgrounds. The Corn Festival features antique farm machinery, a variety of food made from corn, crafts and the Corn Olympics! So, come visit the little town in the mist of soybean and corn fields!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
