West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio
Encyclopedia
West Chester Township, formerly known as Union Township, is a township
located in the southeast corner of Butler County
in the southwestern part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
, one of thirteen townships in the county. It is situated between Sharonville
and Monroe
, about 18 miles north of Cincinnati
, and is included in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. Exits 19, 21 and 22 off Interstate 75
serve West Chester. The Census Bureau
estimated the township's population at 57,123 in 2006, an increase of several thousand people since the 2000 census.
by the Butler County Commissioners on June 2, 1823, upon petitions from residents of the township. No boundaries were given in the resolution passed by the commissioners, but it originally contained 35 square miles (91 km²), just short of a full survey township
. The new township was given the name "Union." Because Union Township was familiarly known as West Chester, plus the abundance of other townships in Ohio called Union
, the name was changed to West Chester Township effective June 28, 2000, after being ratified by the township's voters at the March 9 primary election. Many census and government records, including the 2000 census, refer to Union Township. Today, it is the only West Chester Township statewide.
The southeastern corner of the township has been annexed by the city of Sharonville
and a small portion in the west has been annexed by Fairfield
.
The unincorporated communities
of Maud, Port Union
, and Tylersville
are located in central, western, and western West Chester Township respectively.
. In 2004, George W. Bush
carried 76% of the vote in the township compared to 16% for John Kerry
.
Three times voters have rejected the incorporation of the township as a city. On February 2, 1988, the vote was 4,097 to 3,956 against incorporation; 5,816 to 4,972 against on August 8, 1989, and 5,054 to 4,679 against on August 3, 1993.
The township was home to the Voice of America
's Bethany Relay Station
, a facility covering 625 acres (2.5 km²) in the northeast corner of the township that broadcast American propaganda overseas from 1943 to 1994. The property owned by the Voice of America Station has now been converted into Ronald Reagan Voice of Freedom Park. This park consists of a 1.42-mile walking trail around a lake. The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center
was opened in 2009. The township is also home to the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, which is one of the largest mosques in the area.
In 2006 ground was broken for The Square at Union Centre which will serve as the town square for West Chester hosting events surrounded by class A office space and restaurants. The West Chester library will be part of the square and a bell-tower constructed by the famous and historic Verdin Bell Company
of Cincinnati already serves as the centerpiece to the square.
Some of the township is in the West Chester post office (45069) and the southeastern corner is served by the Sharonville
office (45241). Fairfield (45014) and Hamilton (45011 or 45015) also serve the township.
, Extreme
and David Cassidy
. On October 17, 2008 Republican
Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin
and U.S. Congress House Minority Leader John Boehner
spoke to a crowd of over 15,000 people at the Square at Union Centre in front of the bell-tower.
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
located in the southeast corner of Butler County
Butler County, Ohio
Butler County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of 2010, the population was 368,130. Its county seat is Hamilton. It is named for General Richard Butler, who died in 1791 fighting Indians in northern Ohio. Butler's army marched out of Fort Hamilton, where the city of...
in the southwestern part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, one of thirteen townships in the county. It is situated between Sharonville
Sharonville, Ohio
Sharonville is a city in Butler and Hamilton counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,804 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sharonville is located at .It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
and Monroe
Monroe, Ohio
Monroe is a city located in east central Butler and west central Warren counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of 2007, the city population was 7,655, up from 4,008 in 1990....
, about 18 miles north of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, and is included in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. Exits 19, 21 and 22 off Interstate 75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
serve West Chester. The Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
estimated the township's population at 57,123 in 2006, an increase of several thousand people since the 2000 census.
History
The thirteenth and last in order of creation, it was erected from Liberty TownshipLiberty Township, Butler County, Ohio
Liberty Township, one of thirteen townships in Butler County, Ohio, United States, is in the east-central part of the county, just south of the city of Monroe...
by the Butler County Commissioners on June 2, 1823, upon petitions from residents of the township. No boundaries were given in the resolution passed by the commissioners, but it originally contained 35 square miles (91 km²), just short of a full survey township
Survey township
Survey township, sometimes called Congressional township, as used by the United States Public Land Survey System, refers to a square unit of land, that is nominally six miles on a side...
. The new township was given the name "Union." Because Union Township was familiarly known as West Chester, plus the abundance of other townships in Ohio called Union
Union Township, Ohio
Union Township, Ohio may refer to:*Union Township, Auglaize County, Ohio*Union Township, Belmont County, Ohio*Union Township, Brown County, Ohio*Union Township, Carroll County, Ohio*Union Township, Champaign County, Ohio...
, the name was changed to West Chester Township effective June 28, 2000, after being ratified by the township's voters at the March 9 primary election. Many census and government records, including the 2000 census, refer to Union Township. Today, it is the only West Chester Township statewide.
Historic population figures
- 1900—1,743
- 1910—1,534
- 1920—1,583
- 1930—1,988
- 1940—2,109
- 1950—2,545
- 1960—6,236
- 1970—12,795
- 1980—23,553
- 1990—37,894
- 2000—54,895
- 2010—60,958
Climate
Geography
Located in the southeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships and cities:- Liberty TownshipLiberty Township, Butler County, OhioLiberty Township, one of thirteen townships in Butler County, Ohio, United States, is in the east-central part of the county, just south of the city of Monroe...
- north - Deerfield Township, Warren CountyDeerfield Township, Warren County, OhioDeerfield Township, one of the eleven townships of Warren County, Ohio, United States, is located in the southwest corner of the county. The most urbanized of the eleven, it had 25,515 people in the 2000 census, down from the 26,359 in 1990...
- east - SharonvilleSharonville, OhioSharonville is a city in Butler and Hamilton counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,804 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sharonville is located at .It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
- southeast - SpringdaleSpringdale, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 10,563 people, 4,421 households, and 2,816 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,131.0 people per square mile . There were 4,607 housing units at an average density of 929.4 per square mile...
- southwest - FairfieldFairfield, OhioFairfield is a city in Butler County in the U.S. state of Ohio, near Cincinnati. Fairfield was incorporated in 1955. The population was 42,510 at the 2010 census. The city school district is one of the largest in Ohio, with Fairfield High School graduating 842 students in June 2009. Fairfield is...
- west - Fairfield TownshipFairfield Township, Butler County, OhioFairfield Township, one of thirteen townships in Butler County, Ohio, United States, is located in the south central portion of the county. It had a population of 15,571 in 2000, down sharply from 49,353 in 1990 because of the withdrawal of the city of Fairfield in 1994 and annexations from...
- northwest
The southeastern corner of the township has been annexed by the city of Sharonville
Sharonville, Ohio
Sharonville is a city in Butler and Hamilton counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,804 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sharonville is located at .It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
and a small portion in the west has been annexed by Fairfield
Fairfield, Ohio
Fairfield is a city in Butler County in the U.S. state of Ohio, near Cincinnati. Fairfield was incorporated in 1955. The population was 42,510 at the 2010 census. The city school district is one of the largest in Ohio, with Fairfield High School graduating 842 students in June 2009. Fairfield is...
.
The unincorporated communities
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Maud, Port Union
Port Union, Ohio
Port Union is an unincorporated community in western West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio, United States on State Route 747 about three miles north of Springdale and three miles southeast of Hamilton. The town was laid out in 1827 by William Elliott alongside the turning basin for the Miami...
, and Tylersville
Tylersville, Ohio
Tylersville is an unincorporated community in central West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio, United States. It was laid out in 1842 by Daniel Pocock and named for the President of the United States at the time, John Tyler. Its name lives on in a major road of northern West Chester Township,...
are located in central, western, and western West Chester Township respectively.
Government
The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer, who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees. Politically, West Chester Township leans heavily toward the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. In 2004, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried 76% of the vote in the township compared to 16% for John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
.
Three times voters have rejected the incorporation of the township as a city. On February 2, 1988, the vote was 4,097 to 3,956 against incorporation; 5,816 to 4,972 against on August 8, 1989, and 5,054 to 4,679 against on August 3, 1993.
Public services
Most of the township is in the Lakota Local School District, but portions are also in the Princeton City School District and a tiny part on the eastern border is in the Mason City School District.The township was home to the Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
's Bethany Relay Station
Voice of America Bethany Relay Station
The Voice of America's Bethany Relay Station was located in Butler County, Ohio's Union Township about 25 miles north of Cincinnati, adjacent to the transmitter site of WLW. Starting in 1944 during World War II it transmitted American radio programming abroad on shortwave frequencies, using...
, a facility covering 625 acres (2.5 km²) in the northeast corner of the township that broadcast American propaganda overseas from 1943 to 1994. The property owned by the Voice of America Station has now been converted into Ronald Reagan Voice of Freedom Park. This park consists of a 1.42-mile walking trail around a lake. The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center
Miami University Voice of America Learning Center
The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center is one of three regional campuses of Miami University.The Voice of America Learning Center is located in West Chester, Ohio on a portion of the former Voice of America Bethany Relay Station. Classes began in January 2009.-External links:*...
was opened in 2009. The township is also home to the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, which is one of the largest mosques in the area.
In 2006 ground was broken for The Square at Union Centre which will serve as the town square for West Chester hosting events surrounded by class A office space and restaurants. The West Chester library will be part of the square and a bell-tower constructed by the famous and historic Verdin Bell Company
Verdin Bell Company
The Verdin Company is a manufacturer of bronze bells based in Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States. The company has been making bells for use in bell and clock towers, peals, chimes, and carillons since 1842...
of Cincinnati already serves as the centerpiece to the square.
Some of the township is in the West Chester post office (45069) and the southeastern corner is served by the Sharonville
Sharonville, Ohio
Sharonville is a city in Butler and Hamilton counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,804 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sharonville is located at .It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
office (45241). Fairfield (45014) and Hamilton (45011 or 45015) also serve the township.
Top employers
According to West Chester's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the township are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakota Local School District | 1,969 |
| 2 | BAE Systems BAE Systems Inc. BAE Systems Inc. is a major subsidiary of the British defense and aerospace company BAE Systems plc. As per its Special Security Agreement, BAE Systems Inc... |
1,500 |
| 3 | GE Aviation | 1,400 |
| 4 | Cornerstone Brands | 896 |
| 5 | AdvancePierre Foods | 870 |
| 6 | CEVA Logistics | 650 |
| 7 | West Chester Hospital (UC Health University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center The University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center is a healthcare center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a major source of education, medical care, and research in Greater Cincinnati and has a distinguished reputation for training prominent health care professionals and providing leading-edge research... ) |
560 |
| 8 | Totes»ISOTONER | 450 |
| 9 | FKI Logistex | 400 |
| 10 | Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods.... Manufacturing Supply Technology |
400 |
Notable events
The Square at Union Centre plays host to the Union Centre Boulevard Bash in early August and has attracted artists such as King's XKing's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
, Extreme
Extreme (band)
Extreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
and David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
. On October 17, 2008 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
and U.S. Congress House Minority Leader John Boehner
John Boehner
John Andrew Boehner is the 61st and current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he is the U.S. Representative from , serving since 1991...
spoke to a crowd of over 15,000 people at the Square at Union Centre in front of the bell-tower.
Notable residents
- John A. Boehner, 61st (and incumbent) Speaker of the United States House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the United States House of RepresentativesThe Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
- John ConnerJohn Conner (American football)John Conner is an American football fullback. He is currently a member of the New York Jets. Conner earned a 2009 College Football All-America Team selection and was one of the best fullback prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft...
, fullback for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jorge GurgelJorge GurgelJorge Valente Gurgel is a Brazilian-American Mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who currently competes in Strikeforce's lightweight division.- Early life :...
, mixed martial artsMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
fighter - Jordan HicksJordan HicksJordan Hicks is an American football linebacker. He currently attends the University of Texas at Austin in his sophomore year. Hicks won the High School Dick Butkus Award in 2009....
, linebacker for the Texas LonghornsTexas Longhorns footballThe Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
Further reading
- Bert S. Barlow, W.H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, and Frederick Schneider, eds. Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio. Hamilton, OhioHamilton, OhioHamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
: B.F. Bowen, 1905. - Jim Blount. The 1900s: 100 Years In the History of Butler County, OhioButler County, OhioButler County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of 2010, the population was 368,130. Its county seat is Hamilton. It is named for General Richard Butler, who died in 1791 fighting Indians in northern Ohio. Butler's army marched out of Fort Hamilton, where the city of...
. Hamilton, OhioHamilton, OhioHamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
: Past Present Press, 2000. - Butler County Engineer's Office. Butler County Official Transportation Map, 2003. Fairfield Township, Butler County, OhioFairfield Township, Butler County, OhioFairfield Township, one of thirteen townships in Butler County, Ohio, United States, is located in the south central portion of the county. It had a population of 15,571 in 2000, down sharply from 49,353 in 1990 because of the withdrawal of the city of Fairfield in 1994 and annexations from...
: The Office, 2003. - A History and Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio with Illustrations and Sketches of Its Representative Men and Pioneers. Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, OhioCincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
: Western Biographical Publishing Company, 1882. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohbutler/cyc/index.html - Ohio. Secretary of StateOhio Secretary of StateThe Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing elections in the State of Ohio. The Secretary of State also is responsible for registering business entities and granting them the authority to do business within the state, registering secured transactions, and granting access to public...
. The Ohio municipal and township roster, 2002-2003. Columbus, OhioColumbus, OhioColumbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
: The Secretary, 2003. - Virginia I. Shewalter. A History of Union Township, Butler County, Ohio. [West Chester, Ohio?]: The Author, 1979.