Harrison Township
Organized In 1816
Organized In 1816
Offices located at: 6750 Outville Road, Pataskala, Ohio Tel: (740) 927-8277 Central Ohio "Licking County"
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Harrison Township History
B&O Railroad Station - Circa 1900
Old Meeting Hall
Harrison Township, organized in 1816, is the oldest organized community in Southwest Licking County. Much of this land that forms
Licking County is encompassed in the "United States Military Tract". This tract contains two million, five hundred, and sixty thousand
acres of land, which was pledged to those who served in the army, as payment for their military service, during the Revolutionary War.
These parcels were conveyed to claimants by our second president, John Adams. Much of this land was held by absentee owners,
consequently unpopulated, and ultimately sold in the 1830's for five dollars or less per acre.
During the late 1820's and early 1830's, the "Old Mud Pike" (modern day St. Rt. 16) and the "National Road" contributed to a population
spike within the township. These roads, primitive as they were, opened up the township to movement in and around Central Ohio. As
such, Harrison Township saw its first growth spurt.
Modern day Harrison Township has 8,000 + residents. During the 1960's and 1970's the township again began to grow at a rapid pace.
This is due to the many public services provided, the improving facilities and infrastructure, convenience to major metropolitan areas,
and the overall quality of life that can be found in our community. As the area continued to grow, other major changes arrived, including
the formation of the West Licking Fire District and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District. The formation of these
districts has without question improved services, conditions, and property values within the township.
Currently, the township's business is conducted at the Harrison Township Community Complex, located in Outville. This facility
encompasses thirty two acres, with township offices, maintenance facilities, park site, shelter houses, the former township house, and
the former B&O Railroad depot. The depot was returned to Outville after a thirty year absence in which it had been utilized as a storage
barn. This return and subsequent restoration was done through the foresight and understanding of the significance of the building by
the township trustees, which were serving at that time. Moreover, the depot is the only building in Southwest Licking County, outside of
Pataskala, to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This complex provides our growing community a place to expand and
to continue to provide the services our residents have come to expect and appreciate.
Licking County is encompassed in the "United States Military Tract". This tract contains two million, five hundred, and sixty thousand
acres of land, which was pledged to those who served in the army, as payment for their military service, during the Revolutionary War.
These parcels were conveyed to claimants by our second president, John Adams. Much of this land was held by absentee owners,
consequently unpopulated, and ultimately sold in the 1830's for five dollars or less per acre.
During the late 1820's and early 1830's, the "Old Mud Pike" (modern day St. Rt. 16) and the "National Road" contributed to a population
spike within the township. These roads, primitive as they were, opened up the township to movement in and around Central Ohio. As
such, Harrison Township saw its first growth spurt.
Modern day Harrison Township has 8,000 + residents. During the 1960's and 1970's the township again began to grow at a rapid pace.
This is due to the many public services provided, the improving facilities and infrastructure, convenience to major metropolitan areas,
and the overall quality of life that can be found in our community. As the area continued to grow, other major changes arrived, including
the formation of the West Licking Fire District and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District. The formation of these
districts has without question improved services, conditions, and property values within the township.
Currently, the township's business is conducted at the Harrison Township Community Complex, located in Outville. This facility
encompasses thirty two acres, with township offices, maintenance facilities, park site, shelter houses, the former township house, and
the former B&O Railroad depot. The depot was returned to Outville after a thirty year absence in which it had been utilized as a storage
barn. This return and subsequent restoration was done through the foresight and understanding of the significance of the building by
the township trustees, which were serving at that time. Moreover, the depot is the only building in Southwest Licking County, outside of
Pataskala, to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This complex provides our growing community a place to expand and
to continue to provide the services our residents have come to expect and appreciate.