Bidwell, Ohio

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Bidwell is a small, unincorporated village located in Springfield Township, Gallia County, Ohio. The population of Bidwell, combined with its neighbor Porter, is approximately 450 residents. Bidwell is located eleven miles from the county seat, Gallipolis.

It is located at latitude 38.918N and longitude -82.299W, at an elevation of about 682 feet.^[1]

Contents 1 History 2 Local Features in Bidwell 2.1 Shopping 2.2 Schools 2.3 Fire protection 3 References

[edit] History

The community of Bidwell was so named due to John Bidwell, the prohibition party's president in 1892.^[2]

Bidwell also holds one of Ohio's historical markers which commemorate certain areas of importance in Ohio's history. Prior to the deconstruction of the railroad that went through the town, Bidwell was a stop for certain railroad companies hauling to a local feed mill. It was also one of the small settlements that sprung up around the construction of the railroads.

[edit] Local Features in Bidwell

[edit] Shopping

Bidwell contains a single shopping center as of February 26, 2007. However, in anticipation of future growth in the area, Dollar General have begun construction on a new store located directly across the road from Bidwell-Porter Elementary School.

[edit] Schools

There is a school located in Porter, Bidwell's close neighbor, known as Bidwell Porter Elementary School. The school is a kindergarten to eighth grade school, and enrollment is approximately 600 students. Students who graduate from Bidwell usually attend River Valley High School, located in Cheshire, Ohio.

Following voter approval of a tax levy during the 2005 election year, construction on a new, replacement school for River Valley High School has been started and is due to be completed in 2008. This school is located closer to Bidwell, and is slated to serve the same population of students as would have been served by River Valley.

[edit] Fire protection

Fire safety in Bidwell is taken care of by the local Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department. Most funding for the station is received from tax levies.

[edit] References

	Gallia County, Ohio Gallipolis, county seat
Municipalities	Centerville | Cheshire | Crown City | Gallipolis | Rio Grande | Vinton
Townships	Addison | Cheshire | Clay | Gallipolis | Green | Greenfield | Guyan | Harrison | Huntington | Morgan | Ohio | Perry | Raccoon | Springfield | Walnut
Other localities	Bidwell | Kerr | Patriot | Thurman

Coordinates: 38°55′07″N, 82°17′57″W