Genoa Township, Delaware County, Ohio

Genoa Township, Delaware County, Ohio
Township

Diadatus Keeler House
Motto: A Nice Place to Live

Location of Genoa Township in Delaware County
Coordinates: 40°10′4″N 82°54′26″W / 40.16778°N 82.90722°W / 40.16778; -82.90722Coordinates: 40°10′4″N 82°54′26″W / 40.16778°N 82.90722°W / 40.16778; -82.90722
Country United States
State Ohio
County Delaware
Area
 • Total 21.5 sq mi (55.6 km2)
 • Land 17.6 sq mi (45.7 km2)
 • Water 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km2)
Elevation[1] 928 ft (283 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 23,093
 • Density 1,308/sq mi (505.1/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
FIPS code 39-29694[2]
GNIS feature ID 1086047[1]
Website www.genoatwp.com

Genoa Township is one of the eighteen townships of Delaware County, Ohio, United States. The 2010 census found a population of 23,093 in the township.[3]

Geography

Located in the southeastern part of the county, it borders the following townships and city:

The Highland Lakes and Medallion areas constitute a significant portion of the largely developed southern portion of the township. The northern half of Genoa Township is still generally rural, but beginning to be developed as well. Genoa Township is one of the fastest growing areas near Columbus.

A majority of the southern portion of the Township from the Delaware County border with Franklin County northward to Maxtown Road were annexed by the City of Westerville decades ago.

Name and history

The Marcus Curtis Inn, constructed in 1822, was placed on the National Register in 1976.

The first non-Native American settlement of Genoa Township occurred adjacent to the eastern banks of Big Walnut Creek, which had been named by early pioneers for the dense growth of black walnut trees which grew along it. Due to the fact that much of the land was covered with dense forests, waterways such as Big Walnut Creek were a primary source of identification and transportation. In 1806, Jeremiah Curtiss of Connecticut became the first settler. He built a sawmill, a gristmill and a still along the bank of Big Walnut Creek. Though he moved to Marietta in 1811, his son, John Curtiss, returned to the township following the death of his father on June 21, 1813. Jeremiah's brother, Marcus, arrived in 1808 and around 1812 established the Marcus Curtiss Inn. The original inn was a log structure, but by 1822 a brick inn had been constructed. This structure still stands on Sunbury Road and is now a private residence. Both Jeremiah and Marcus are buried in Copeland Cemetery located on Yankee Street, adjacent to the eastern banks of Hoover Reservoir.[4]

The Township was officially established in 1816, having been sectioned off from neighboring Harlem Township. The Township was named after Genoa, Italy, the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus, having been suggested by an early settler of the Township named Elisha Bennett.[5] Unlike its namesake, the Township's name is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, as ge-NO-a. Genoa Township is the only township named as such statewide. However, there is a village of Genoa located in Ottawa County, Ohio.[6]

A relatively large portion of the Township is consumed by the Hoover Reservoir which provides drinking water the City of Columbus. The reservoir was constructed by damming Big Walnut Creek between Smothers Road and Central College Road and flooding the surrounding low lands. Construction began in 1953. While a dedication was held in 1955, the official opening did not occur until 1958. Numerous roads were re-routed or severed in order to construct the reservoir. While swimming within the reservoir is prohibited, recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and sailing are permitted with public landings and fishing areas provided at several locations around the perimeter of the reservoir.

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,[7] 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 Office or on the Board of Trustees are filled by the Trustees via a special appointment until an election can be held. The Trustees currently employ a Township Administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Township and its staff.

Public services

Education

The Township is served by Big Walnut Local School District, Olentangy Local School District, and Westerville City School District, all fast-growing districts.

Safety

Emergency medical services in Genoa Township are provided by the Genoa Township Fire Department with aid also being provided by Delaware County. The Township also employs its own full-time police and fire departments and has mutual aid agreements with neighboring communities.

Planning and Zoning

The Township's first comprehensive land use plan was adopted in 1999 with subsequent revisions in 2008 and 2009. The Township is also a zoned community having adopted a Zoning Resolution which regulates the use and development of land within the community.

References

  1. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ Ohio: 2010 Summary Population and Housing Characteristics U.S. Census Bureau, 2012. Accessed 17 September 2015.
  4. ↑ http://delawareo.com/2014/05/03/take-a-journey-through-genoa/
  5. ↑ History of Delaware County and Ohio. O. L. Baskin & Company. 1880. p. 601.
  6. ↑ "Detailed map of Ohio" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  7. ↑ §503.24, §505.01, and §507.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. Accessed 4/30/2009.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, February 09, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.