American Township, Allen County

Township · Allen County · 12,620 residents

Allen County

Local events in American Township, Allen County

American Township itself has 1 event posted in the next 90 days; the others here are within 20 miles. All local events in American Township, Allen County

  1. Octagon Club Meeting

    10:07 to 10:38 a.m. · Wapakoneta High School, 1 Redskin Trail, Wapakoneta, OH 45895, USA · Wapakoneta · 12 mi · From Wapakoneta City School District

  2. So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience @ WHS PAC

    6:30 to 8:30 p.m. · Wapakoneta High School · Wapakoneta · 12 mi · From Wapakoneta City School District

Checked October 20; the events page is refreshed daily.

How American Township, Allen County began

American Township sits at the geographical center of Allen County and was surveyed and settled in the late 1820s and 1830s, first as German Township. It carried that name from its 1833 organization until 1918, when residents petitioned to rename it after anti-German feeling following the sinking of the Lusitania. The Ottawa River (the lower course of Hog Creek) crosses the township past its two old villages, Allentown and Elida, and the township today holds the village of Elida in its northwest and part of the city of Lima in its southeast.

Settled 1826-1829 (first federal land purchases), incorporated organized as German Township, March 1833, by Trustees John Brand, William Bowman and Samuel Richards; Clerk Griffith John; Justice of the Peace John Ireland.

Where the name comes from

The township was established December 6, 1831 and organized in March 1833 as German Township, for the German ancestry of many of its early settlers. On August 16, 1918, the Allen County Commissioners granted a citizens' petition to rename it American Township; the petition cited anti-German sentiment following the sinking of the RMS Lusitania during World War I.

Before the town

No Native American sites or villages specific to American Township are recorded in the sources checked. The township's southern neighbor, Shawnee Township, held the Hog Creek Shawnee reservation (1817-1833) under the Treaty of the Maumee Rapids, and the Ottawa River/Hog Creek that runs through American Township is the same watercourse named for that reservation and for the Ottawa people, but no reservation land, village or documented site inside American Township's own boundaries turned up in the sources checked. The wider Native American history of the region includes the Hog Creek, Wapakoneta and Lewistown reservations and the 1817 and 1831 treaties.

Nations recorded here: Shawnee.

Timeline

  1. — First federal land entries recorded in the township by settlers including Robert Tate, George Knittel, William Knittel and James Turner Sr.
  2. — December 6: German Township is set off at the geographic center of the newly formed Allen County.
  3. — March: German Township is formally organized with its first trustees, clerk and justice of the peace.
  4. — William Myers and George Povenmyre plat the village of Allentown on Section 29, the township's earliest platted village.
  5. — Albert Clippinger opens a tannery at Allentown, described in the 1885 county history as the pioneer manufacturing industry of the township.
  6. — Griffith John lays out the village of Elida on Sections 7, 8, 17 and 18.
  7. — A post office named Elida opens; it operates continuously until 1959.
  8. — The United Brethren church circuit transfers from Allentown to Elida as Elida grows and Allentown declines.
  9. — Elida is incorporated as a village.
  10. — Lewis Feightner hires builder Isaac Rozell to raise a round barn south of Elida along East Road.
  11. — August 16: The Allen County Commissioners approve the citizens' petition renaming German Township to American Township.
  12. — April 17: The Isaac Rozell Round Barn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stories

Two villages, one river

The Ottawa River, which the 1885 county history calls the lower course of Hog Creek, cuts a northwesterly line through the township, and both of its old villages grew up along it. Allentown came first, platted in 1835 by William Myers and George Povenmyre on Section 29; it got a tannery in 1842 from Albert Clippinger, the township's first manufacturing concern, and its own Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren and Christian Union congregations. Elida followed in 1852, laid out by Griffith John a few miles up the same river. For a while the two villages ran in parallel, but by 1868 the United Brethren circuit itself moved its base from Allentown to Elida, a sign of where the growth was heading. Elida incorporated in 1878 and kept a post office until 1959; Allentown never incorporated and survives today only as a place name on the map.

A wartime renaming

For eighty-five years the township carried the name German Township, chosen at its 1831-1833 organization for the German ancestry of many of the farm families who had bought land there in the 1820s. That changed abruptly in 1918. With the United States at war against Germany and anti-German feeling running high nationwide after the 1915 sinking of the RMS Lusitania, township residents petitioned the Allen County Commissioners to drop the name. The commissioners agreed on August 16, 1918, and German Township became American Township, the name it has carried ever since.

A barn built round

In 1911, farmer Lewis Feightner hired builder Isaac Rozell to put up a round barn on his land along East Road south of Elida. Round barns were a brief agricultural fashion in the early twentieth-century Midwest, promoted as more efficient to build and to work in than a traditional rectangular barn, and northwest Ohio's old Black Swamp counties got a cluster of them. Rozell's barn survived long enough to be documented in a 1979 multiple-property study of the region's round barns and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1980, one of a handful of round barns in Allen County still standing.

Photographs

The Isaac Rozell Round Barn, built 1911, seen from the south, along East Road south of Elida
The Isaac Rozell Round Barn, built 1911, seen from the south, along East Road south of Elida (2010)
Photo: Nyttend, public domain · Wikimedia Commons
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 105 E. Main Street, Elida
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 105 E. Main Street, Elida (2015)
Photo: Nyttend, public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Local history sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · genealogytrails.com · ohiogenealogyexpress.com · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · commons.wikimedia.org · commons.wikimedia.org

Water

Auglaize River water fills the Bresler and Williams upground reservoirs west of Lima; Ottawa River water fills the Ferguson, Metzger Lake and Lost Creek reservoirs east of Lima; both feed the East Wayne Street treatment plant The water here

  • Lima City79% of residentsAuglaize River and Ottawa River, stored in city upground reservoirs
  • Elida Village21% of residentsAuglaize River and Ottawa River, stored in city upground reservoirs

Hospitals, fire stations and more

Inside American Township, Allen County's boundary: 1 health center, 1 dialysis center, 2 nursing homes, 1 fire or EMS station, 2 colleges, 2 public schools, 2 private schools, 2 poor-rated bridges, 1 museum, 1 police station, 3 public charging sites, 1 Toxics Release Inventory facility and 8 spill cases. Press a pin or a name for its whole record and its source.

Community health centers (1)

  1. North Lima Community Health CenterHealth center · Lima
    Run by
    a federally qualified health center
    Setting
    Clinic
    City
    Lima
    Coordinates
    40.76561, -84.12800

Source: HRSA health center service delivery sites, active, September 2026 (school-based sites left out). Health centers see patients whether or not they have insurance, with fees on a sliding scale.

Dialysis centers (1)

  1. Liberty Dialysis ServicesDialysis · Lima
    Address
    2440 Baton Rouge, Lima, OH 45805
    Dialysis stations
    1
    Medicare star rating
    not rated
    Services
    home hemodialysis training
    Ownership
    for profit
    Chain
    Other
    Medicare certified since
    2022-09-13
    Phone
    (937) 296-1550
    Medicare ID
    722503

Source: CMS dialysis facility list, September 2026, geocoded with the Census Bureau batch geocoder (an address it could not place sits at its ZIP center).

Nursing homes (2)

  1. Liberty Retirement Community of Lima Inc2 of 5 stars · Lima
    Address
    2440 Baton Rouge Avenue, Lima, OH 45805
    Certified beds
    60
    Residents on an average day
    46
    Medicare overall rating
    2 of 5 stars
    Health inspections
    1 of 5 stars
    Staffing
    3 of 5 stars
    Quality measures
    5 of 5 stars
    Penalties since 2023
    1 fine totalling $25,495 (latest 2026-03-19)
    Ownership
    For profit - Corporation
    Takes
    Medicare and Medicaid
    Phone
    (419) 331-2273
    Medicare ID
    365936
  2. Springs of Lima The5 of 5 stars · Lima
    Address
    370 North Eastown Road, Lima, OH 45807
    Certified beds
    56
    Residents on an average day
    53
    Medicare overall rating
    5 of 5 stars
    Health inspections
    5 of 5 stars
    Staffing
    3 of 5 stars
    Quality measures
    5 of 5 stars
    Penalties since 2023
    none
    Ownership
    For profit - Corporation
    Chain
    TRILOGY HEALTH SERVICES
    Takes
    Medicare and Medicaid
    Phone
    (419) 221-6051
    Medicare ID
    366464

Source: CMS Care Compare nursing home provider and penalties files; Medicare star ratings run 1 to 5.

Fire and EMS stations (1)

  1. American Township Fire Department Station 2Lima
    Address
    2110 Edgewood Drive, Lima, OH 45807
    Coordinates
    40.76806, -84.14424

Source: USGS National Map structures (most Ohio records last updated 2019 to 2022), checked against the Columbus and Cleveland station lists. The department that answers a call is set by jurisdiction and mutual aid, not by distance.

Colleges (2)

  1. Ohio State Beauty AcademyFor-profit two-year college · Lima
    What it is
    For-profit two-year college
    City
    Lima
    Students, 2023-24 (12-month count)
    114
    Graduation rate
    60% within three years (a class of 40)
    IPEDS unit ID
    204714
  2. University of Northwestern OhioPrivate nonprofit college · Lima
    What it is
    Private nonprofit college
    City
    Lima
    Students, 2023-24 (12-month count)
    3,175
    Tuition and fees, in state
    $12,930
    Graduation rate
    45% of bachelor's students, within six years (a class of 119)
    IPEDS unit ID
    204486

Source: NCES IPEDS 2024 directory, 2023-24 enrollment and tuition, graduation rates for the 2017 (four-year) and 2020 (two-year) entering classes.

Public schools (2)

  1. Elida Elementary3 of 5 stars · Elida
    Address
    300 Pioneer Rd, Elida, OH 45807
    School district
    Elida Local School District
    Kind (NCES)
    Regular School
    Students, 2023-24
    1,015
    Teachers (full-time equivalent)
    50
    Report card, 2025-26
    3 of 5 stars
    Performance index
    76.2%
    Ohio building IRN
    036350
    NCES school ID
    390457702340
  2. Elida Middle School4 of 5 stars · Elida
    Address
    4500 Sunnydale St, Elida, OH 45807
    School district
    Elida Local School District
    Kind (NCES)
    Regular School
    Students, 2023-24
    473
    Teachers (full-time equivalent)
    29
    Report card, 2025-26
    4 of 5 stars
    Performance index
    78%
    Ohio building IRN
    010082
    NCES school ID
    390457704223

Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2024-25 and Common Core of Data 2023-24 (type, students, teachers); Ohio School Report Cards 2025-26 (Department of Education and Workforce), matched by name within the district.

Private schools (2)

  1. Temple Christian SchoolPrivate, conservative Christian · Lima
    Address
    982 Brower Rd, Lima, OH 45801
    Kind
    conservative Christian
    Students, 2023-24
    300
    Teachers (full-time equivalent)
    31.5
    Students per teacher
    9.52381
    Phone
    (419) 227-1644
    NCES private school ID
    01614916
  2. The Lima Christian AcademyPrivate, conservative Christian · Lima
    Address
    3180 W Elm St, Lima, OH 45805
    Kind
    conservative Christian
    Students, 2023-24
    15
    Teachers (full-time equivalent)
    4.8
    Students per teacher
    3.125
    Phone
    (419) 991-5781
    NCES private school ID
    01064788

Source: NCES Private School Survey 2023-24.

Bridges rated poor (2)

  1. Beery Rd. over Pike Run Beery RdPoor · built 1968
    Condition
    Poor: a deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale
    What it is
    Bridge
    Built
    1968
    Length
    15 ft
    Owner
    County
    Vehicles a day
    268
    Coordinates
    40.79444, -84.13515
  2. Copus Rd. over Ottawa River - Copus RdPoor · built 1986
    Condition
    Poor: a deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale
    What it is
    Bridge
    Built
    1986
    Length
    44 ft
    Owner
    County
    Vehicles a day
    1,604
    Coordinates
    40.75340, -84.19081

Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory 2025. "Poor" means one major part rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale; it calls for repair, not closing, unless the state posts or closes the bridge.

Museums, historical societies, gardens and zoos (1)

  1. Historic Landmarks Of Allen CountyHistorical society · Lima
    What it is
    Historical society
    City
    Lima
    Coordinates
    40.74104, -84.17446

    The museum list is IMLS's 2018 file; a museum may have closed or moved since.

Source: IMLS Museum Data Files, 2018.

Police stations (1)

  1. American Township Police DepartmentLima
    Address
    102 Pioneer Road, Lima, OH 45807
    Coordinates
    40.78203, -84.18925

Source: USGS National Map structures, police stations, corrected and completed by hand (September 2026). The department that answers a call is set by jurisdiction, not by distance.

Public EV charging (3)

  1. Lima Auto Mall DC fast2 DC fast · 1 Level 2 · Lima
    Address
    2200 N Cable Rd, Lima, OH 45807
    Ports
    2 DC fast · 1 Level 2
    Plugs
    CCS, J1772
    Network
    EV Connect
    Hours
    24 hours daily
    Phone
    866-816-7584
  2. SPECTRUMFINDLAY LIMASPECTRUM2 Level 2 · Lima
    Address
    2300 Baton Rouge, Lima, OH 45805
    Ports
    2 Level 2
    Plugs
    J1772, Tesla (NACS)
    Network
    ChargePoint Network
    Hours
    24 hours daily
    Phone
    888-758-4389
  3. TOM AHL HYUNDAI UNIT 5 DC fast1 DC fast · Lima
    Address
    2701 Allentown Rd, Lima, OH 45805
    Ports
    1 DC fast
    Plugs
    CCS, CHAdeMO
    Network
    ChargePoint Network
    Hours
    24 hours daily
    Phone
    888-758-4389

Source: NREL Alternative Fuels Data Center station list (May 2026), public and open stations, the posts at one address counted as one site.

Facilities reporting toxic releases (1)

  1. Purina Animal Nutrition LlcToxics Release Inventory · Lima
    Address
    1111 North Cole Street, Lima, OH 45805
    County
    Allen County
    Status
    Reports to the Toxics Release Inventory (active)
    EPA program ID
    45305CNTRY111NO
    EPA registry ID
    110000825297

Source: EPA Facility Registry Service, Toxics Release Inventory reporters. Reporting a release is required of large users of listed chemicals; it is not by itself a violation.

Spills reported since 2021 (8)

  1. Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon2024-05-15 · American Twp
    Reported
    2024-05-15
    What spilled
    Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2405EPA0000812
  2. Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon Reached water2024-03-04 · American Twp
    Reported
    2024-03-04
    What spilled
    Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon
    Reached a waterway
    99 - Unnamed
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2403EPA0000336
  3. Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S)2024-01-25 · American Twp
    Reported
    2024-01-25
    What spilled
    Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S)
    Largest amount reported
    25 gallons
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2401EPA0000127
  4. Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2023-04-04 · American Twp
    Reported
    2023-04-04
    What spilled
    Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
    Largest amount reported
    30 gallons
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2304EPA0000511
  5. Fuel Gasoline ( 25% Ethanol Not E85)2022-12-20 · American Twp
    Reported
    2022-12-20
    What spilled
    Fuel Gasoline ( 25% Ethanol Not E85)
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2212EPA0001883
  6. Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2022-04-13 · American Twp
    Reported
    2022-04-13
    What spilled
    Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
    Largest amount reported
    13 gallons
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2204EPA0000499
  7. Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon2022-03-07 · American Twp
    Reported
    2022-03-07
    What spilled
    Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2203EPA0000283
  8. Fish Kill2026-07-31 · American Twp
    Reported
    2026-07-31
    What spilled
    Fish Kill
    Where
    American Twp, Allen County
    Ohio EPA district office
    NWDO
    Ohio EPA case number
    2607EPA0001399

Source: Ohio EPA emergency response spill reports, 2021 to September 2026, one point per case where Ohio EPA placed it. A report is what the caller or responder recorded; amounts are often blank or estimated.

Its ZIP codes

Each ZIP code that touches American Township, Allen County, with the share of its residents who live here and the same headline figures as the ZIP page.

Local government

Who holds office in American Township, Allen County, how its elections and ballot issues came out, and the state auditor's record.

Elections for office

DateOfficeCandidates and votes
2017-11-07 Township Trustee Paul Basinger 2,414, 51.55%; Lynn D. Mohler 2,269, 48.45%
2017-11-07 Township Fiscal Officer Brady M. Overholt 2,804, 100.0%
2015-11-03 Township Trustee Larry K. Vandemark 3,766, 100.0%
2015-11-03 Township Fiscal Officer Laurie D. Swick 3,601, 100.0%

Winners in bold. Results from the county board of elections' official canvass unless marked.

Auditor of State record

Quick answers

What county is American Township, Ohio in?

American Township, Allen County is a township in Allen County, Ohio, with 12,620 residents.

When was American Township, Ohio founded?

American Township, Allen County was settled 1826-1829 (first federal land purchases); incorporated organized as German Township, March 1833. Founders on record: Trustees John Brand, William Bowman and Samuel Richards; Clerk Griffith John; Justice of the Peace John Ireland. Source

How did American Township, Ohio get its name?

The township was established December 6, 1831 and organized in March 1833 as German Township, for the German ancestry of many of its early settlers. Source

What ZIP code is American Township, Ohio?

American Township, Allen County is served by ZIP codes 45807, 45805 and 45801; 45807 holds the largest share of its residents.

Where does American Township, Ohio get its water?

The main water source for American Township, Allen County (Lima City): Auglaize River water fills the Bresler and Williams upground reservoirs west of Lima; Ottawa River water fills the Ferguson, Metzger Lake and Lost Creek reservoirs east of Lima; both feed the East Wayne Street treatment plant.

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Cracked Buckeye, "American Township, Allen County", https://crackedbuckeye.com/place/american-township-allen-county/, built 2026-10-31, accessed [date].

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