Local events in Athens Township, Athens County
Nothing is posted for Athens Township itself yet; here is what is on within 10 miles. All local events in Athens Township, Athens County
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Checked October 20; the events page is refreshed daily.
How Athens Township, Athens County began
Athens Township, at the center of Athens County on the Hockhocking River, was surveyed by the Ohio Company in 1795 and organized in 1805 when the county was formed, then including land that now makes up five townships. Gregory's mill (1805-06) was the first dam authorized by an Ohio act, and the town of Athens, home of Ohio University, was incorporated in 1811. The township holds the city of Athens and, to the north, The Plains with its Adena mounds. Its population was 2,852 in 1860.
Incorporated 1805 (organized as a township).
Where the name comes from
The township takes its name from Athens, the county seat that sits within it, which was itself named for Athens, Greece, in hopes it would become a center of learning.
Before the town
Athens Township contains one of the best-documented Native American sites in the county: Adena Indian mounds at The Plains, in the township's northern section. These earthworks are part of a larger complex of Adena and Hopewell mounds in the Plains area, built by mound-building cultures active in the Hocking Valley roughly between 800 BC and AD 500. The historic-era nation most associated with the wider Hocking Valley by the late 1700s was the Shawnee. No specific historic-era village, trail or treaty line within Athens Township itself (apart from the city of Athens, which has its own record) is recorded.
Nations recorded here: Adena culture, Hopewell culture, Shawnee.
- The Plains mounds (mound|earthwork) — The Plains, northern Athens Township, Adena/Hopewell, c. 800 BC - AD 500 (en.wikipedia.org)
Timeline
- — The Ohio Company's survey of Athens and adjoining townships begins in January, with a guard of fifteen men because the Indian war had hardly closed; a committee reports the best sections for fifth-division lots on the upper Hockhocking.
- — The town of Athens is confirmed and established by act of the legislature on December 6; Arthur Coates keeps a ferry across the Hockhocking and William Harper another, near a site named Elizabethtown.
- — Athens Township is organized, the same year Athens County is formed.
- — The legislature authorizes Jehiel Gregory and John Havner to build a mill dam across the Hockhocking, the first Ohio act of its kind; Gregory's mill is built in 1805-06 east of town and a mill stands on the site continuously thereafter.
- — The legislature declares the Hockhocking navigable from its mouth to Rush Creek, the first Ohio act on the navigability of any stream.
- — The town of Athens is incorporated by act of January 28.
- — Capt. Silas Bingham builds the mill later known as the Herrold mill on Margaret's Creek.
- — The East bridge over the Hockhocking is built by J. B. and R. W. Miles and associates, modeled on the Zanesville bridges; the West bridge follows in 1836 and the South bridge in 1839, all begun as toll bridges and later made free.
- — The township's population is 2,852, up from 1,114 in 1820, 1,703 in 1830, 2,282 in 1840 and 2,360 in 1850; in 1866 Athens wins the new lunatic asylum.
- — The city of Athens, which supplies much of the township, begins relying on groundwater; its first well is sunk about 4,400 feet west of the courthouse.
- — The Athens well system, serving the township as well as the city, has expanded to about 1.3 million gallons a day.
- — After the 1968 Hocking River flood, the Army Corps of Engineers reroutes and widens the river channel around Athens, affecting the river's course through the township.
Stories
A township that surrounds a university
Athens Township is unusual among Ohio's rural townships because most of a small city — Athens, the county seat and home to Ohio University — sits inside it. The township was organized in 1805, the same year the county itself was carved out of Washington County, and it has always been defined by that relationship: the city forms its economic and civic core, while The Plains, a separate community in the township's north end, and the surrounding farmland retain a more rural, older Ohio Valley character. The Plains sits atop one of the county's most significant prehistoric sites, a set of Adena mounds built well over a thousand years before Athens was platted.
A mill dam by act of the legislature
In 1805 the Ohio legislature passed the first act in the state authorizing a mill dam, giving two Athens men, Jehiel Gregory and John Havner, the right to dam the Hockhocking opposite out-lot 10 in the new town, provided they built a lock or apron so boats could pass and piloted any craft over it. The mill, known as Gregory's mill, went up in 1805 and 1806 east of town, and a mill has stood on the spot ever since; in 1832 J. B. and R. W. Miles built a large flouring mill there. The same legislature had declared the Hockhocking navigable in 1808, the first such act in Ohio, and until bridges were built in the 1830s people crossed by scow ferries poled and rowed across, with rates set yearly by the county commissioners.
Local history sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · athensfoundation.org · archive.org
Historic places
1 place in Athens Township, Athens County on the National Register of Historic Places. Press a pin or a name for its whole record.
-
Hocking Valley Coal Company Town Historic DistrictHistoric district · The Plaines · listed 2007
- Address
- Jackson Dr. and Arbor Dr.
- Where
- The Plaines, Athens County · ZIP 45780
- What it is
- Historic district
- Listed on the National Register
- 2007
- NRIS reference number
- 07000579
- Coordinates
- 39.36436, -82.11811
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places point file. The listing year is shown where NPS's certification date agrees with the listing's reference number. Listing recognizes significance; it does not restrict a private owner.
Water
Wells in the Hocking River valley aquifer at the city's West State Street well field, about 2,000 feet north of the Hocking River The water here
- Athens Co., the Plains S.d. 151% of residentsHocking River Valley aquifer (wells)
- Athens48% of residentsHocking River Valley aquifer (wells)
- Sunday Creek Valley Water0% of residentsHocking River Buried Valley Aquifer (wells)
- Le-ax Regional Water District0% of residentsHocking River Valley aquifer (horizontal collector wells)
Hospitals, fire stations and more
Inside Athens Township, Athens County's boundary: 1 health center, 2 nursing homes, 2 fire and EMS stations, 1 high-hazard dam, 2 public schools, 1 library, 1 public charging site and 5 spill cases. Press a pin or a name for its whole record and its source.
Community health centers (1)
-
Appalachian Family Life CenterHealth center · The Plains
- Run by
- a federally qualified health center
- Setting
- Clinic
- City
- The Plains
- Coordinates
- 39.36712, -82.12972
Find a Health Center (HRSA) ↗ HRSA data (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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.
Nursing homes (2)
-
Hickory Creek of Athens4 of 5 stars · The Plains
- Address
- 51 East 4Th Street, The Plains, OH 45780
- Certified beds
- 90
- Residents on an average day
- 71
- Medicare overall rating
- 4 of 5 stars
- Health inspections
- 4 of 5 stars
- Staffing
- 3 of 5 stars
- Quality measures
- 3 of 5 stars
- Penalties since 2023
- none
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Chain
- FOUNDATIONS HEALTH SOLUTIONS
- Takes
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Phone
- (740) 797-4561
- Medicare ID
- 365589
Medicare Care Compare ↗ CMS nursing home data (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Laurels of Athens, The2 of 5 stars · Athens
- Address
- 70 Columbus Circle, Athens, OH 45701
- Certified beds
- 111
- Residents on an average day
- 103
- Medicare overall rating
- 2 of 5 stars
- Health inspections
- 2 of 5 stars
- Staffing
- 4 of 5 stars
- Quality measures
- 3 of 5 stars
- Penalties since 2023
- 1 fine totalling $38,912 (latest 2026-04-20)
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Chain
- CIENA HEALTHCARE/LAUREL HEALTH CARE
- Takes
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Phone
- (740) 592-1000
- Medicare ID
- 366396
- Map point
- the ZIP's center (the address did not geocode)
Medicare Care Compare ↗ CMS nursing home data (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: CMS Care Compare nursing home provider and penalties files; Medicare star ratings run 1 to 5.
Fire and EMS stations (2)
-
Richland Area Fire Department Station 1Athens
- Address
- 9255 Hooper Road, Athens, OH 45701
- Coordinates
- 39.28782, -82.12282
USGS National Map structures (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
The Plains Fire DepartmentThe Plains
- Address
- 29 Connett Road, The Plains, OH 45780
- Coordinates
- 39.36910, -82.13516
USGS National Map structures (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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.
High-hazard dams (1)
-
Nesbitt Pond DamTributary To Factory Creek · condition: satisfactory
- Hazard class
- High: a failure would probably cost a life
- Condition
- Satisfactory (assessed 06/27/2023)
- River or stream
- Tributary To Factory Creek
- Purpose
- Recreation
- Type
- Earth
- Height
- 29 ft
- Storage
- 40 acre-feet
- Completed
- 1953
- Owner type
- Private
- County
- Athens County
- Nearest town (NID)
- Grosvenor
- Last inspection
- 06/16/2022
- Emergency action plan
- No
- NID ID
- OH00081
National Inventory of Dams record ↗ National Inventory of Dams (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams, August 2026. "High hazard" rates what a failure would cost downstream, not how likely one is; the condition is the state's assessment.
Public schools (2)
-
Athens High School4.5 of 5 stars · The Plains
- Address
- 1 High School Rd, The Plains, OH 45780
- School district
- Athens City School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 693
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 44
- Report card, 2025-26
- 4.5 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 80.3%
- Four-year graduation rate
- 94.1%
- Ohio building IRN
- 001149
- NCES school ID
- 390435200097
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
The Plains Intermediate School3.5 of 5 stars · The Plains
- Address
- 90 Connett Rd, The Plains, OH 45780
- School district
- Athens City School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 530
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 30.5
- Report card, 2025-26
- 3.5 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 78.1%
- Ohio building IRN
- 037028
- NCES school ID
- 390435200102
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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.
Public libraries (1)
-
The Plains BranchBranch · The Plains
- Address
- 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains, OH 45780
- What it is
- Branch
- Library system
- Athens County Public Libraries
- Open
- 2,288 hours a year, 52 weeks
- Building
- 6,298 sq ft
- System's visits, FY2024
- 315,692
- System's loans, FY2024
- 559,090
- People the system serves
- 62,431
- Phone
- (740) 797-4579
IMLS Public Libraries Survey (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: IMLS Public Libraries Survey FY2024 (outlets and their systems). Any Ohio resident can get a free card at any Ohio public library.
Public EV charging (1)
-
8 N PLAINS RURAL ACTION2 Level 2 · The Plains
- Address
- 8 N Plains Rd, The Plains, OH 45780
- Ports
- 2 Level 2
- Plugs
- J1772
- Network
- ChargePoint Network
- Hours
- Mon: 12:00am-11:59pm; Tue: 12:00am-11:59pm; Wed: 12:00am-11:59pm; Thu: 12:00am-11:59pm; Fri: 12:00am-11:59pm; Sat: 12:00am-11:59pm; Sun: 12:00am-11:59pm
- Phone
- 888-758-4389
Station Locator (NREL) ↗ Alternative Fuels Data Center (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: NREL Alternative Fuels Data Center station list (May 2026), public and open stations, the posts at one address counted as one site.
Spills reported since 2021 (5)
-
Oil Petroleum Not Otherwise Specified (Nos)2025-03-28 · Athens Twp
- Reported
- 2025-03-28
- What spilled
- Oil Petroleum Not Otherwise Specified (Nos)
- Largest amount reported
- 5 gallons
- Where
- Athens Twp, Athens County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SEDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2503EPA0000449
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S)2024-11-26 · Athens Twp
- Reported
- 2024-11-26
- What spilled
- Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S); Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 55 gallons
- Where
- Athens Twp, Athens County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SEDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2411EPA0001937
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Sediment / Sedimentation2022-11-17 · Athens Twp
- Reported
- 2022-11-17
- What spilled
- Sediment / Sedimentation
- Where
- Athens Twp, Athens County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SEDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2211EPA0001716
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Orphan Drum(S)2021-09-02 · Athens Twp
- Reported
- 2021-09-02
- What spilled
- Orphan Drum(S)
- Largest amount reported
- 3,025 gallons
- Where
- Athens Twp, Athens County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SEDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2109EPA0001398
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2021-09-01 · Athens Twp
- Reported
- 2021-09-01
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 25 gallons
- Where
- Athens Twp, Athens County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SEDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2109EPA0001383
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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 Athens Township, Athens County, with the share of its residents who live here and the same headline figures as the ZIP page.
| ZIP | Share | Water | Radon | Home value | Schools | Flood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45780 Athens Township and The Plains | 80% | Wells in the Hocking River valley aquifer at the city's West State Street well field, about 2,000 feet north of the Hocking River | 9.7 pCi/L average radon | Median year built 1979 | Athens City · 4 stars overall | 0.2% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
| 45701 Athens | 11% | Wells in the Hocking River valley aquifer at the city's West State Street well field, about 2,000 feet north of the Hocking River | 2.5 pCi/L average radon | Median year built 1966 | Athens City · 4 stars overall | 29% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
Local government
Who holds office in Athens Township, Athens County, how its elections and ballot issues came out, and the state auditor's record.
Money issues on the ballot since 2022: 4 of 4 passed.
Ballot issues
| Date | Issue | For | Against | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-05 | 9: 9 Athens Township Tax Levy Roads | 2,085 | 1,242 | Passed (62.67% for) |
| 2024-11-05 | 10: 10 Athens Township Tax Levy The Plains Fire | 1,000 | 479 | Passed (67.61% for) |
| 2022-11-08 | 13: #13 Athens Township Tax Levy Richland Fire | 1,222 | 301 | Passed (80.24% for) |
| 2022-11-08 | 14: #14 Athens Township Tax Levy The Plains Fire | 825 | 306 | Passed (72.94% for) |
| 2020-11-03 | 11: 11 Athens Twp Tax Levy Zoning | 634 | 428 | Passed (59.7% for), unofficial |
Elections for office
| Date | Office | Candidates and votes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-02 | Township Trustee (unofficial count) | Brian Baker 2,146, 49.5%; Steven H. Pierson 2,189, 50.5% |
Winners in bold. Results from the county board of elections' official canvass unless marked.
Auditor of State record
- No fiscal caution, watch or emergency on the Auditor of State's lists.
- Financial Audit, 2024 to 2025, released 2026-07-09
- Agreed Upon Procedures, 2022 to 2023, released 2024-11-14
The county
Athens County: 16 ZIP codes, 29 cities, villages and townships, 67,237 people.
Nearby places
Quick answers
What county is Athens Township, Ohio in?
Athens Township, Athens County is a township in Athens County, Ohio, with 6,549 residents.
When was Athens Township, Ohio founded?
Athens Township, Athens County was incorporated 1805 (organized as a township). Source
How did Athens Township, Ohio get its name?
The township takes its name from Athens, the county seat that sits within it, which was itself named for Athens, Greece, in hopes it would become a center of learning. Source
What ZIP code is Athens Township, Ohio?
Athens Township, Athens County is served by ZIP codes 45780 and 45701; 45780 holds the largest share of its residents.
Where does Athens Township, Ohio get its water?
The main water source for Athens Township, Athens County (Athens Co., the Plains S.d. 1): Wells in the Hocking River valley aquifer at the city's West State Street well field, about 2,000 feet north of the Hocking River.
Cite this page
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Athens Township, Athens County", https://crackedbuckeye.com/place/athens-township-athens-county/, built 2026-10-31, accessed [date].
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