Local events in Richland Township, Allen County
Nothing is posted for Richland Township itself yet; here is what is on within 10 miles. All local events in Richland Township, Allen County
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Checked October 20; the events page is refreshed daily.
How Richland Township, Allen County began
Richland Township lies in the northeastern corner of Allen County and was not originally part of it: it came over from Putnam County in an 1848 boundary reorganization along with Monroe Township and the southern half of Sugar Creek Township. Its two villages, Bluffton and Beaverdam, grew up around German Reformed, Swiss Mennonite and Irish Catholic settlement in the 1830s and 1850s. Bluffton straddles the Allen-Hancock county line and is today the larger of the two, home to Bluffton University; Beaverdam sits at the township's southwest edge on the rail line and grain-elevator trade that also served the neighboring Putnam County village of Pandora. The township remains farm country outside the two villages.
Incorporated 1848 (transferred from Putnam County to Allen County).
Where the name comes from
No source found that explains why this township was named Richland; it is one of twelve townships named Richland statewide in Ohio, a common descriptive name for good farmland. Not researched further beyond the county history's table of contents, which lists Richland Township's chapter without giving the naming rationale in the portion available.
Before the town
No site-specific Native American history for Richland Township itself was found in the sources checked. The township lay within the area reserved to Native nations by the Treaty of Greenville (1795) and was not open to settlement until the Treaty of the Maumee Rapids (Fort Meigs), signed September 29, 1817, which assigned the Shawnee a 25-square-mile reservation at their Hog Creek settlement — but that reservation was centered on present-day Shawnee Township, roughly 10 miles southwest of Richland Township, not here. Nothing in the sources checked ties a village, trail, or mound specifically to Richland Township.
Nations recorded here: Shawnee.
Timeline
- — The Treaty of the Maumee Rapids (Fort Meigs) opens the future Allen County to settlement by ceding Wyandot, Shawnee, Seneca, and allied lands, while reserving a 25-square-mile Shawnee tract at Hog Creek roughly ten miles southwest of present Richland Township.
- — Bluffton is founded, first known as Croghan's Corners after its postmaster, by Swiss Mennonite, German Reformed, and Irish Catholic settlers; a Remarkable Ohio historical marker at Bluffton gives 1837 as the founding year, while Wikipedia's article gives 1831 — both are cited here since the sources disagree.
- — Richland Township, along with Monroe Township and the southern half of Sugar Creek Township, is transferred from Putnam County to Allen County.
- — A post office called Beaver Dam is established at the future village of Beaverdam in southwestern Richland Township.
- — Beaverdam is laid out, named for beaver dams found near the original townsite.
- — Beaverdam is incorporated as a village.
- — The Beaver Dam post office is renamed Beaverdam.
- — Bank robber John Dillinger's gang robs the Bluffton bank of about $6,000 on August 14.
- — The Beaverdam post office closes.
- — Pandora Grain and Supply, based just across the county line in Putnam County, moves its primary operations to the Beaverdam elevator to take advantage of its rail access and proximity to I-75.
Stories
A village that changed its name twice before it kept one
Bluffton's settlers first called their crossroads Croghan's Corners, after the local postmaster. Looking for something with more appeal, residents next chose Shannon for the green countryside around it — only to discover Ohio already had a Shannon. They settled on Bluffton instead, a plain description of the low bluffs the town sits on above the Riley Creek valley. The community that emerged was religiously distinct for its region: Swiss Mennonites, German Reformed settlers, and Irish Catholics built churches within a few blocks of each other, a mix that later shaped Bluffton University, which the Mennonite community founded and still runs. In 2011 the village marked its sesquicentennial with a town-wide celebration, dating itself from the 1861 or so reckoning rather than the earlier 1830s founding claimed elsewhere.
Beaverdam's grain trade outgrows its neighbor
Beaverdam was platted in 1853 along the rail line that would carry Allen County grain to market, and it built the elevator and rail siding that still define the village today. Across the Putnam County line, the village of Pandora ran its own grain business for well over a century. In 2020 Pandora Grain and Supply consolidated its main operations at Beaverdam, choosing the Allen County village's direct rail access and its position near Interstate 75 over its own home base — a small sign of how the railroad-era logic that built these grain towns in the 1850s still sorts winners and losers a century and a half later.
Photographs
Photo: Miami University Libraries Digital Collections (Bowden Postcard Collection), via Flickr Commons, no known copyright restrictions · Wikimedia Commons
Local history sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · ohiohistorycentral.org · hmdb.org · archive.org · commons.wikimedia.org
Water
Blanchard River (via intake reservoir) The water here
- Bluffton Village82% of residentsBlanchard River (via intake reservoir)
- Columbus Grove Village7% of residentsGroundwater wells (3 wells)
- Pandora Village5% of residentsGroundwater wells (2 wells)
- Elida Village3% of residentsAuglaize River and Ottawa River, stored in city upground reservoirs
- Lima City2% of residentsAuglaize River and Ottawa River, stored in city upground reservoirs
- Green Meadow MHP-hancock Co0% of residentsGroundwater wells (1 wells)
- Beaverdam Village0% of residentsGroundwater wells (3 wells)
Hospitals, fire stations and more
Inside Richland Township, Allen County's boundary: 1 nursing home, 1 poor-rated bridge and 16 spill cases. Press a pin or a name for its whole record and its source.
Nursing homes (1)
-
Willow Ridge of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio5 of 5 stars · Bluffton
- Address
- 101 Willow Ridge Drive, Bluffton, OH 45817
- Certified beds
- 20
- Residents on an average day
- 18
- Medicare overall rating
- 5 of 5 stars
- Health inspections
- 4 of 5 stars
- Staffing
- 5 of 5 stars
- Quality measures
- 4 of 5 stars
- Penalties since 2023
- none
- Ownership
- Non profit - Church related
- Continuing care retirement community
- Yes
- Takes
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Phone
- (419) 358-1015
- Medicare ID
- 366402
- 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.
Bridges rated poor (1)
-
Putnam Co. Line over Stream Put Co LnPoor · built 1975
- Condition
- Poor: a deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale
- What it is
- Culvert
- Built
- 1975
- Length
- 8 ft
- Owner
- County
- Vehicles a day
- 509
- Coordinates
- 40.92029, -83.91529
National Bridge Inventory (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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.
Spills reported since 2021 (16)
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2025-12-18 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2025-12-18
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2512EPA0002016
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S)2024-11-05 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2024-11-05
- What spilled
- Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S); Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2411EPA0001837
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2024-04-16 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2024-04-16
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2404EPA0000635
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2024-01-29 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2024-01-29
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2401EPA0000154
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fish Kill2022-07-22 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2022-07-22
- What spilled
- Fish Kill
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2207EPA0001116
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2022-05-09 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2022-05-09
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 60 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2205EPA0000661
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon Reached water2021-08-16 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2021-08-16
- What spilled
- Sheen Rainbow / Hydrocarbon
- Reached a waterway
- 02 - Little Riley Creek
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2108EPA0001264
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle Reached water2021-06-19 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2021-06-19
- What spilled
- Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle; Fuel Gasoline ( 25% Ethanol Not E85)
- Largest amount reported
- 5 gallons
- Reached a waterway
- 02 - Cranberry Creek
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2106EPA0000892
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2021-01-31 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2021-01-31
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 100 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2101EPA0000137
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle2026-06-27 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-06-27
- What spilled
- Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle
- Largest amount reported
- 25 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2606EPA0001152
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle2026-06-25 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-06-25
- What spilled
- Oil Motor / Lube Oil / Vehicle
- Largest amount reported
- 30 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2606EPA0001147
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2026-06-11 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-06-11
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 30 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2606EPA0001033
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2026-04-20 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-04-20
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Largest amount reported
- 30 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2604EPA0000662
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S)2026-03-26 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-03-26
- What spilled
- Oil Hydraulic Fluid(S); Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2603EPA0000497
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Asbestos2026-03-23 · Riley Twp
- Reported
- 2026-03-23
- What spilled
- Asbestos
- Where
- Riley Twp, Putnam County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2603EPA0000466
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Refrigerant Other Or Unk Type2026-02-09 · Richland Twp
- Reported
- 2026-02-09
- What spilled
- Refrigerant Other Or Unk Type
- Largest amount reported
- 50 gallons
- Where
- Richland Twp, Allen County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2602EPA0000142
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 Richland 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 Richland Township, Allen County, how its elections and ballot issues came out, and the state auditor's record.
Elections for office
| Date | Office | Candidates and votes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-07 | Township Trustee | Rod Goldsberry 1,223, 47.68%; Gary Lugibihl 1,342, 52.32% |
| 2017-11-07 | Township Fiscal Officer | Neil J. Reichenbach 1,440, 100.0% |
| 2015-11-03 | Township Trustee | Donald K. Brauen 1,721, 100.0% |
| 2015-11-03 | Township Fiscal Officer | Jim Weaver 1,695, 100.0% |
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, 2022 to 2023, released 2025-05-27
The county
Allen County: 13 ZIP codes, 26 cities, villages and townships, 110,066 people.
Nearby places
Quick answers
What county is Richland Township, Ohio in?
Richland Township, Allen County is a township in Allen County, Ohio, with 1,787 residents.
When was Richland Township, Ohio founded?
Richland Township, Allen County was incorporated 1848 (transferred from Putnam County to Allen County). Source
What ZIP code is Richland Township, Ohio?
Richland Township, Allen County is served by ZIP codes 45817, 45877 and 45830; 45817 holds the largest share of its residents.
Where does Richland Township, Ohio get its water?
The main water source for Richland Township, Allen County (Bluffton Village): Blanchard River (via intake reservoir).
Cite this page
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Richland Township, Allen County", https://crackedbuckeye.com/place/richland-township-allen-county/, built 2026-10-31, accessed [date].
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