Local events in West Alexandria
8 events in the next 90 days from 2 public calendars. All local events in West Alexandria
Checked October 20; the events page is refreshed daily.
How West Alexandria began
West Alexandria was laid out in 1818, named for co-founder William Alexander, and gained a post office in 1828. It lies in northeastern Preble County, partly in Twin Township and partly in Lanier Township, and its population peaked at 1,553 in 1970. The George B. Unger House, the Lange Hotel and the West Alexandria Depot are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village hosts an Oktoberfest and Santa's Villa in December, and had 1,334 residents at the 2020 census.
Settled 1817 (William Alexander), platted August 1818, incorporated March 14, 1836 (by act of the legislature), by William Alexander (Lanier Township side) and Henry Keisling (Twin Township side).
Where the name comes from
The village was named for William Alexander, one of its founders.
Before the town
No mound, village, trail or treaty site specific to West Alexandria is recorded.
Nations recorded here: Miami, Shawnee.
Timeline
- — William Alexander, born in Virginia in 1791, migrates to Ohio in the spring, buys eighty acres from Jacob Hill in the Twin valley and brings his family the next spring to find a clearing and four log buildings: a schoolhouse, the Union church and two cabins.
- — West Alexandria was laid out and named for co-founder William Alexander.
- — William Alexander builds a small frame schoolhouse to replace the log one, where he himself had taught the third term; in the spring of 1819 Valentine Mikesell builds a frame tavern at Main and Dayton streets, and the original plat of forty lots is divided between Alexander on the Lanier Township side and Henry Keisling on the Twin Township side.
- — A post office opened in West Alexandria.
- — The Greek Revival George B. Unger House was built at 29 E. Dayton Street.
- — The town is incorporated by act of the legislature on March 14, and Charles Smith is elected first mayor on the third Monday of April.
- — William Alexander, regarded as the town's founder, dies in April; his widow lives on in the town for nearly seventy years.
- — King Hiram Lodge No. 88, Free and Accepted Masons, is chartered March 19; it meets in the Huston block until the fire of 1863 and in 1905 moves to its own temple.
- — On July 26, during a public celebration of the capture of the raider John Hunt Morgan, the tavern Alexander had built burns, destroying the neighboring Huston block as well, the most disastrous fire in the town's history.
- — A three-story brick mansard-roofed school is begun at a cost of $13,000, with Oscar Sheppard as first principal until 1878; an east wing is added in 1904 and a larger school replaces it later.
- — The Twin Valley Times begins publication on April 15; the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad reaches the town, celebrated with a 'Mackinaw Day' on October 9 attended by an estimated five thousand people.
- — The Twin Valley Bank (S. Black and Company) is organized by upwards of a dozen leading citizens; the Farmers and Citizens Bank follows in early 1905.
- — The village installs one of the first waterworks systems in the state at a cost of about $17,000, drawing from artesian wells in the south of town and pumping to a standpipe in the north.
- — Electric cars of the Dayton Western Railway first run through the town in June, and the Twin Valley Echo, a second newspaper, starts March 23.
- — West Alexandria has about 1,100 inhabitants, four churches, a newspaper, two banks, steam and electric railroads, and is said to be the wealthiest town in the state in proportion to its population.
- — West Alexandria's population peaked at 1,553.
- — The George B. Unger House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- — The Lange Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- — The West Alexandria Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stories
Mackinaw Day, 1886
When the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad was built to West Alexandria in 1886, the people of the Twin valley chose to celebrate. On October 9 a cedar arch was raised over the track at the Dayton Street crossing, cannon woke the valley, and all roads led to the town; the crowd was estimated at five thousand. Banners read 'Welcome' and 'Progress' beneath a picture of a locomotive, and a huge platform for speakers, brass bands and drum corps stood on the school campus, with over six hundred feet of tables where the women of the old Twin valley laid out roast and baked dishes for a hungry public. The 1915 history says the day was one of deliverance for the valley: no longer would farmers have to wagon to Dayton for their salt and to Cincinnati to sell their produce, because the iron horse would bring a market to their doors.
The tavern that burned for Morgan
William Alexander built a larger tavern on the site of his own dwelling after Valentine Mikesell's small frame tavern of 1819, and it passed into the hands of Dennis Kelly. On July 26, 1863, the town held a public jollification over the capture of the Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan. In the course of the celebration the tavern caught fire and burned, and with it the adjoining Huston block, the most disastrous fire in the history of West Alexandria. King Hiram Lodge of Masons, which had met in the Huston block since its charter in 1842, lost its lodge room and moved into the new Stotler-Glander block when it was built in 1866.
Photographs
Photo: Nyttend (own work), public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Local history sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · commons.wikimedia.org · commons.wikimedia.org · archive.org
Historic places
3 places in West Alexandria on the National Register of Historic Places. Press a pin or a name for its whole record.
-
Lange HotelBuilding · West Alexandria · listed 1991
- Address
- 1 W. Dayton St.
- Where
- West Alexandria, Preble County · ZIP 45381
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1991
- NRIS reference number
- 90002213
- Coordinates
- 39.74470, -84.53251
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
Unger, George B., HouseBuilding · West Alexandria · listed 1978
- Address
- 29 E. Dayton St.
- Where
- West Alexandria, Preble County · ZIP 45381
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1978
- NRIS reference number
- 78002176
- Coordinates
- 39.74441, -84.53065
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
West Alexandria DepotBuilding · West Alexandria · listed 2006
- Address
- 71 E. Dayton St.
- Where
- West Alexandria, Preble County · ZIP 45381
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 2006
- NRIS reference number
- 06000696
- Coordinates
- 39.74513, -84.52859
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
Mostly private wells The water here
- West Alexandria, Village Of99% of residentsGroundwater wells (3 wells)
- Gratis Village1% of residentsGroundwater wells (2 wells)
Hospitals, fire stations and more
Inside West Alexandria's boundary: 1 fire or EMS station, 3 public schools, 1 library, 1 police station, 2 Toxics Release Inventory facilities and 2 spill cases. Press a pin or a name for its whole record and its source.
Fire and EMS stations (1)
-
West Alexandria Fire DepartmentWest Alexandria
- Address
- 25 East Dayton Street, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- Coordinates
- 39.74480, -84.53087
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.
Public schools (3)
-
Twin Valley South Elementary School3.5 of 5 stars · West Alexandria
- Address
- 100 Education Dr, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- School district
- Twin Valley Community Local School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 448
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 24.33
- Report card, 2025-26
- 3.5 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 77.2%
- Ohio building IRN
- 038513
- NCES school ID
- 390490003212
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Twin Valley South High School3 of 5 stars · West Alexandria
- Address
- 100 Education Dr, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- School district
- Twin Valley Community Local School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 208
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 13.33
- Report card, 2025-26
- 3 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 67.9%
- Four-year graduation rate
- 90.5%
- Ohio building IRN
- 037705
- NCES school ID
- 390490003555
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Twin Valley South Middle School3 of 5 stars · West Alexandria
- Address
- 100 Education Dr, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- School district
- Twin Valley Community Local School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 108
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 5.47
- Report card, 2025-26
- 3 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 74.3%
- Ohio building IRN
- 019810
- NCES school ID
- 390490003172
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)
-
West Alexandria Branch LibraryBranch · West Alexandria
- Address
- 16 N. Main St., West Alexandria, OH 45381
- What it is
- Branch
- Library system
- Preble County District Library
- Open
- 1,456 hours a year, 52 weeks
- Building
- 1,935 sq ft
- System's visits, FY2024
- 198,224
- System's loans, FY2024
- 222,960
- People the system serves
- 38,015
- Phone
- (937) 533-4095
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.
Police stations (1)
-
West Alexandria Police DepartmentWest Alexandria
- Address
- 73 North Main Street, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- Coordinates
- 39.74805, -84.53201
USGS National Map structures (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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.
Facilities reporting toxic releases (2)
-
Ddp Specialty Electronic Materials Us 5, Llc (0868090072)Toxics Release Inventory · West Alexandria
- Address
- 10 S Electric St, West Alexandria, OH 45381
- County
- Preble County
- Status
- Reports to the Toxics Release Inventory (active)
- EPA program ID
- 45381WHTTK10ELE
- EPA registry ID
- 110000394494
EPA facility record ↗ EPA Facility Registry Service (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Lilly-Ram IndToxics Release Inventory · W Alexandria
- Address
- 119 E. Dayton St., W Alexandria, OH 45381
- County
- Preble County
- Status
- Reports to the Toxics Release Inventory (closed)
- EPA program ID
- 45381RMCHM119ED
- EPA registry ID
- 110002113711
EPA facility record ↗ EPA Facility Registry Service (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
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 (2)
-
Material Red2023-09-28 · West Alexandria
- Reported
- 2023-09-28
- What spilled
- Material Red
- Where
- West Alexandria, Preble County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2309EPA0001695
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)2023-05-08 · West Alexandria
- Reported
- 2023-05-08
- What spilled
- Fuel Diesel / Diesel Fuel (Vehicle On Or Off Road)
- Where
- West Alexandria, Preble County
- Ohio EPA district office
- SWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2305EPA0000745
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 West Alexandria, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45381 Lanier Township and West Alexandria | 25% | Mostly private wells | 8.1 pCi/L average radon | Parcel list only | Twin Valley Community Local · 3 stars overall | 5.4% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
Local government
Who holds office in West Alexandria, how its elections and ballot issues came out, and the state auditor's record.
Money issues on the ballot since 2020: 3 of 3 passed; of those asking for new or higher taxes, 1 of 1.
Ballot issues
| Date | Issue | For | Against | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-02 | Issue: West Alexandria Police 4 mills Add (4.0 mills, additional) | 161 | 106 | Passed (60.3% for), unofficial |
| 2020-11-03 | Issue 3: Village of West Alexandria COE 1.4 | 427 | 265 | Passed (61.71% for) |
| 2020-11-03 | Issue: Village of West Alexandria COEl.5 | 416 | 274 | Passed (60.29% for) |
Elections for office
| Date | Office | Candidates and votes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-11-02 | Member of Council (unofficial count) | Geoffrey Justice 171, 24.53%; Candace R. Moore 157, 22.53%; Holly A. Robbins 162, 23.24%; Dan Utsinger 207, 29.7% |
| 2021-11-02 | Mayor (unofficial count) | Jeff D. Hickey 201, 76.43%; Ray Waldeck 62, 23.57% |
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, 2023 to 2024, released 2026-05-12
The county
Preble County: 12 ZIP codes, 23 cities, villages and townships, 43,242 people.
Nearby places
Rain and snow
How much has actually fallen on West Alexandria, day by day, from 1893 to now. Daily totals, not averages.
- rain, last 30 days
- 0.96 in
- 2026-09-30 to 2026-10-29
- rain so far in 2026
- 48.4 in
- 11.2 in above normal for the date
- snow so far in 2026
- 17.3 in
- a normal year brings 17.4 in
- a normal year
- 43.9 in
- average of 30 years, 1991-2020
| Month | Rain (in) | Snow (in) | Days counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 0.96 | — | 29 |
| September 2026 | 5.37 | — | 30 |
| August 2026 | 11.38 | — | 31 |
| July 2026 | 3.23 | — | 31 |
| June 2026 | 4.76 | — | 30 |
| May 2026 | 8.08 | — | 31 |
| April 2026 | 3.77 | — | 30 |
| March 2026 | 6.76 | 1.0 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 2.11 | 3.0 | 28 |
| January 2026 | 1.93 | 13.3 | 31 |
| December 2025 | 2.07 | 8.4 | 31 |
| November 2025 | 2.22 | 2.0 | 30 |
| Wettest year | 2018 — 67.0 in |
|---|---|
| Driest year | 1934 — 24.1 in |
| Snowiest year | 1910 — 58.2 in |
| Wettest day on record | 5 October 1910 — 3.95 in |
| Heaviest snowfall in a day | 11 January 1895 — 10.00 in |
| Deepest snow on the ground | 8 January 1996 — 18.03 in |
Mostly estimated. Only 1% of these days come from a gauge standing inside West Alexandria - the rest are worked out from the nearest gauges around it, so read them as close estimates rather than readings.
48,509 days of records, 1893-06-01 to 2026-10-29. Source: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily, 3,240 gauges in and around Ohio. A day is "gauged" when a gauge standing inside the boundary reported it, and the value is the mean of those gauges. Otherwise it is interpolated by inverse distance from every gauge reporting within 50 miles. Nothing is carried forward, back-filled or smoothed. Against NOAA nClimDiv county monthly precipitation over 136,848 complete county-months (checked 2026-10-31): correlation 0.9515, median absolute difference 0.217 in a month. Built 2026-10-31 from the Cracked Buckeye precipitation archive. Snow is the softer number — snowfall is measured by hand with a ruler, no agency publishes a gridded county snowfall series, and blowing snow defeats every observer.
Environmental permits and filings
What Ohio EPA has on file for West Alexandria: permits, inspections, violations, cleanups and the state loans behind sewer and water work. Every line links to the agency's own document.
- facilities and sites on file
- 7
- those placed on the map inside West Alexandria
| Program | Facilities and sites |
|---|---|
| Hazardous waste | 3 |
| Air pollution | 2 |
| Contaminated-site cleanup | 1 |
| State sewer loans | 1 |
Source: Ohio EPA eDocument portal (edocpub.epa.ohio.gov), indexed 2026-10-14. Facilities are placed on the map from Ohio EPA's own map layers, EPA's Facility Registry, coordinates written in the filings, or a geocoded street address. A permit filed under a private person's name (most are household septic systems) is counted but never named, placed or linked; licenses for individual workers and open-burning notices are left out entirely.
Quick answers
What county is West Alexandria, Ohio in?
West Alexandria is a village in Preble County, Ohio, with 1,334 residents.
When was West Alexandria, Ohio founded?
West Alexandria was settled 1817 (William Alexander); laid out August 1818; incorporated March 14, 1836 (by act of the legislature). Founders on record: William Alexander (Lanier Township side) and Henry Keisling (Twin Township side). Source
How did West Alexandria, Ohio get its name?
The village was named for William Alexander, one of its founders. Source
What ZIP code is West Alexandria, Ohio?
Most of West Alexandria is in ZIP code 45381.
Where does West Alexandria, Ohio get its water?
The main water source for West Alexandria (West Alexandria, Village Of): Mostly private wells.
Cite this page
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "West Alexandria, Preble County", https://crackedbuckeye.com/place/west-alexandria/, built 2026-10-31, accessed [date].
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