Our History
Pleasant Hill has been shaped by the people who built lives here. The milestones below mark just a few of the moments that define our community.
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1801
The First Settler Arrives
Michael Williams becomes the first recorded settler in what will become Newton Township, purchasing land on August 7, 1801.
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1810
Newton Township Is Born
Newton Township is officially organized on March 6, 1810, and named in honor of Sir Isaac Newton. It becomes the second largest of Miami County's twelve townships.
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1814
The Pioneer Church Is Built
The Society of Friends builds the Union Church, the first church in the township. It is a simple log structure that serves the community for 40 years.
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1820
First Doctor and First Mill
Dr. David Patty becomes the area's first practicing physician, serving for 20 years. Jesse Emery builds a grist mill on the Stillwater River.
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1825
First Quarry Opens
Abram Deeter opens the first limestone quarry in the township, launching what becomes one of Newton's biggest industries for the rest of the century.
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1843
The Village of Newton Is Platted
Three local men buy land along the Stillwater River and lay out the original town. The first house doubles as Samuel Coate's store and home.
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1847
Marshalltown Is Founded
A community of freed Randolph slaves buys land from John and Sarah Marshall and settles in northern Newton Township. The community lasts more than 100 years.
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1864
Twelve Sons of Newton Lost in the Civil War
Twelve Newton Township men give their lives in the Civil War. Their sacrifice will be honored at the center of the village 31 years later.
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1866
The Village Is Incorporated
The village officially incorporates and changes its name from Newton to Pleasant Hill. John Whitmer Sr. is sworn in as the first postmaster of the new village.
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1875
A New School Opens
Residents vote in January to build a larger school with 6 rooms and a third-floor hall that seats 300. Horatio Pearson serves as the first superintendent.
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1895
Civil War Monument Dedicated
On October 31, 1895, the village dedicates a monument honoring 12 fallen Civil War soldiers. Delilah Reiber, mother of three soldiers killed in the war, unveils it to a large crowd.
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1902
The Traction Line Comes to Town
The Dayton, Covington and Piqua electric traction line runs straight through Pleasant Hill, connecting residents to bigger cities to the north and south. It serves the village for 24 years.
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1908
Jesse Beery's Horsemanship School Goes Worldwide
Local horse trainer Jesse Beery starts a correspondence school in horsemanship. His program ships around the world, even reaching Mussolini's office in Italy.
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1921
Klopfer's Market Opens
Louie Klopfer buys Schuesslin's Meat Market on Main Street and starts what becomes a beloved family grocery store for the next 56 years.
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1923
Newton School Consolidates the Township
A new school opens in the fall of 1923, bringing together all of Newton Township's one-room schoolhouses under one roof. It is the largest consolidated school in Miami County.
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1938
A Newton Grad Invents Teflon
Newton High School graduate Roy Plunkett discovers Teflon at DuPont on April 6, 1938. He is later inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
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1957
Oakes-Beitman Library Opens
Ella Wampler leaves her home and farmland to the village so a free library can be built. The Oakes-Beitman Memorial Library opens in 1957 and still serves Pleasant Hill today.
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1977
The End of a Family Business Era
After 56 years on Main Street, the Klopfer family sells the grocery store to Clarence Cross. The Klopfer name stays on the storefront until 1982.
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2010
A New Newton School Opens
The 1922 school building is torn down after 88 years. A brand new Newton School opens its doors on the same site that fall.
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2020
A Piece of Local History Comes Home
The James Greenler Family donates a Jesse Beery Runabout to the Pleasant Hill History Center, returning a piece of the town's most famous horseman to the community.
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