Frenchtown, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Frenchtown is an unincorporated community
in Wayne Township
, Darke County
, Ohio
, United States
. The community lies at the intersection of State Route 185
with Burns and Mangen Roads, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the village of Versailles
. Its elevation is 1,027 feet (313 m).
The community was settled in the early nineteenth century primarily by people of French descent
, including many Alsatians
and Lorrainers
. These settlers long retained their French roots: into the late nineteenth century, the community was heavily Roman Catholic, and their public inscriptions were made in the French language
. Although stores and a school were founded in Frenchtown soon after settlement, no post office
was ever established there; residents' mail went to the Versailles post office. Since the nineteenth century, the community has shrunk considerably; little now remains of Frenchtown except houses and a church complex. This church, Holy Family Catholic Church
, is a community landmark: built in the 1860s, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Wayne Township
Wayne Township, Darke County, Ohio
Wayne Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 4,349 people in the township, 1,760 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
, Darke County
Darke County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families residing in the county. The population density was 89 people per square mile . There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The community lies at the intersection of State Route 185
Ohio State Route 185
State Route 185 is a long east–west state highway in the western part of the U.S. state of Ohio. The western terminus of SR 185 is at U.S. Route 127 approximately south of North Star. Its eastern terminus is in Piqua...
with Burns and Mangen Roads, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the village of Versailles
Versailles, Ohio
Versailles is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. It is the only village in Wayne Township. The population was 2,589 at the 2000 census. The proper local pronunciation of the name is "Ver Sales", with the accent on the second syllable.-History:...
. Its elevation is 1,027 feet (313 m).
The community was settled in the early nineteenth century primarily by people of French descent
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, including many Alsatians
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
and Lorrainers
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
. These settlers long retained their French roots: into the late nineteenth century, the community was heavily Roman Catholic, and their public inscriptions were made in the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. Although stores and a school were founded in Frenchtown soon after settlement, no post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was ever established there; residents' mail went to the Versailles post office. Since the nineteenth century, the community has shrunk considerably; little now remains of Frenchtown except houses and a church complex. This church, Holy Family Catholic Church
Holy Family Catholic Church (Frenchtown, Ohio)
Holy Family Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Wayne Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States. Located in the unincorporated community of Frenchtown, it houses an active congregation, and it has been accorded historic site status because of its well-preserved Gothic Revival...
, is a community landmark: built in the 1860s, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.