Oreton, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Oreton is a ghost town
in eastern Vinton Township
, Vinton County
, Ohio
, United States
, located along State Route 160
. Oreton was a small mining community. Today, all that remains are the crumbled ruins of the iron furnace, a few concrete foundations, and the brick safe of Dave Ebert's company store.
A number of coal and iron ore mines were in the area. There was also an iron furnace that operated in the last half of the 1800s. Superintendent of the Eagle's Furnace was Samuel T. Benner, a Civil War
veteran of Company L, 12th Ohio Cavalry
.
Although Oreton was a town for over 100 years, the town never had a cemetery. Burials took place in nearby towns, several miles away.
Oreton was originally known as Aleshire, according to postal records.
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
in eastern Vinton Township
Vinton Township, Vinton County, Ohio
Vinton Township is one of the twelve townships of Vinton County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 558 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southern part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Madison Township: north...
, Vinton County
Vinton County, Ohio
Vinton County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,435. , the least populous in the state. Its county seat is McArthur. The county is named for Samuel Finley Vinton, a 19th-century United States Congressman from...
, 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...
, located along State Route 160
Ohio State Route 160
State Route 160 is a north–south state highway in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. Its southern terminus is at State Route 7 in Gallipolis, and the route heads north. It meets U.S. Route 35 at an interchange with various collector and distributor ramps. From there, the...
. Oreton was a small mining community. Today, all that remains are the crumbled ruins of the iron furnace, a few concrete foundations, and the brick safe of Dave Ebert's company store.
History
Oreton was a New York Coal Company mining town. The town had a post office from 1880 to 1950, as well as a church (Azariah McManis was the caretaker), and as many as 70 houses for the miners and families, most of them built by a Bert Harder. There are recorded births as early as 1853.A number of coal and iron ore mines were in the area. There was also an iron furnace that operated in the last half of the 1800s. Superintendent of the Eagle's Furnace was Samuel T. Benner, a Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
veteran of Company L, 12th Ohio Cavalry
12th Ohio Cavalry
The 12th Ohio Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 12th Ohio Cavalry was organized at Camp Taylor in Cleveland, Ohio and mustered in November 24, 1863 for a three years under the command of Colonel Robert W...
.
Although Oreton was a town for over 100 years, the town never had a cemetery. Burials took place in nearby towns, several miles away.
Oreton was originally known as Aleshire, according to postal records.