What is the history of Yellow Springs, Ohio?

Notify me of new answers

ANSWERS: 1

The village was founded in 1825 by approximately 100 families, followers of Robert Owen, who wanted to emulate the utopian community at New Harmony, Indiana. The communitarian efforts dissolved due to internal conflicts. The Little Miami Railroad was completed in 1846 and brought increased commerce, inhabitants, and tourism. Yellow Springs was one of the final stops on the Underground Railroad and the village was known for its racial tolerance. Wheeling Gaunt, a former slave who purchased his own freedom, came to Yellow Springs in the 1860s and owned a substantial amount of land upon his death in 1894. Gaunt bequeathed to the village a large piece of land on the Western side of the village, requesting that the rent be used to buy flour for the "poor and worthy widows" of Yellow Springs. Although the land was used to create Gaunt Park, and thus does not generate rent, the village expanded the request to include sugar and still delivers flour and sugar to the village's widows at Christmastime, a tradition that generates annual media coverage.
The village was founded in 1825 by approximately 100 families, followers of Robert Owen, who wanted to emulate the utopian community at New Harmony, Indiana. The communitarian efforts dissolved due to internal conflicts. The Little Miami Railroad was completed in 1846 and brought increased commerce, inhabitants, and tourism. Yellow Springs was one of the final stops on the Underground Railroad and the village was known for its racial tolerance. Wheeling Gaunt, a former slave who purchased his own freedom, came to Yellow Springs in the 1860s and owned a substantial amount of land upon his death in 1894. Gaunt bequeathed to the village a large piece of land on the Western side of the village, requesting that the rent be used to buy flour for the "poor and worthy widows" of Yellow Springs. Although the land was used to create Gaunt Park, and thus does not generate rent, the village expanded the request to include sugar and still delivers flour and sugar to the village's widows at Christmastime, a tradition that generates annual media coverage.<ref name Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Springs%2C_Ohio

No comments
| Permalink | Share | 22

0
No comments

ABOUT ANSWERBAG

Answerbag wants to provide a service to people looking for answers and a good conversation. Ask away and we will do our best to answer or find someone who can.We try to vet our answers to get you the most acurate answers.

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

RELATED QUESTIONS

RELATED TOPICS

ABOUT ANSWERBAG