Chester, Ohio

For other places in Ohio named Chester, see Chester Township, Ohio.

Chester is an unincorporated community in central Chester Township, Meigs County, Ohio, United States. It lies along the Shade River at the intersection of State Routes 7 and 248.^[1] Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45720.^[2]

History

Chester is one the oldest communities in Meigs County, having its beginnings around 1800. Shade River allowed for feed and saw mills to be constructed, while the Shade River Valley provided relatively fertile cropland.

Chester served as the first county seat for Meigs County, but was later replaced by the growing Ohio River village of Pomeroy. On a hill overlooking the town square or commons, is the oldest standing courthouse in the state of Ohio. Tours can be arranged through the Meigs County Historical Society.

Noted American author Ambrose Bierce was born just downstream of Chester in the Shade River valley.

Education

Public education in the community of Chester is provided by the Eastern Local School District. Campuses serving the community include Eastern Elementary School (Grades K-8) and Eastern High School [1] (Grades 9-12).

References

1. ^ Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1991. pp. p. 80. ISBN 0-89933-233-1. 
2. ^ Zip Code Lookup

Coordinates: 39°05′15″N 81°55′21″W / 39.0875°N 81.9225°W / 39.0875; -81.9225