History of Champaign CountyChampaign County derives its name from the character of its surface, a French word meaning level or flat. Half its area being level or slightly undulating, one quarter rolling, twenty percent hilly and five percent prairie flat.
Champaign County is made up of 432 square miles rich in many ways, its people, soil, history and tradition. It is wealthy in heritage, culture and beauty. Champaign Countians can be proud of their agriculture production, schools, industry, churches, human and public services. Champaign County became the 18th, of 88 Ohio counties on March 1, 1805. It was carved from Greene and Franklin counties by Legislative action. It stretched north to Lake Erie from the Greene County Line with it seat being in Springfield. It was March 1, 1817 when Champaign County took on its present boundaries when both Logan and Clark counties were formed. An attempted population count in 1800 showed 100 pioneer settlers. This area was considered Shawnee country, though the Miami, Ottawa, Mingo, Delaware and Seneca Indians often passed through this area. Historians say the North American Indians developed from the mound builders. These mounds people were the first to inhabit this area. Mounds in Champaign county have been found on Pretty Prairie close to Mechanicsburg and 8 miles southeast of Urbana between the north and east fork of Buck Creek. Between 1600 and 1750 this area was the hunting grounds for parties from the Northern and Southern tribes. The Northern Tribes were victorious in taking possession of the land south to the Ohio River. However no permanent Indian settlements were established. It was at this time that Daniel Boone and Simon Butler Kenton came into this region exploring and setting up settlements. Simon Kenton is now buried in Urbana's Oakdale Cemetery. Champaign County sent 3,235 men to fight for the Union in the Civil War, including 578 men lost. It is to these men that the statue that stands today in Urbana's town square is dedicated. The statue, referred to as, The Man on the Monument, is a bronze cavalryman, facing the north with head bowed for his fallen comrades. Our county’s history is chronicled at the Champaign County Historical Museum located on East Lawn Avenue in Urbana. More information about the museum, including directions to the facility and hours of operation, can be found on the museum website. You can also search their online archives for genealogical records or historical photos.
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Fast FactsEstablished in 1805 30 miles from Columbus or Dayton; 10 miles from Springfield Serviced by U.S. Routes 68 & 36; within 15 miles of Interstates 70 & 75 Blend of service, retail, manufacturing & agricultural businesses Miles of bike trails, hiking trails, rivers & wooded area wind through the county Population: 39,800, 432 square miles Quaint shopping, dining & art/antique shops Home to Warren Grimes, "Father of Aviation Lighting" Well-known Champaign Countians include: William Saxbe, Clancy Brown, Johnny Appleseed & A.B. Graham Airport: Grimes Field Home to Urbana University Popular Destinations: Mad River, Simon Kenton recreational trails, Cedar Bog, Ohio Caverns, Johnny Appleseed Museum, Champaign County Fairgrounds, Kiser Lake State Park |
Urbana's Aviation Heritage - Warren G. Grimes
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Born a few miles from where the Wright brothers pioneered flight in Ohio, Warren G. Grimes made aviation history of his own here in Urbana. Known as the father of aviation lighting, he invented the familiar red, green and white airplane navigation, or position, lights and developed lights for the first illuminated aircraft, the Ford Tri-motor.
From there, he started his own aviation lighting company in a rented garage in Urbana. By 1942, Grimes Manufacturing employed more than 1,300 and was the only U.S. manufacturer dedicated solely to aircraft lighting. |
All U.S. combat aircraft and many Allied planes bore Grimes lights in World War II. After the war, Grimes also served the commercial and general aviation markets – as well as the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space shuttle missions.
Today, Grimes continues operation in Urbana as a division of Honeywell Aerospace. And you’ll find other signs here of Mr. Grimes’ contributions to aviation and our community.
WARREN GRIMES’ CONTINUING LEGACY
Urbana’s local airport, Grimes Field, bears more than his name. He bought the land and built a hangar and office building for the airfield
before gifting it to the city in 1943. That made Urbana one of the first small Ohio towns to boast its own airport.
Grimes Manufacturing used the airport to test products. But Urbana has reaped great dividends from the facility by way of economic development and the capacity to host many community and aviation events – like a flyby 20 B-25s to celebrate the historic Doolittle Raid of World War II.
Grimes Field is home to two museums. The Grimes Flying Lab Museum spotlights Grimes, his company and the restored Grimes Flying Lab, a Beech 18 used to test Grimes’ innovations. The Champaign Aviation Museum features World War II-era aircraft and memorabilia, and showcases the ongoing restoration of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, The Champaign Lady.
Urbana’s Mercy Health Urbana Hospital was built in 1951 with community support, spearheaded by Warren Grimes.
In November 2004, Congress recognized the Dayton region as the National Aviation Heritage Area, in honor of the region's leadership in our nation's aviation history. The Grimes Flying Lab Foundation, located in Urbana, Ohio, was selected as one of the 10 historical sites included in the region.
Located at Grimes Field, the flying lab foundation is dedicated to restoring the Flying Lab test vehicle and preserving the legacy of Warren G. Grimes, the father of aircraft lighting. The Grimes Flying Lab was literally an airborne laboratory - a means for testing new development in aircraft lighting in all types of conditions. Grimes produced his first airplane light in his garage in 1933. By World War II, Grimes Manufacturing Company had grown to produce lighting for the needs of military aviation. Today, Grimes continues to design, develop and manufacture lighting systems for aviation, aerospace and transportation industries.
Learn more about the historical items at the Champaign Aviation Museum. To schedule a tour of the Flying Lab, contact the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce at (937) 653-5764.
Today, Grimes continues operation in Urbana as a division of Honeywell Aerospace. And you’ll find other signs here of Mr. Grimes’ contributions to aviation and our community.
WARREN GRIMES’ CONTINUING LEGACY
Urbana’s local airport, Grimes Field, bears more than his name. He bought the land and built a hangar and office building for the airfield
before gifting it to the city in 1943. That made Urbana one of the first small Ohio towns to boast its own airport.
Grimes Manufacturing used the airport to test products. But Urbana has reaped great dividends from the facility by way of economic development and the capacity to host many community and aviation events – like a flyby 20 B-25s to celebrate the historic Doolittle Raid of World War II.
Grimes Field is home to two museums. The Grimes Flying Lab Museum spotlights Grimes, his company and the restored Grimes Flying Lab, a Beech 18 used to test Grimes’ innovations. The Champaign Aviation Museum features World War II-era aircraft and memorabilia, and showcases the ongoing restoration of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, The Champaign Lady.
Urbana’s Mercy Health Urbana Hospital was built in 1951 with community support, spearheaded by Warren Grimes.
In November 2004, Congress recognized the Dayton region as the National Aviation Heritage Area, in honor of the region's leadership in our nation's aviation history. The Grimes Flying Lab Foundation, located in Urbana, Ohio, was selected as one of the 10 historical sites included in the region.
Located at Grimes Field, the flying lab foundation is dedicated to restoring the Flying Lab test vehicle and preserving the legacy of Warren G. Grimes, the father of aircraft lighting. The Grimes Flying Lab was literally an airborne laboratory - a means for testing new development in aircraft lighting in all types of conditions. Grimes produced his first airplane light in his garage in 1933. By World War II, Grimes Manufacturing Company had grown to produce lighting for the needs of military aviation. Today, Grimes continues to design, develop and manufacture lighting systems for aviation, aerospace and transportation industries.
Learn more about the historical items at the Champaign Aviation Museum. To schedule a tour of the Flying Lab, contact the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce at (937) 653-5764.
