Deersville

Before the white man, the Delaware and Wyandotte Indians populated this area. One of their main trails became known as the Moravian Trail, when Moravian missionaries Fredrick Post and John Heckewelder traveled to what are now Schoenbrunn, Gnadenhutten and Port Washington to establish settlements. Deersville, so named because of the abundance of deer, was laid out by John Cramblett in November of 1815. The Moravian Trail became one of the major stagecoach routes and Deersville grew and prospered. Hotels, taverns, stores, churches, a doctor and many other businesses made Deersville a main stop. The coming of the railroad, which bypassed Deersville, signaled the decline of the booming town. The population decreased over the years and Deersville became a small village.

Community Hall and Theater. Built in 1913 as a theater for stage productions and a gathering place for the community. Home of the Deersville Players, where major theatrical productions are presented each spring and fall.
Deersville General Store. This building has housed a general store since 1899, and is famous for homemade ice cream.
Deersville Library and Museum. Opened to the public and staffed by volunteers.
Patterson Union Cemetery. Has a Memorial Park section where crosses stand in honor of 16 young men from the area who gave their lives in the Civil War. It is also the final resting place of former resident Mary Jobe Akeley. Mary, an explorer and writer who studied the mountain gorilla in the Belgian Congo, was awarded the Cross-of the Knight, Order of the Crown by the King of Belgium for her work.
Tappan Lake Park. Over 550 campsites, swimming beach, daily activities and special events. (740) 922-3649.