Local History
Compiled from "A Sense of Place" by Centerville-Washington History
Revolutionary War veterans and brothers-in-law Aaron Nutt, Benjamin Robbins, and Benjamin Archer first surveyed Washington Township in 1796. Back then, thick forests covered the land with oak, hickory, beech, ash, elm, walnut, dogwood, and poplar trees. Black bears, deer, elk, and wolves roamed freely, and pioneers sometimes saw groups of Native Americans passing through. Early settlers described the land as fertile, with clean springs and streams that gave everyone plenty of fresh water.
In the early 1800s, another Revolutionary War veteran, Dr. John Hole, moved to the area and built the first two sawmills. He became the first doctor in Montgomery County, traveling as far as Springfield, Xenia, and Hamilton to treat patients. Dr. Hole had fought in the battles of Bunker Hill, Quebec, and Montmorency, and he was there when General Richard Montgomery died from his wounds. Many believe Dr. Hole suggested naming Montgomery County after the general.
Washington Township stayed a quiet, rural community until the mid-1900s. Since then, it has grown to more than 37,000 people in the unincorporated area, plus another 24,000 in the City of Centerville. In 2026, we celebrate the Township's 230th anniversary and our continued growth.