The Franklin Kennel Club held greyhound races in Grove City until 1928. After the track ceased to operate, races continued at Beulah Park which was illegal at the time. Those races were not announced to the public and race fans learned the schedule by word of mouth. Union Kennel Club was next to attempt to revive greyhound racing at the old North Broadway track – where OLPH is today – but after a short run the track shut down in 1934 when track owners learned the county sheriff was planning a raid on the property.

Religious camp-meetings were once common in Franklin Township on the grounds of a union church later identified as the Union Methodist Episcopal Church built in 1822 and rebuilt in 1845. Adam G. Grant of Grove City recalled one Sunday morning during a camp meeting nine Indians, bedecked with their feathers and war paint, walked up to the front of the church and seated themselves. Their presence naturally caused a commotion but the service continued uninterrupted. The camp grounds were located in a grove of trees which surrounded the little church. Small huts housed those attending the camp-meetings which would often last three to four weeks.

When Pleasant Township was organized in 1807, it was five times larger than it is today. Pictured is one of the early log homes in the area. The first permanent settlers arrived around 1803 settling near Big Darby Creek in an area known today as Georgesville. A portion of Pleasant Township was transferred to the newly created Jackson Township in 1815, the same year the Pleasant Post Office opened. The following year, the settlement of Georgesville was laid out and by 1818, the Pleasant Post Office changed names becoming the Georgesville Post Office. Among the earliest settlers were the families of Thomas Roberts, John Bigger, James Gardiner, Samuel Dyer, Samuel Kerr and John Turner. In 1805, Samuel Dyer erected a mill, which eventually passed to William Dyer, and was for half a century the only flouring-mill in the township.

Grove City now has around 70 police officers but there was a time when only one marshal protected the town. There’s conflicting information who that marshal was. Most record state it was Gabriel Postle Sr., who was hired in May 1866 by the newly elected and first mayor, Dr. Joseph Bullen. But other accounts claim Randolph Higgy was the first marshal and another suggest Joseph Pence was the first hire. Guess we’ll never know for sure but history is always interesting and challenging. One fact we do know is that Elbert L. (Lightning) Evans was the first Grove City chief of police assuming those duties in 1954; he previously was a village marshal. Ever wonder where the nickname “Lightning” originated?

Utility pole banners have graced Grove City streets for 20 years. The first banners and mounting brackets were purchased by the Grove City Visitors and Convention Bureau and installed by city crews. Banners first appeared in 2006 at Exit 100 along Stringtown Road in an effort to welcome visitors; wording promoted visits, shopping and lodging supporting the important contribution hotels make to the local economy. The City of Grove City has since taken over and expanded the project to include other primary entrances to the city, Broadway at I-270 and I-71 at London-Groveport Road. The newest banner promotes Grove City’s celebration of America250.