From schools to trails, the name Simon Kenton holds a prevalent place in our community and area. As one of our areas first settlers, Simon Kenton is part of our storied past, who has quite a history himself. Born April 3rd, 1755 in Virginia, Simon Kenton left at the age of 16 under some unsavory conditions.

​Thinking he had killed a rival, Simon Kenton fled into the wilderness, taking the last name Butler until many years later when he learned the gentleman, in fact, was not dead. Simon Kenton learned to survive in the wilderness, becoming friends with other frontiersmen including Daniel Boone. He is actually credited for saving Danile Boone’s life at one point.

Simon Kenton was captured by American Indians on more than one occasion and was tortured as a result. He survived being tortured by the Shawnee Indians which earned respect and ultimately adoption by the tribe. While he was a prisoner, Simon Kenton first laid eyes on our area. He vowed to return to the area if he survived, which he did. 

He served as a scout during the American Revolutionary War and fought in many conflicts. In April 1799, Simon Kenton and William Ward led a group back to the area he fell in love with, settling in an area between Springfield and Urbana. In 1810, Simon Kenton moved to Urbana and became a Brigadier General for the State Militia. Simon Kenton died in 1836 and was eventually buried in Oakdale Cemetary in Urbana. I’m sure those of us who grew up in the area would agree with Simon Kenton, that there is nowhere better to live than here.

It’s harvest time around the area. For those of us who have grown up in this community, seeing combines on the road this time of year is a normal occurrence. Another common occurrence in many households is participating in 4-H.  What some may not know, is the 4-H program was started by a man born here in Champaign County.

​Born in 1868, A.B. Graham was raised in a small rural farm until it was destroyed by fire. The family moved right over the county line to Lena, Ohio where Graham graduated before receiving his teaching certificate.  Graham began his teaching career in 1868 back in Champaign County, with a particular enthusiasm for teaching young people about agriculture. On January 1902 Graham held the first meeting of the boys and girls club in Springfield. These meetings were the precursor to what is now the 4-H program. In 1905, Graham became the first superintendent of agriculture extension at the Ohio State University. His work with the agriculture extension in Ohio and beyond were instrumental in helping to make the 4-H club nationally recognized.  Today the 4-H club has over 6 million members.  Thanks to A.B Graham, students have an opportunity to learn about not only agriculture but also a variety of other valuable skills. We are thankful for the lasting legacy A.B Graham has left on our entire community. 

Do you remember as a kid, dressing up in a costume, ringing neighborhood doorbells and saying “Trick or Treat”? Thought to begin in the 1920, trick or treating gained in popularity by the 1950’s. With the help of television and comics, dressing up and roaming the neighborhood became a yearly tradition for Halloween. Each region of the country has different spin on this tradition. In recent years, trunk or treat has become a popular alternative for many families. Even the term “trick or treat” has been changed for many to Beggars' Night. In Champaign County, the dates and times may vary, so make sure to check with your local community to find out when your beggars’ night is. 

Do you believe in ghost stories? Just about every town has a story of a places thought to be haunted. Champaign County is no different. There are a few legends that have become more popular over the years. Almost every town has a “cry baby bridge”. A bridge where a baby was tragically killed, usually in a car accident, and you can hear the cries of the baby at night. In Cable, there is a such a bridge where you can hear the cries of the baby and her mother if you cross the bridge at midnight. In the Evergreen Cemetery, located in St. Paris, there is a tombstone that mysteriously glows at night. The Champaign Economic Partnership(CEP) has even been told that a ghost haunts the hallways of 40 Monument Square, though it's yet to be seen. 

Probably one of the most notable ghost stories is the one of our late President, Abraham Lincoln. It is said every April, the Lincoln funeral train takes a ghostly ride and can be seen on the train tracks in Urbana where the original train stopped. So, this Halloween keep your eye out for those ghosts roaming around, calling Champaign County home.