ROSS TOWNSHIP/GREENEVIEW NORTH

Between the years of 1815-1915, Ross Twp. was divided into eight school districts - Oak Grove, Sugar Grove, Bethel, Oakland, Shiloh, Grape Grove, Hickory Grove and Belle Center each with a one room schoolhouse in the district. Six are still standing.

In 1915, school board members Pres. George W. Glass, V. Pres. Frank C. Lackey, Arthur Cummings, Daniel Struble, James A. Watkins, and Clerk Frank P. Ritenour saw the need for a centralized location. During their Feb. 5 meeting a decision was made to purchase land and erect a building for the sum total of $35,000. which would be raised by issuing township bonds.

Citizen approval was sought through a special election to be held Feb. 23, 1915. Constable William Klontz was authorized to post notices of the special election and on Feb. 12 reported he had posted the following notices: Grape Grove Grocery, Watkins Corner - on a tree, Hickory Grove - on a tree, Oak Grove - on a fence, the Township House door, Shiloh - on a fence, Harts Grocery, Sullivans Grocery, and Oakland - on the coalhouse. Centralization was approved 105-63 and issuing of bonds approved 104-66.

The Cincinnati architect firm of Weber, Werner and Adkins designed a building that was enhanced by the lovely grove setting on the land acquired from Mrs. Thirza Townsley of Jamestown. John A. Jewell and Son Co. also of Cincinnati was the general contractor. Local sub-contractors were C. W. Moorman for carpenter work and Adams-Thuma for mill work.

The cornerstone was laid on Sept. 7, 1915 by the Grand Lodge of F&A Masons with Rev. G. S. Macaulay, Xenia Presbyterian pastor and Acting Grand Orator of the Masons as the featured speaker. First classes were held Oct. 2, 1916 with 156 grade school, 26 high school pupils, 4 grade school teachers and 3 high school teachers. 8 horse drawn buses provided transportation and there was a stable on the grounds for those who rode their own horses to school.

In 1954 Ross and Silvercreek Twps. consolidated and the building was renamed Greeneview North. In 1959 Jefferson Twp. joined the consolidation.