Historical Society of Perry County

Thornville and Thorn Township Historical Society of Perry County

Thorn Township is a farming community about 30 minutes east of Columbus, Ohio; its name derived from the plentiful thorn bushes that dominate the landscape. After the Revolutionary War, people from Virginia and Pennsylvania began to migrate to Ohio. Among those, several chose a little hill in Thorn Township to take up residence, establishing churches, businesses, and schools. In 1811, Thornville was recognized as a village. Thorn Township makes up the northern section of Perry County. Due to its rich, flat earth, farming remains the chief economic venture of the community. Originally, the northern edge of Thorn Township was known as "Big Buffalo Swamp." However, when the Ohio Canal was constructed between the 1820s and 1840s, the swamp was excavated to form Buckeye Lake. Since then, people have built their homes along the shores and canals of the lake, as well as in the villages of Thornville and Thornport.