Historic Downtown Greenville

(937) 548-4998

www.DowntownGreenville.org

Historic Downtown Greenville is a distinctive shopping district nestled in the heart of a scenic rural community. Shoppers enjoy friendly store-keepers (some five generations old), hand-made crafts, and county charm mixed with unexpectedly urban and sophisticated finds. A visit to Historic Downtown Greenville is like coming home.

Historic Downtown Greenville boasts 85 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The landscaped streets contain one of the largest rows of early 19th century commercial buildings still in use today, along with outstanding examples of High Victorian, Italianate and Gothic Victorian Architecture. Viewed from the comfortable street benches, the beloved buildings form a continuous, four block long corridor of historic buildings.

Our quality shopping district began in 1880 when farming wealth from corn, wheat and tobacco fueled banking and merchandising in our quaint town. Through the years, Downtown Greenville has remained economically sound even in relatively bleak times, like the Great Depression.

In 1935, Greenville had the largest retail volume of any town or city its size in Ohio and surpassed some larger cities such as Troy and Sidney . Today, Historic Downtown Greenville still enjoys a glorious atmosphere of quality, one-of-a-kind retail and dining experiences.

Anthony Wayne Peace Council House
937-548-0165

www.DarkeCountyParks.org
Information and tours for the Council House can be obtained through the Darke County Park District at (937) 548-0165.
Dedicated on August 3, 1997, the council house honors the 13 Native American tribes who signed the Treaty of Greene Ville.

Built in 1849 by Gabriel Baer, Bear's Mill is one of the few operating water-powered mills in Ohio today. The site of the present mill, as well as the water rights were granted to Major George Adams through a Presidential Deed by President James Monroe in 1824. Not only is the Mill significant but the land and water around it is important, too. Huge trees line the banks of the Greenville Creek and the mill race including red, white, and burr oak, black walnut, ash, willows, cedar, birch, cherry, tulip poplar, and white-barked sycamore. The forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers in the spring and summer. Wild plants, wild grapes, ginger, and raspberries are all around. The flowing waters attract all types of animals including the white-tailed deer, fox, beavers, squirrels, reptiles, fish, birds including the Great Blue Heron, King Fisher, chickadees, owls, woodpeckers, cardinals, robins, blue jays, and sparrows.

Because of the abundance of wildlife and the uniqueness of its ecosystem, the Mill property is considered a wildlife sanctuary. The Mill itself has a backdrop of mowed lawns and tree covered knolls bordering both sides of Greenville Creek, which meanders freely through the property.

The water from the creek still provides power that turns the underwater turbines which power all of the milling machinery. A large and small dam creates a two mile lake area from which water is channeled to the mill race. A pair of water gates enables the stream water to be diverted into the race to impel the turbines. A second outlet gate (located under the mill) enables the race to be drained when it is necessary to perform maintenance work on the turbines.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, Bear's Mill is still in use today to grind cornmeal, whole wheat flour, rye flour, and pancake mixes. The mill and the buhr stones are powered by water.

Visitors are encouraged to tour the mill and the area surrounding it, as well as the distinctive gift shop. The Friends of Bear's Mill offer a line of gift boxes and custom baskets, as well as mill flours and other gourmet sundries and giftware. A special feature at the mill is the handmade pottery by the Bear's Mill potters.

There is no charge for self-guided tours. Groups are always welcome. Mill Hours: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday - Sunday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday. For more information, contact Bear's Mill at 937-548-5112 or bearsmill@woh.rr.com . Log onto their website at www.BearsMill.com . Located East of Greenville on U.S. Route 36, then a half-mile south of U.S. Route 36 on Arcanum- Bear's Mill Rd.

Fort Greene Ville
For more information, contact the Garst Museum at 937-548-5250
Email: garstmus@bright.net

www.GarstMuseum.org
Anthony Wayne constructed the second official settlement in Darke County, Greene Ville, in 1793 along Greenville Creek. This military headquarters was the largest log fortified structure ever built, encompassing 55+ acres of land enclosed by wooden stockades and blockhouses. The fort stood for six years and was partially rebuilt during the War of 1812. There are three markers within the area that the fort encompassed to view. One is an historic marker located on the public square; another is The Treaty Stone also located on the public square in downtown Greenville to denote the signing of the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 and the third is a monument located on the corner of West Main and Elm which denotes the located where the Treaty was signed. Recently, local archeologist Tony DeRegnaucourt, uncovered many artifacts from Wayne and his troops from two sites in modern Greenville.

Fort Jefferson
For more information, contact the Darke County Park District at (937) 548-0165, info@darkecountyparks.org or www.DarkeCountyParks.org .

KitchenAid Experience
423 S. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331
937-316-4777 or 888-886-8318
www.kitchenaid.com/experience
Store hours are 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sundays.
Come to Darke County and experience an interactive shopping adventure! Be the first to assemble your very own KitchenAid stand mixer! In addition, learn how to use the full-line of KitchenAid products and purchase refurbished products at discount prices.

Shawnee Prairie Preserve & Nature Center
Shawnee Prairie Preserve was once known as Prophetstown, the village founded by The Prophet (Tecumseh's brother), formed to rally fifteen woodland Indian Nations to gather and demonstrate their living and hunting rights under the 1795 Treaty of Greene Ville.

Not only rich in historical diversity, this 120-acre area is also rich in natural diversity.  Shawnee features wetlands, restored prairies, streams, wet woods, swamp forest, a succession area and 2 1/2 miles of trails with benches and observation towers.

Located on St. Rt. 502 west of Greenville, Shawnee Prairie Preserve is also home to the Darke County Nature Center.  This center features a nature library, exhibits, science laboratory, classroom, gift shop, large assembly room, and the park's administration office.

Many naturalist-lead programs are available throughout the year for a small fee.  For more information, call 937-548-0165 or send an email to info@darkecountyparks.org or log onto www.DarkeCountyParks.org.  Office hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Saturday; 1:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday.  Park hours: Sunrise to sunset

Prairie Ridge Meadow & Tecumseh Point Walkway
Located adjacent to the Greenville City Park,  Prairie Ridge Meadow is known throughout the region as an excellent example of a restored prairie.  Examples of the blooming plants reintroduced to the hillside include blazing star, evening primrose, tall sunflower, yellow coneflower, purple coneflower, compass plant, obedient flower, butterfly weed, big bluestem, and little bluestem grasses.

Running through Prairie Ridge is the abandoned Dayton, Greenville, and Union City Railway.  The railway trestle which crossed the Greenville Creek was removed and a foot-bridge built in its place.

A trail now runs across the trestle and along the creek and is commonly used for nature walks and leads to Tecumseh Point, the area in which Mud Creek and Greenville Creek meet.  This parcel of land was once primitive forest and the home to the Chippewa, Delaware, Kickapoo, Miami, Potawatomi, and Shawnee.  One famous Shawnee was Chief Tecumseh, who protested the Treaty of Greene Ville by burning symbolic fires on the Point from 1805 to 1809. 

Many naturalist-lead programs are available throughout the year for a small fee.  For more information, call 937-548-0165 or send an email to info@darkecountyparks.org or log onto www.DarkeCountyParks.org.  Office hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Saturday; 1:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday  Park hours: Sunrise to sunset

The Greenville City Parks and Recreation Department

Tracey Martin, Director

100 Public Square, Room 240, Greenville, OH 45331
937-548-1314
www.CityofGreenville.org/Departments/Park&Rec/
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 until 4:30 p.m.

The city office offers many recreational activities for adults as well as children and young adults. For adults, the activities are Volleyball (Recreational and Power), Basketball, Tennis Tournaments, Tennis Lessons, Shuffleboard Tournaments and Soccer. The following activities are offered to those 18 and over: High & Low Impact Aerobics, Step Aerobics, Kick-Boxing, Tai-Chi and Yoga for a small fee.

Youth activities include: Spring and Fall Soccer held at North Park, Girls Basketball (4th, 5th & 6th grade), Wrestling (5-13 yrs.), Swim Lessons and Youth Volleyball (instructional and high school leagues).

Greenville City Park
Greenville's 76-acre public park offers space to relax and reflect, as well as numerous activities for all members of the family.  This park is a popular place to enjoy the peace and beauty of the seasons, partake in an afternoon picnic, walk the family pet, kick off your shoes and wade in the creek, swing the kids on the Swinging Bridge, fly a kite on Memorial Hill, watch the peacocks, ducks and swans, fish in one of the seven ponds, slide down the 150-foot water slide at the swimming pool (small fee applies), play baseball or softball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, or tennis, or take a leisurely stroll around the athletic field complete with a six lane all-weather track.  Reserve a covered shelter house and bring the entire family for lunch (small fee applies).  A large, well-equipped playground area is located in the center of the park for children of all ages to enjoy.  While you are there, learn the history of the Treaty of Green Ville by visiting the Altar of Peace, Anthony Wayne Peace Council House, Garst Museum (small fee applies) and Tecumseh Point.  All are within or very close to the City Park.

New in 2004 is the Greenville Park Trail which will take families from the Alice Bish Park on Ohio Street to the Greenville City Park.

For more information, contact the Greenville Parks & Recreation Department at 937-548-1314 or agarland@cityofgreenville.org.  Park hours: 6:00 am until 10:00 pm daily.  Office hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday.  www.CityofGreenville.org

North Park
500 Lease Avenue (30 acres)
Open from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Located behind the new Kroger on Wagner Ave.
The following activites are available: a .44 mile walking track, two basketball courts, 2 volleyball courts, athletic fields and new playground equipment. There is one shelter house and bathroom facilities, as well as plenty of paved parking.

South Park
871 Gray Avenue (2 acres)
South Park has a Recreation Center located on the property. The South Park Recreation Center is open Monday through Thursday from 4:00 until 9:00 pm, CLOSED Fridays and open Saturday and Sunday – 12:00 until 5:00 pm. The center is open to all youth and is free of charge. There are various activities such as crafts, pool table, foosball, big screen t.v. and more. There is a wading pool which is open to children under age 11 in the summer and various playground equipment. There are two shelter houses with no rental fee.

Emmit B. Smith Park
850 E. 4th Street (3 acres)
Open from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm.
The park offers benches and a walking and fitness trail.