East Liberty’s history can be traced through its historic names and landmarks. Founded by John Bower in 1834, the town was also known as Garwood Mills at one point in its history. A mill, a college, a school, and a later company represent different chapters. If you’d like to learn about local history during a trip, topics range from early grain processing to education and industrial history.
From Garwood Mills to the College
Shortly after East Liberty was founded, John Garwood moved his mill to the new village. The first grain mill dates to this early period, when the town was still called Garwood Mills. People even brought wheat from Urbana to be milled. The mill’s history thus connects the town’s former name with a specific local business and the grain processed there.
Central Ohio College was founded in East Liberty in 1882. Its courses included science, literature, business, music and art, as well as teacher training. This breadth gives the college a distinct place in the town’s history: it was not just a single educational institution, but offered a wide range of subjects, from science to music.
The college closed in 1894. The building was then used as a three-year high school for several more years. To understand the chronology, it helps to distinguish between the institution and the building: the college ended, while the building later served a different educational purpose.
The School and Local Historical Markers
East Liberty School was built in 1906, with an addition added in 1936. Its historical marker stands at the site of the former school building in Perry Township Park and commemorates the first settler, Job Sharp, and his wife, Dr. Phebe Sharp. This place connects the history of the building with the names of two people from the settlement’s early history. If you plan to visit the marker, check its location again before your visit.
Another marker bears the name “Garwoods Mill Site/Home of John Garwood.” It was erected in 1952 on the eastern edge of East Liberty and later moved to the lawn of the East Liberty library. The two location references describe different points in time: the eastern edge was the original site, while the library is its later location.
A Later Chapter: Harding Machine Screw
Ernest H. Harding founded the Harding Machine Screw Company in East Liberty in 1913; the company also opened there that year. It supported the U.S. war effort during both world wars. Unlike the mill and education histories, this chapter turns to local business history. The company’s founding in 1913 came after the school was built in 1906, adding an industrial perspective to the sequence of historic milestones.
Pizza as a Local Dining Option
For a meal break, Pop’s Pizza Parlor is located at 3215 N Main St in East Liberty. Its offerings include pizzas with cheese, pepperoni, sausage, onions, or combinations of these toppings. This provides a specific dining option alongside the town’s historical attractions. Since menu information can change, check the current offerings before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Bellefontaine.
For the broader travel overview: Logan.
