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Xenia, Ohio

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Xenia, Ohio
City
L TO R: Greene County Courthouse, Collier Chapel, Shawnee Park, Xenia City Hall, B&O Railroad Caboose
L TO R: Greene County Courthouse, Collier Chapel, Shawnee Park, Xenia City Hall, B&O Railroad Caboose
Nickname(s): 
"City of Hospitality", "Bicycle Capital of the Midwest", "X-Town"
Motto(s): 
"Vivid History, Vibrant Future"
Location of Xenia, Ohio
Location of Xenia, Ohio
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyGreene
Founded1803
Government
 • MayorMarsha J. Bayless
 • City ManagerBrent Merriman
Area
[1]
 • Total
13.29 sq mi (34.42 km2)
 • Land13.28 sq mi (34.40 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
[2]
932 ft (284 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total
25,719
 • Estimate 
(2012[4])
25,944
 • Density1,936.7/sq mi (747.8/km2)
 • Demonym
Xenian
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
45385
Area code937
FIPS code39-86772[5]
GNIS feature ID1061805[2]
Websitehttp://www.ci.xenia.oh.us/
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xenia, Ohio.

Xenia /ˈziːnjə/ ZEEN-yə is a city in and the county seat of Greene County, Ohio, United States.[6] The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio 21 miles (34 km) from Dayton and is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as the Miami Valley region. The name comes from the Greek word Xenia (ξενία), which means "hospitality".

Many of its residents supported the Underground Railroad in the years before the Civil War.

As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 25,719.[7] Xenia is the third largest city by population in Greene County, behind Fairborn and Beavercreek. It serves as the county seat of Greene County, being at the geographical center, and housing the County Courthouse, the County Sheriff's Department, Jail, and other Government departments. By population, it is the largest place in the United States whose name begins with the letter X.

History

Xenia was founded in 1803, the year Ohio was admitted into the Union. In that year, pioneer John Paul bought 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of land from Thomas and Elizabeth Richardson of Hanover County, Virginia, for "1050 pounds current moneys of Virginia." Paul influenced county commissioners to locate the county seat on this land at the forks of the Shawnee Creeks.

Joseph C. Vance was named to survey the site and lay out the town. The following year, he bought the town site of 257 acres (1.04 km2) from John Paul for $250. The name of the new village was chosen in typically democratic fashion. Vance called a town meeting to discuss possible names. The committee had considered several suggestions without reaching any decision. Then the Rev. Robert Armstrong proposed the name "Xenia," meaning "hospitality" in Greek, because of the fine hospitality extended to him in this friendly community. When a tie vote occurred, Laticia Davis, wife of Owen Davis, was invited to cast the deciding ballot. She voted for "Xenia."

The first session of the Ohio General Assembly created Greene County from the Northwest Territory, embracing the homeland of the Shawnee Indians. Their chief tribal village was north of Xenia at Old Chillicothe, now called Old Town. The Shawnee war chief Tecumseh was born there in 1768.

William Beattie was Xenia's first businessman. In 1804, he opened a tavern which became a center of community affairs. In 1804, John Marshall built Xenia's first home. The first log school house was constructed in 1805, and, that same year, the Rev. James Towler became the town's first postmaster. The growing community soon attracted many pioneer industries - flour mills, sawmills, woolen mills, pork packing plants, oil mills, and tow mills.

Xenia was incorporated by an act of the legislature in 1817 and became a city in 1834. However, it was the arrival of the Little Miami Railroad (now the site of the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which passes through Xenia Station) in 1843 which gave the city its first industrial impetus. On March 2, 1850 the Ohio General Assembly rode from Columbus, Ohio to Xenia and back on the newly completed Columbus and Xenia Railroad.

President-Elect Abraham Lincoln made a brief appearance in the city as his inaugural train traveled from Cincinnati to Columbus on Wednesday morning, February 13, 1861. He gave a short speech which was not recorded by a traveling writer from the New York Times as it echoed the same sentiments that he had expressed before in his previous stops. According to the Times writer, "a very large crowd assembled, and amid the firing of a cannon and enthusiasm, Mr. Lincoln addressed them from the rear car, reiterating what he had said before.".[8]

The town progressed rapidly during the mid-19th century. Artificial gas was provided in the 1840s and continued in use until natural gas was made available in 1905. The first fire engine house was built in 1831; the telephone came to Xenia in 1879; electricity in 1881 and a water works system in 1886. Xenia opened its first free public library in 1899. By 1900 the city was operating its own sewage system.

Xenia elected Cornelius Clark as its first mayor in 1834. On January 1, 1918, the current commission-manager plan succeeded the old form of municipal government.

Tornadoes

Xenia has a history of severe storm activity. According to local legend, the Shawnee Indians referred to the area as "the place of the devil wind" or "the land of the crazy winds" (depending upon the translation).[9] Records of storms go back to the early 19th century. Local records show 20 tornadoes in Greene County since 1884.[citation needed]

File:Xenia74.jpg
Xenia tornado on April 3, 1974

On April 3, 1974 a tornado[10] rated F5 on the Fujita scale cut a path directly through the middle of Xenia during the Super Outbreak, the second largest series of tornadoes in recorded history. The disaster killed 34 people (including two Ohio National Guardsmen who died days later in a related fire), injured an additional 1,150, destroyed almost half of the city's buildings, and left 10,000 people homeless. Five schools, including Xenia High School, Central Junior High School, McKinley Elementary, Simon Kenton Elementary, and Saint Brigid Catholic School were destroyed. Also destroyed were nine churches and 180 businesses.

The city's plight was featured in the national news, including a 1974 NBC television documentary, Tornado!, hosted by Floyd Kalber. President Richard Nixon visited stricken areas of Xenia following the devastation. Comedian Bob Hope organized a benefit for Xenia and, in appreciation, the new Xenia High School Auditorium was named the "Bob Hope Auditorium." In recognition of their coverage of this tornado, the staff of the Xenia Daily Gazette won the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Reporting in 1975.[11]

Xenia was struck by an F2 tornado on April 25, 1989 and again by an F4 tornado on September 20, 2000. The 1989 tornado caused over $2 million in damage, but no one was killed. The twister of 2000 killed one person, and injured 100 people. This tornado followed a path roughly parallel to the 1974 tornado.[12][13]

Xenia currently has a system of tornado sirens. After the 1974 tornado outbreak, the city purchased a system of Federal Thunderbolt Sirens for warning. During the 2000 tornado strike, the lack of backup power silenced the sirens, so the city purchased Federal Signal 2001-SRN series sirens with battery backup. Most of Xenia's old sirens are still standing, but not operational.[citation needed]

Historical Marker: Xenia Tornado April 3, 1974

Railroads

Xenia originally hosted several lines owned by the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) and Pennsylvania (PRR) railroads. All lines have since been abandoned, the last being dismantled by 1989.

The lines that previously served Xenia were:

The roadbeds of five of Xenia's six rail lines were converted for rail trail use. The one exception — the B&O line west of town — was not converted because it closely paralleled the PRR mainline for most if its length. The large number of rail trails resulted in Xenia being referred to as the Bicycle Capital of the Midwest.[14]

Xenia was also served by two interurban railways until the 1940s:

  • Dayton & Xenia Transit Company
  • Springfield & Xenia Railway

Geography

Xenia is centrally located in the "transportation triangle" formed by three major interstate highways: I-70, I-71, and I-75. These north-south, east-west arteries are within minutes of Xenia via U.S. Routes 35, 42, and 68, tying the community to one of the nation's largest 90-minute highway markets. Before the creation of the U.S. Interstate Highway system, U.S. 68 was one of the main southward routes from Detroit, Michigan. Within Xenia, U.S. 68 is named "Detroit Street".

Xenia is at 39°41′1″N 83°56′17″W / 39.68361°N 83.93806°W / 39.68361; -83.93806 (39.68, -83.94).[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.29 square miles (34.42 km2), of which, 13.28 square miles (34.40 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]

Climate

Climate data for Xenia, Ohio
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 73
(23) 		74
(23) 		83
(28) 		89
(32) 		95
(35) 		102
(39) 		108
(42) 		107
(42) 		103
(39) 		92
(33) 		80
(27) 		74
(23) 		108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 36
(2) 		41
(5) 		51
(11) 		63
(17) 		72
(22) 		80
(27) 		84
(29) 		82
(28) 		76
(24) 		65
(18) 		52
(11) 		41
(5) 		62
(17)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 19
(−7) 		23
(−5) 		32
(0) 		41
(5) 		51
(11) 		59
(15) 		63
(17) 		60
(16) 		53
(12) 		42
(6) 		34
(1) 		25
(−4) 		42
(6)
Record low °F (°C) −28
(−33) 		−20
(−29) 		−5
(−21) 		14
(−10) 		25
(−4) 		37
(3) 		42
(6) 		38
(3) 		25
(−4) 		16
(−9) 		−8
(−22) 		−24
(−31) 		−28
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.64
(67) 		2.28
(58) 		3.15
(80) 		3.90
(99) 		4.57
(116) 		4.02
(102) 		4.13
(105) 		3.62
(92) 		2.72
(69) 		2.83
(72) 		3.27
(83) 		2.99
(76) 		39.58
(1,005)
Source: NOAA,[16] The Weather Channel (extremes),[17] HKO (sun only)[18]

Local government

The Xenia City Council exercises the powers and authority of a municipal corporation as determined by the constitution of the State of Ohio and the Charter and ordinances of the City of Xenia. The City Council of Xenia, Ohio, is composed of seven elected council members, including one mayor. Council members are each elected for one four-year term of office.

City Council Members and term start years:

  • Marsha J. Bayless (2014) - Mayor
  • Michael D. Engle (2012) - City Council President
  • Joshua Long (2012) - City Council Vice President
  • Jeanne Mills (2014) -
  • John Caupp (2012)
  • Dale Louderback (2012)
  • Wesley Smith (2014)

Others:

  • Brent Merriman — City Manager
  • Ryan Duke — Assistant City Manager
  • Mark Bazelak — Finance Director
  • Jason Lake — Assistant Finance Director
  • Ronald Lewis — Law Director

In February of 2015, Virgil Vaduva, a journalist and editor of The Greene County Herald stood in front of the Xenia police station in an attempt to raise awareness about the constitutionality of the city’s anti-panhandling law. The petition was passed at the request of the Xenia Police Department because they were "tired" of dealing with people in poverty. [19] As a part of his reporting, Vaduva recorded a video of his encounters with local people, many choosing to make a donation to a local charity in town as a result of his actions. Vaduva was cited by the Xenia police for “panhandling” which is a fourth degree misdemeanor. [20]

In a pre-trial arraignment hearing Judge Catherine Barber (or Kathryn Barber), a retired judge filling in for the Xenia Municipal Judge Michael Murray stated “there will be no mentioning of the Constitution” and then was recorded laughing out loud in open court when the defendant claimed that uttering words on a public sidewalk constitutes free speech.[21] This was in response to a suggestion from the prosecutor that bringing up the constitution and civil rights “will confuse the jury.”

Xenia City Officials have a history of questionable or illegal dealings which have been in the press. The Ohio Supreme Court permanently disbarred former city prosecutor Craig W. Saunders after he was caught stealing more than $40,000 from an estate entrusted to his professional management. [22] In a separate matter, two city council members also are currently under public examination for conflict of interest after they invested in a business venture which they voted on as council members. Additionally, the current Xenia City Law Director (prosecuter), Ronald Lewis was charged with tax evasion in late 2014 for failing to include self-employment income for more than five years. [23] All the charges against him were dismissed after he claimed that he “forgot” to file and that it was “an honest mistake.” The city judge ordered all evidence to be struck from the record.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18503,024—
18604,65854.0%
18706,37736.9%
18807,02610.2%
18907,3013.9%
19008,69619.1%
19108,7060.1%
19209,1104.6%
193010,50715.3%
194010,6331.2%
195012,87721.1%
196020,44558.8%
197025,37324.1%
198024,712−2.6%
199024,664−0.2%
200024,164−2.0%
201025,7196.4%
2012 (est.)25,9440.9%
Sources:[5][24][25][26]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 25,719 people, 10,390 households, and 6,631 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,936.7 inhabitants per square mile (747.8/km2). There were 11,424 housing units at an average density of 860.2 per square mile (332.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.0% White, 13.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 10,390 households of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 24,164 people, 9,378 households, and 6,527 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,989.3 people per square mile (767.9/km²). There were 9,924 housing units at an average density of 817.0 per square mile (315.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.30% White, 13.51% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 9,378 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,457, and the median income for a family was $43,046. Males had a median income of $34,497 versus $24,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,481. About 8.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Xenia Community School District has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high school:

  • Cox Elementary School (Grade K-5)
  • McKinley Elementary School (Grade K-5)
  • Arrowood Elementary (Grade K-5)
  • Shawnee Elementary (Grade K-5)
  • Tecumseh Elementary (Grade K-5)
  • Central Middle School (Grade 6)
  • Warner Middle School (Grade 7-8)

Private schools in Xenia:

Media

The following are popular radio stations that can be heard in and around Xenia:
FM:

  • 90.3 FM WKCD Cedarville ("K-LOVE") -- Contemporary Christian
  • 91.3 FM WYSO Yellow Springs (NPR)
  • 92.9 FM WGTZ Eaton ("Fly 92.9") -- Adult Hits
  • 93.7 FM WFCJ Miamisburg ("Inspiration 93.7") -- Christian
  • 94.5 FM WYDB Dayton ("Lite 94.5") -- Lite Rock
  • 94.9 FM WREW Fairfield ("Rewind 94.9") -- Adult Hits
  • 95.3 FM WZLR Xenia ("The Eagle") -- Classic Hits
  • 95.7 FM WHIO-FM Pleasant Hill ("WHIO News Talk Radio")
  • 99.1 FM WHKO Dayton ("K99.1 FM") -- Country
  • 99.9 FM WCHD Kettering ("Channel 9-9-9") -- Top 40
  • 100.3 FM WBZI Xenia ("Classic Country Radio") -- Classic Country
  • 101.5 FM WCLI Enon (101.5 FM "Click 101.5") -- Modern Adult Contemporary
  • 102.9 FM WDHT Urbana ("Hot 102.9") -- Hip Hop/R&B
  • 103.5 FM WGRR Hamilton ("WGRR") -- Greatest Hits
  • 104.7 FM WTUE Dayton ("WTUE") -- Classic Rock
  • 106.5 FM WOLT Greenville ("Big 106.5") -- Greatest Hits
  • 107.7 FM WMMX Dayton ("Mix 107.7") -- Hot Adult Contemporary


AM:

  • 610 AM (WTVN) Columbus ("NewsRadio 610 WTVN")
  • 700 AM (WLW) Cincinnati ("NewsRadio 700 WLW"—News/Talk)
  • 980 AM (WONE) Dayton (Fox Sports Radio)
  • 1290 AM (WHIO) Pleasant Hill ("NewsTalk 1290 WHIO")
  • 1410 AM (WING) Dayton (ESPN Radio)
  • 1500 AM (WBZI) Xenia (Classic Country)


Television news stations covering the City of Xenia in news and weather broadcasts include:


Newspapers covering the City of Xenia include:


Online News & Information Sites Covering Xenia

  • Xenia's Word on the Street (www.xeniaword.net)

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  5. ^ a b c "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ^ http://www.ci.xenia.oh.us/uploads/Planning%20Department/2000-2010%20census%20031011.pdf
  8. ^ "The Incoming Administration; Progress Of President-Elect Towards Washington". New York Times. February 14, 1861. p. 1.
  9. ^ Smith, Joanne Huist; "Devil Winds: City's Curse or Tall Tale?" Dayton Daily News, Sept. 16, 2001, page 1B.
  10. ^ Ramby, Homer G. "Xenia, Ohio- Tornado- April 3, 1974".
  11. ^ "1975 Winners". Pulitzer.org. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ^ "Tornadoes in Greene County, Ohio". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  13. ^ "Tornadoes in Greene County, Ohio in April 1989". Tornado History Project. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  14. ^ citytowninfo.com/Xenia
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  16. ^ "NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  17. ^ "Monthly Averages for Dayton, OH – Temperature and Precipitation". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  18. ^ "Climatological Normals of Dayton". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
  19. ^ https://vimeo.com/119514043
  20. ^ http://truthvoice.com/2015/03/ohio-judge-there-will-be-no-mentioning-of-the-constitution-here/
  21. ^ http://bambuser.com/v/5372976
  22. ^ http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/summaries/2012/0417/111460.asp
  23. ^ http://xeniaword.com/2014/07/30/charges-filed-against-city-law-director-for-failure-to-pay-taxes/
  24. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  26. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Xenia.
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