In
1796, the area now known as Sharon Township was part of the U.S.
Military District. This district was set up as compensation to
U.S. military officers for their services during the Revolutionary
War.
In 1803, the region of Ohio was granted statehood, and the division
of the state into manageable government bodies began. Townships
were originally created for two reasons. The first was to bring
the services of local government to those who lived in rural areas.
The second was to serve as the basic unit of local government.
Before Franklin County was established, Sharon Township was originally
called Liberty Township; and extended into Delaware County. With
the formation of Franklin County, the name of Liberty Township
was kept for a short time.
On March 4, 1806, the name was changed to Sharon Township, and
the Township was officially established with its current boundaries
on March 4, 1816. These boundaries were Morse Rd. on the south,
the Delaware County line on the north, Cleveland Ave. on the east,
and Linworth Rd. on the west. The Village of Worthington (established
in 1803 ) was situated just south and west of the geographical
center of Sharon Township. |
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The
Township is currently comprised of the City of Worthington,
the Village of Riverlea, and all unincorporated areas which
fall within the geographical boundaries listed above.
As Worthington continued to grow, the residents wanted to remain
within their own township. Consequently, all of the land which
Worthington annexes also becomes part of Sharon Township. The
Township and the City of Worthington cooperatively share the
cost of maintaining two cemeteries, Walnut Grove and Flint.
Originally, the fire department was under the auspices of the
Sharon Township Board of Trustees. It was funded by property
tax from all Township residents. In January of 1994, it was
transferred to the City of Worthington. It is now funded by
an income tax.
The Sharon Township Police Department is operated as a Police
District. The Police Constables have jurisdiction in all areas
of the Township, including the unincorporated areas, Worthington,
and the Village of Riverlea. However, because we are a Police
District, our primary patrol area is the unincorporated areas
of the Township. The residents of those areas pay the tax money
that supports the operations of the Township.
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