COMMUNITY

Our History | Key Events

Early Settlement, 1799

The land on which Rutland is located was settled in 1799 by pioneers from Rutland, Massachusetts and Rutland, Vermont. At the time of settlement, the present community known by locals was originally part of the Northwest Territory. Thriving industry included agriculture, coal mining and railroading.

Rutland's First Government, 1803

Following the admission of Ohio into the union in 1803, the area became part of Rutland Township, its first local government. From 1803 until 1913, residents elected a three-member Board of Township Trustees, a Township Clerk and a Township Constable. In 1819, Rutland Township became one of the twelve townships of the newly created Meigs County, named after Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., the fourth Governor of Ohio.

In 1828, the present Village was surveyed and platted by Samuel Halliday, the father of William Parker Halliday, a native of Rutland, born July 27, 1827, whose name is inscribed on the Village Seal.

The Village of Rutland, Born, 1913

It wasn't until 1913 when 73 residents petitioned the Rutland Board of Township Trustees to legally incorporate the platted area as a statutory Village pursuant to the Ohio Constitution. The municipal corporation of the Village of Rutland, as is known today, was born after a general election favored the incorporation. Following its incorporation, the Village of Rutland elected its first Mayor, Village Clerk, Village Treasurer and Village Marshal. Also elected was a six-member Village Council.

Rutland's First High School, 1919

Rutland gained its first high school building when construction on the facility began in 1915. Prior, pupils studied in one room schoolhouses. Rutland High School, mascot "Red Devils", opened in 1919. The building was located where Dollar General sits today.

School Building Expansion, 1955

In 1955, construction began on the new Rutland High School Gymnasium, presently the Rutland Civic Center, which was completed two years later; as well as an 11 classroom addition onto the existing Rutland Elementary School, also completed in c. 1957.

Growth Occurs, 1960s

In the 1960s, the Village witnessed unprecedented growth. Population boomed 24% from 554 residents in 1950 to 687 residents in 1960, and as a result, new homes were built on Salem Street. Also in full operation was the Village of Rutland Water Works Plant, formerly located on the grounds of the present Rutland Firemen's Park. Until the 1970s, the Village embraced its own landfill, located on Weber Hill Road. A new fire station is opened on Larkin Street in 1961.

Rutland Becomes Part of Meigs Local, 1968

In 1968, Rutland consolidated with Middleport and Pomeroy exempted village school districts to form Meigs Local School District. The consolidation resulted in the construction of Meigs High School, mascot, "Meigs Marauders". The 1919 building of the Rutland High School campus was closed and later demolished. The School's gymnasium later became the Rutland Civic Center and Village Hall.

The Modern Rutland

Today, Rutland is unique, small American town comprised of 526 residents; 220 homes; 9 businesses, including an automotive service center, a truck repair garage, garbage collection service, two discount retailer stores, a propane service provider, funeral home, post office and two restaurants.

Also occupying the Village are six churches, denominations including Church of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, Free Will Baptist, Holiness, Independent Holiness and United Methodist. Two civic organizations, Rutland Volunteer Fire Department and Rutland Youth League also serve the community.

Public facilities include two municipal parks, Jim Vennari Park and Rutland Firemen's Park as well as one baseball complex with three diamonds, the Sammy "Red" Robinson Field.