Historical Information about Clifton
Clifton Village received it's name because of the beautiful natural cliffs and scenery. It is the oldest village in Miami Township, and was laid out in 1833 by Robert Watson, surveyor. Timothy Bates and Bennett Lewis were original proprietors in the village. The land was purchased for General Patterson, who owned the mill on the Little Miami. In a short time there was a distillery, saw mill, and flouring mill in operation. People within a radius of twenty-five miles patronized them. Because of the superior waterpower Clifton stood a good chance of becoming a manufacturing and commercial city. Being located on the Cincinnati, Lebanon and Columbus stage route, made it easily accessible.
In 1833 Timothy Bates hired A.G. Kiler to build homes in Clifton. Kiler built 14 of the largest and most substantial buildings ever built in the following year.
Some of the first people to settle in Clifton and the area were; General Benjamin Whiteman, John Knox, Braley, Knott, Baker, Porter, Gibson, Stevenson, Luce, Anderson and Kemp. Kemp lived across the river, and operated the mills.
Bates and Lewis opened a store several years before the town was laid out. William and David Anderson built a house and stocked it with groceries after the village was laid out. Shortly after followed a chair factory, several grocery stores, and a number of rum-selling establishments.
The town incorporated in 1834 or 1835. Bates was the first postmaster, and was succeeded by William Anderson, appointed during the Jackson administration.
A man by the name of Confer, was the first blacksmith in Clifton. He decided to leave Clifton and return to his home state of Virginia. General Whiteman brought his horse to the shop the day before Confer's departure. He told Confer: "Shoe this horse, and I will not have him reshod until you return." Confer replied that he would never return, but six months later the blacksmith returned to Clifton. General Whiteman brought back the same horse to have the shoes removed.
There was discussion of building a railroad from Springfield to Xenia, and an effort was made to have Clifton on the contemplated route. Timothy Bates supported the idea but became careless and lukewarm toward it. Meanwhile, William Mills of Yellow Springs, lost no time in securing the railroad there.
The stagnant water of the mill-dam infected the air with ague. People were strickened with the disease, and others started moving away. So, the lack of the railroad facilities and the loss of some of Clifton's most enterprising citizens, were effects from which it never recovered.
The Cedarville News
Cedarville, Ohio
January, 1996
p. 8
Information from:
History of Greene County
by R.S. Dills,
Dayton, Ohio: 1881.