Bigelow Park
Bigelow Park
1 South Main Street
Johnstown, Ohio 43031
About our “Town Square”
The park area around the town hall was donated to the Johnstown community by the Founder of Johnstown, Oliver Bigelow.
The town hall/opera house was built in 1885.
Bigelow Park is a recognized recreational property that is afforded protection under the requirements of Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966. Use of Federal Funds subjects the proposed undertaking to the requirements of this federal law that protects publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and public or privately-owned historical resources.
Bigelow Park, which includes the Monroe Township Hall and Opera House, is open to the public and maintained and operated by the City of Johnstown. The park contains a bandstand (gazebo), park benches, green space, the original town hall tower bell, picnic tables and a brick seating area surrounding the village clock.
Bigelow Park is a main gathering point for festivals, events, and village activities throughout the year. Although a portion of the park is owned by Monroe Township, a resolution passed on March 6, 2010, recognized that the City of Johnstown would represent the township during project decision-making and be the Official with Jurisdiction over Bigelow Park.
Bigelow Park Use Policy
Oliver Bigelow
Bigelow Park honors Dr. Oliver Bigelow (1759-1817), a physician who served as a surgeon during the American Revolution. Born in Connecticut, he lived in New York and Pennsylvania. In 1810 he purchased from John Alston Brown of Boone Co., Ky., 4000 acres and moved here. In 1813 Dr. Bigelow laid out Johnstown which was incorporated into the State of Ohio. He set aside land at the intersection of Columbus Road (US Route 62) and Newark Road (State Route 37) for a public square which fondly became known as the “Park Yard.” He also set aside land for a cemetery that is entered at W. Maple Street. In 1817 he died and was interred in the cemetery which has been called "Pioneer Cemetery" but officially is "Bigelow Cemetery".
Oliver’s gravestone is cracked and has fallen over. However, the City of Johnstown’s council has approved the purchase of a new gravestone that will be installed at Oliver’s resting place. This is also to celebrate Oliver Bigelow’s once small town becoming a city on October 21, 2021.
Town Hall Bell
The town hall bell was not always located on this grassy area. In 1907 it was positioned in the town hall cupola and was often used to toll funerals, big events, like the end of World War I, polls opening on Election Days and even got to work a little on Halloween to remind youth about curfew hours. It was also used during the Civilian Defense program of the village during the various war years.
The bell weighs a total of 1300 pounds. It was made at the J. B. Foote Foundry Company in Fredericktown, Ohio.
The Town Square (Bigelow Park)
The town square was a gift of Oliver Bigelow when he laid out Johnstown in 1813. The square is called Bigelow Park in his honor. Bigelow died in 1817, but his dream became a reality in 1883 when Elijah Barton began the Town Hall/Opera House. The plaque outside notes that this edifice completed in 1885 is to be known as the Monroe Township Building.
On January 1, 1885 it was dedicated “forever” to the village. It was considered the civic center of the Village. Today the Monroe Township Trustees have control of the building and land adjacent, and the Village Council controls the land adjoining the twenty foot strip of land next to the building. Currently, the Johnstown Historical Society has a museum and offices on the first floor.
Flower Beds
The Mary E. Babcock Foundation sponsors the planting of flowers for Bigelow Park.
Bike Rack
Bike Tool Station
The Johnstown Parks and Recreation Committee voted to add bike racks and a bike tool station to the Bigelow Park area.
The Gazebo
This wonderful structure is located on the corner of W. Coshocton Street (US Route 62) and S. Main Street (State Route 37). Dedications, weddings and mayoral speeches are often performed at this very visible city feature.