Get to Know East Fairfield Township

Founded in 1868

The Township of East Fairfield is seeped in community and history that is as rich as its beautiful natural surroundings.

East Fairfield was originally part of the existing Fairfield Township which was formed in 1800. French Creek, that ran directly through the center of the Township, was often so high that the residents of the eastern portion of the township could not attend elections, thus depriving them of a choice in their officers. New boundary lines were formed to separate the existing Fairfield Township into two separate ones and East Fairfield Township was created on April 13, 1868 by decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Crawford County.

 French Creek was the course by which  pioneers of Crawford County reached the fertile valley that would eventually be East Fairfield.  The earliest arrived before Indian peace had yet been enforced.  Henry Marley and John Wentworth were the first two accredited settlers in the 1790's.

The first schoolhouse was built on Andrew Gibson's farm in 1802. Shaw's landing was a station on the Franklin Branch Railroad and at one time boasted a store, cheese factory and oil refinery. The Pettis post office was located in the northeast part of the township close to the St. Peter and Paul Church built in 1844. The Stitzerville hamlet included several residents and the Wolf's Grist and Sawmill on Little Sugar creek. St. Mark's church was built along what would eventually be known as the Franklin Turnpike in 1867.

Our historic heritage can be attested by our roads that still carry the names of local families. While other localities have increased  industrial growth East Fairfield has determined to maintain mostly residential and agricultural zoning. The township still has several working farms and is proud of it's farming community.