How it started
Park History
The city's founders gathered in the back room of what is now the Deer Park Inn on Blue Ash Road. Built in 1886 as Helds Tavern, it was just the second building in what would eventually become Deer Park, said owner Hermann Tegenkamp.
''They used to say if you could hit a ball from the field across the street into the front door, you'd get a free drink,'' he said. A grocery now stands on the site of that baseball diamond.
Deer Park was laid out in 1886 as a suburb of residences. The first church, St. John's Catholic, was dedicated in 1892. Still mostly rural, Deer Park was incorporated as a village in 1912. There were 327 residents.
Most of the meetings of the leaders pushing to incorporate the area as a village were held in the back room of Helds Tavern. So when Deer Park was formed, council meetings were held in that same room, At the end of meetings, official minutes say, ''council adjourned to the bar.''
Historical Timeline
- 1788 John Cleves Symmes purchases all land between two Miami Rivers for subsequent resale and development.
- 1795 Treaty of Greenville signed, giving Ohio settlers assurances of safety over Indian "intrusions", Samuel and Rachel Demet Pierson establish log home in vicinity of Deer Park
- 1863 Morgan's raiders visit the area as they pass through Ohio. Story's have it they stopped at what is now Wards Florist.
- 1881 Passenger train runs from Deer Park to Lebanon along "Highland Route."
- 1886 Mutual Homestead Building Co. purchases large section of Pierson estate for suburban development.
- 1890 At some point Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Parrott purchased land in the area.
- 1903 Rapid Railway interurban transit (for the "black cars") brings trolley service to Deer Park; car barns built at Hegner and Blue Ash.
- 1906 Amity school constructed.
- 1912 Deer Park incorporated as village, with backing of Deer Park Welfare Corporation.
- 1930-1951 Several annexations increase overall size of village.
- 1952 Deer Park becomes a city.
- 1953 Deer Park Township is formed.
- 1962 Celebration of Deer Park’s 50th anniversary.
- 197? The City builds a new Community Center.
- 1987 Celebration of Deer Park’s 75th anniversary.
- 2001 Deer Park newly reworked war memorial in Chamberlain Park is dedicated.
- 2020 Community Center Remodeled Updated
- 2025 Concession Stand Remodeled Updated
- 2025 New Music/Events Pavilion Dedicated
Sources for more Deer Park History
Many Thanks to folks like Anne Poole and Dennis Camp and the Historical Society for documenting the history of our City.
SCROLL DOWN FOR HER 75th ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET!
For a detailed site with a plethora of Info on Deer Park:
DEERPARKOHIO.ORG
NEXT EVENT
Come Join Us In The Park for a
TOUCH-A-TRUCK
Saturday September 27 ; NOON to 4pm