At the turn of the 18th century, East Coast settlers began migrating west to the Ohio Valley. Many of these early settlers chose an area of land west of the Miami Valley River to call home. This area became known as the “Jersey Settlement,” as many of these early residents were originally from the New Jersey area.
The earliest Carlisle settlers had strong ties to both farming and religion. One of Carlisle’s oldest buildings, Tapscott Church, was built in the early 1800s after James Tapscott donated a land to area Baptists. The church no longer holds weekly services, but the historic building and adjoining cemetery are owned and maintained by the Village.
The earliest Carlisle settlers had strong ties to both farming and religion. One of Carlisle’s oldest buildings, Tapscott Church, was built in the early 1800s after James Tapscott donated a land to area Baptists. The church no longer holds weekly services, but the historic building and adjoining cemetery are owned and maintained by the Village.
As the 1800s gave way to industrialization across the nation, Carlisle became a stopping point for the railroad community. These ties are still quite evident today, with two major railroad thoroughfares transversing through the heart of the municipality.
In the mid 18th century, a prominent figure in the railroad community, George B. Carlisle, bought and platted a large section of terrain. He donated one of these parcels of land to be used for the benefit of the entire community. In 1856, a group of local men organized the Literary Society and built the original Town Hall building. This building was used for many different purposes over the years: visiting speakers, community gatherings, Carlisle school basketball games, and elections. This portion of the original historic building, located at the corner of Jamaica Road and Central Avenue, is still utilized today as the Carlisle Council Chambers. As a result of Mr. Carlisle’s influence on the community, the area was eventually officially named “Carlisle.”
In the mid 18th century, a prominent figure in the railroad community, George B. Carlisle, bought and platted a large section of terrain. He donated one of these parcels of land to be used for the benefit of the entire community. In 1856, a group of local men organized the Literary Society and built the original Town Hall building. This building was used for many different purposes over the years: visiting speakers, community gatherings, Carlisle school basketball games, and elections. This portion of the original historic building, located at the corner of Jamaica Road and Central Avenue, is still utilized today as the Carlisle Council Chambers. As a result of Mr. Carlisle’s influence on the community, the area was eventually officially named “Carlisle.”
Park Drive |
Literary Society (now part of Town Hall) |
Carlisle was officially incorporated in 1958. The first leaders of this newly-incorporated municipality established the foundation of the future city, including the organization of the Police and Fire Departments, and the adoption of laws and regulations. The first elected officials of the Municipality were:
Carlisle was governed by a a strong mayoral form of leadership (Mayor/Council) until 1987, when the residents of Carlisle adopted a “homerule” charter that changed the form of government to a Council/Manager form. Jeffrey E. Repp was hired as Carlisle’s first Manager.
Carlisle has significantly grown since the early farming days of its past. The growth of the surrounding metropolitan areas has given Carlisle residents the advantage of maintaining its small town appeal, while also benefitting from easily-accessible modern conveniences.
- John Homan, Mayor
- James Gross, Sr., Council Member
- Harold Suhre, Council Member
- Richard Nicholas, Council Member
- Ray Sturgis, Council Member
- Bill Clay, Council Member
- Gene Wilcox, Council Member
Carlisle was governed by a a strong mayoral form of leadership (Mayor/Council) until 1987, when the residents of Carlisle adopted a “homerule” charter that changed the form of government to a Council/Manager form. Jeffrey E. Repp was hired as Carlisle’s first Manager.
Carlisle has significantly grown since the early farming days of its past. The growth of the surrounding metropolitan areas has given Carlisle residents the advantage of maintaining its small town appeal, while also benefitting from easily-accessible modern conveniences.
