Village of Sunbury
Sunbury is a small town similar to so many of Ohio's small towns. At the heart of the historic downtown is the central square that is the symbolic center of the growing town. Here sits the 3 story historic town hall. Thanks to its proximity to Delaware and Columbus, Sunbury has become what some call as a bedroom community.
Sunbury Town Hall
According to the historic marker on the village green, the Sunbury Town Hall was built in 1868. It has served as the village's Town Hall, jail, fire station, community library, bank, a Masons lodge. Today the Town Hall has been renovated for use as community room and houses village offices.
The village green is also home to numerous events throughout the year including the regular farmers market during the
Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial
Located just east of Interstate 71, Sunbury has taken to the forefront in honoring Ohio's military that have been lost since September 11, 2001 when ground was broken for this memorial in 2005. This emotional memorial is a solemn reminder of the high cost Ohio's citizens have paid in the fight against terrorism.
The site consists of marble crosses and the Star of David, each marker bearing the name of an Ohio service member killed in the War on Terror since 9/11. The site also includes a chapel, courtyard with military flags and sculptures.
The memorial site was chosen because of its easy access location and its proximity to the geographic center of the state. It was and is being built by citizens donating their time, talent and treasure. The land was donated by the Village of Sunbury.
Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial
79½ West Cherry St..
Sunbury, 43074
Web Site: www.ohiofallenheroes.org
The site is located just 4 miles east of I-71 at the SR 37 exit at the intersection of SR37 and SR3.
General Rosecrans
Along similar lines is a drive to raise funds for the General Rosecrans statue that will become part of the village green. Currently there is just a large boulder marking the space where the statue will eventually be placed. General Rosecrans, born just north of Sunbury, is the only general without a statue honoring their service and devotion to the Union during the Civil War, perhaps because of his last battle which ended badly for the Union and ended his career.
A graduate of West Point, Rosecrans was a civil engineer. When war erupted, Rosecrans lead troops from Ohio and achieved much success in his early battles in Virginia, then won decisive battles in Mississippi. Rosecrans was then give command of the Army of the Cumberland. However during his campaign ran into problems and confusion in orders during the heat of the battle at Chickamauga, caused him to lose 1/3 of his command. This humiliating defeat brought Rosecrans military career to an end when he was relieved of command by General Grant.
After the war, William Rosecrans entered the world of politics and in 1881 he began representing California in Congress. He died in 1898 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
The boulder which will support the general's statue, actually came from Canada during a long ago ice age. It is one of 5 of the largest such stones found in Ohio.
The statue is to be sculpted by Alan Cottrill of Zanesville and will be one and a third life size. The goal is to put it in place in September 2013. Cottrill is known for his realistic metal sculptures, many of which appear throughout the state and beyond.
Origins of the name Sunbury
There does not seem to be any record of why the newly formed township was named Sunbury by two brothers William and Lawrence Myers. The Myer brothers came here from Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. It was them that gave the name Sunbury when it was recorded in November 1816.
Most likely the Myers brothers carried the name from their native Pennsylvania where there is a small community dating back to the early 1700s named Sunbury on the Susquehanna River where they grew up. The actual word Sunbury can be traced back to England where it can be found as a village name.
