Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Below: maps from 1916 on and the census since 1880.
The South Solon post office opened in 1836, the earliest record of the town by name.
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how South Solon’s history is told.
From Wikipedia’s history of South Solon.
As of 1875, the community contained a post office, one grocery store, and one blacksmith shop. The village's community building was constructed in 1938 by the Public Works Administration at an estimated cost of $25,454.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Peaked at 442 in 1920; 329 people lived here in 2020.
15 censuses, 1880–2020.
U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on South Solon’s Wikipedia page.
Passages that mention South Solon, cut from the printed page as they were published.
South Solon, the only town within the limits of Stokes township, is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad and is in the west central part of the township. It was laid out and platted on December 23. 1831, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew Douglas. The latter built the first house and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Noland opened the first store, and was the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Doctor Simmerman, a root and herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first practicing physician, and was quite skillful in treating diseases under his system. The town grew slowly for many years, as it had no railroad or other stimulus
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
South Solon, the only town within the limits of Stokes township, is loeated on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad and is in the west central part of the township. It was laid out and platted on December 23, 1831, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew Douglas. The latter built the first house and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Nolqnd opened the first store, and was. the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Doctor Simmerman, a root and herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first practicing physician, and was quite skillful in treating diseases under his system. The town grew slowly 'for many years, as it had no railroad or other stimulus
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
After the war Mr. Stroup came back to bis native county, and for several years was engaged in farming and selling farm products. During that period he raised purebred Jersey cattle and hogs. In 1889 he removed to South Solon, and in 1902 founded the South Solon Advance, an enterprising newspaper of that section. In 1902 he was elected mayor of South Solon and served eight years, until 1910. In 1914 he was re-elected mayor and is now serving his fifth term. Mr. Stroup is also justice of the peace and a notary public. He is likewise engaged in the real-estate and loan business.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
After the war Mr. Stroup came back to his native county, and for several years was engaged in farming and selling farm products. During that period he raised purebred Jersey cattle and hogs. In 1889 he removed to South Solon, and in 1902 founded the South Solon Advance, an enterprising newspaper of that section. In 1902 he was elected mayor of South Solon and served eight years, until • 1910. In 1914 he was re-elected mayor and is now serving his fifth term. Mr. Stroup is also justice of the peace and a notary public. He is likewise engaged in the real-estate and loan business.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological SurveyEvery edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of South Solon. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of South Solon.
Nobody well known was born in South Solon itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.
The South Solon post office opened in 1836, the earliest record of the town by name (U.S. post office records).
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikimedia Commons (4), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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