a tale of our town - fresno, ohio

Boyd's Mills 1831 - 1875
Avondale. 1875 - 1905
Fresno 1905 - present

The question came up about the three official names of Fresno. Located where the three branches of White Eyes Creek merge, Because of the water, the Boyd family built a series of Mills, grist for making flour, saw mill for lumber. Boyd also manufactured bags. The mill was first built in 1831 and soon houses sprung up around the Mills. The town was never officially platted. So we can say founded in 1831. By 1855 Adam Gardner owned the Mills and founded the Boyd's Mill Post Office becoming the first town Postmaster.

In 1875 the town's people held a convention to change the town name. Avondale was chosen by ballot and the Post Office changed to the new name April of 1875.

As there was another Avondale near Cincinnati, mail would be confused. Henry Wallace who had moved to Fresno , California from Avondale, suggested that name for the town.
The official documents were filed and the town officially became Fresno on August 4, 1905. 

History Lesson Credit: Larry Stahl
Photo Credit: Louissa Geese