By Thomas Palmer

We’re re-launching a series here on Galion History Corner. Called “Streets and Alleys,” we’ll be taking a look each time at the names of three or four current Galion streets.

In our first installment, we’re looking at three streets named for three prominent local men.

Cherry Street

No, Cherry Street was not named for a grove of cherry trees. Rather, it bears the name of nineteenth century Galion resident Daniel Cherry and his wife, Olive Fellows Cherry. Daniel was born about 1834 in Ohio, and at one point owned a good amount of land in what was referred to as the “Fellows Addition” to Galion – land in the area of what is today the first few blocks of Cherry Street to the east.

In the 1860 US Census, Daniel was listed as a “Fruit Store Agent,” however in 1870 his occupation was stated as “House Carpenter.”

Atwood Street

Galion’s Atwood Street bears the name of an early banker and merchant, Alpheus Atwood. Atwood came to Galion from New York State and married his wife , Cynthia Tracey, about 1855. The couple had eight children.

Alpheus was apparently quite successful as he claimed to own real estate valued at $11,000 and also $6,400 in personal property in the 1870 Census. He donated land to the railroad to entice them to come through Galion – including 13 acres where the first Big Four Depot was built (near the current corner of Atwood and Liberty Streets).

Grant Street

Laid out in the years following the Civil War and named for famed Union General and US President Ulysses S. Grant. Originally, Galion had two Grant Streets, however one in what was then the south part of town was renamed “Grand” to eliminate confusion.


Each Saturday, we share a post about local history. We call this series “Galion History Corner,” and we will be sharing not only stories about our shared heritage but also updates on history news here in southeast Crawford County.

This series is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bernard M. Mansfield, whose “Your Historical Galion” was a fixture in weekend editions of the Galion Inquirer. Dr. Mansfield was a friend and family physician, and he inspired the current generation of Galion historians to continue his work.