South Lebanon: By Wanda Robbins 4-10-92

In Warren County sits our little town

Since 1795 it has been around.

At that time Deerfield was its name

Later on, South Lebanon it became.

First Methodist minister arrived, he had no place to preach

A Baptist named Sutton let him use his home, people to reach.

August 8, 1798, John Kobler preached first Methodist sermon in town

Since that time Methodist preaching has been around.

The Methodist Church sits on King Avenue today

I say with that record the Methodists are here to stay.

The Methodist was the first here to start a work

Now our town has eleven different places to go to church.

The very first Church of God down by Duff’s Corner came

First minister, Martin Luther Kilburn was his name.

He was the grandfather of the Roy Kilburn clan

That’s how the first Church of God in this town began.

You tied your horse to a hitching post when you went in

That is the way you got to church, way back then.

In 1869, gasoline lights lined our streets

In 1879, natural gas lights replace the obsolete.

In 1889, electric lights, another change was due

Always improving it for people like you.

January 1, 1805, Deerfield’s first Post Office came

1871 South Lebanon Post Office became its name.

South Lebanon organized its own band October 1, 1898

Seventeen members they had at that date.

They traveled to Cincinnati and also to fairs, to be

They won prizes, their band was called K of P.

Deerfield’s first election was held first Tuesday 1903

Without elections today, where would we be?

Our Village population over 3,000 today

When we go to the polls, we have our say.

A lot of time has come and gone since those early days

We do things different in so many ways.

September 22, 1903, first street car ran on electric rails

Today we take our bikes and head for the bike trails.

When the Appalachian people came here to homestead

Fred’s Mushroon and King Powder Plants made their living, it’s said.

People from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia make up this town

We came her to raise our families and to settle down.

Ole Kash said Kentucky took over without firing a shot

If that is so, just look at what we got!

Now Kash Amburgy is a man this town owes many thanks

If it was not for him, just where would our town rank?

When he came here and built this subdivision

He built 290 homes in ten years that’s a man with a vision.

Kash has sold many things, he’s known as Ohio’s #l Seller

Just follow the signs and cars, they’ll lead you to that feller.

In the early days the town was run by Justice of Peace

Now we have the Mayor, Council and Trustees.

Don’t forget our firefighters, life squad and police too

If we didn’t have these fine people, what would we do?

For years they volunteered to come to our rescue

I think our town owes them a great big THANK YOU.

Around 30 some businesses our town now claims

We’ve come a long way since Deerfield changed names.

In 1962 the town got its first bank

To Lebanon Citizens National we owe our thanks.

Thanks to all the businesses, so many cannot name

But we really appreciate you all just the same.

Now it’s 1992, Albert Shepherd is our Mayor today

He will do his best to help you in any way

He really shows an interest in our town

This make his second time around.

July 24, 25 and 26 we’re going to celebrate

With an APPALACHIAN FESTIVAL, so don’t you be late.

We want you all to come out and have fun

When the celebration’s over, let’s make our town NUMBER ONE!

-Wanda Robbins

4-10-92