Chauncey

History

Chauncey was laid out in 1839, and named after Elihu Chauncey, a partner in a firm that owned several local salt springs. A post office called Chauncey has been in operation since 1838. The village became an early hub for salt production, but by the late 19th century, its economy shifted toward deep coal mining along Sunday Creek. Chauncey’s population grew alongside the coal industry, drawing workers from across Appalachia. In 1932, striking miners opposed wage cuts imposed by the New York Coal Company and sabotaged a section of track near Mine #25. The National Guard was deployed. One miner was killed, and several were injured — an incident that became known locally as the “Chauncey War.” In 2022, a state historical marker was placed in honor of the "Chauncey Boys" — three local men who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, two of whom are buried in Nye Cemetery.

Geography

Chauncey is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.56 square miles (1.45 km2), all land. Situated near the confluence of Sunday Creek and the Hocking River, Chauncey has long been vulnerable to flooding. In response, parts of the low-lying land have been converted into green spaces and parkland, including recent conservation efforts along the creek.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  11,522
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,536
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  8,937
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  8,760
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  8,683
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  8,473
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  8,405
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  8,331

Most recent

• M 2.9 — 2025-05-09
  3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio
• M 2.8 — 2025-04-29
  1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio
• M 3.1 — 2025-04-24
  3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio
• M 3.1 — 2025-04-22
  3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio
• M 2.8 — 2025-02-03
  0 km NE of Reno, Ohio
• M 3.1 — 2025-02-03
  2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio