Lilly Chapel, Ohio

In 1850, a Methodist church was built on land owned by Wesley Lilly, and in recognition of his donation of land, the church was named "Lilly Chapel".[4] At the time, there was no community, although the church did draw many settlers from that part of Union County. In 1871, a Short-line railroad was announced running between Columbus and Springfield, and a store was opened near the church in expectation of the railroad.[4] In 1873, the railroad was completed, and a station was opened and named Lilly Chapel.

The community was laid out on August 28, 1871, by Henry Gilroy and Henry Lilly, and originally named Gilroy.[4] Due to the church and railroad station already being named Lilly Chapel, when Henry Lilly petitioned for a post office, he used that name. The Lilly Chapel Post Office was established April 16, 1873,[5] and the first postmaster was Thomas Horn, who was also the community's first railroad agent.[4] The town's first physician was Dr. Taggart, who moved to Lilly Chapel in 1880, and by 1885, the community contained three general stores, one grocery store, two blacksmith shops, a wagon and buggy shop, two steam sawmills, and two grain elevators.[4] In 1878, a steam-powered tile factory was built. As of 1915, the community contained a bank, two churches, a high school, two general stores, a hardware store, a confectionery, a grain elevator, and a blacksmith.[4] The post office was discontinued on December 31, 1957, and the mail service is now through the West Jefferson branch.[5]

As of 1885, the community had a population of 200, and as of 1915, the population was 370.[4]