John and Joseph Blancett laid out the village of Blanchester in 1823. The community started as a central collection of log buildings among miles of farmland. Since that time, the village has grown, flourished, and suffered. The fire of 1895 destroyed most of the main commercial district at the heart of the village. Sons were sent off to fight in the Civil War and both World Wars. Through it all, Blanchester grew and thrived, and the community celebrated its centennial in 1924--a year late. Today, Blanchester is still a tightly knit village, where friends greet each other as they walk down the street and community events are put on a yearly schedule.