From Small Beginnings
Here's a little preview of the beginning of the new city.
Lenox began as a small mill town on Mercer and Remington islands in the Hawke river. Its location along existing shipping routes allowed the small mill to develop into a larger industrial operation along the river, and a town called Mercer was soon officially established. Mercer grew quickly, and soon many more new towns started popping up along a nearby ridge above the riverbanks. Officials from Lawrence County, which presides over the area, began to see the need to establish a central government and infrastructure plan for the rapidly growing Mercer area. Funds were bolstered, officials were appointed, a charter was drafted, and the Commonwealth City of Lenox was established.
The residents of the mostly lawless unincorporated towns that littered the upper banks weren't very happy about the county stepping in and establishing a city to charge them taxes and tell them what to do. Many residents saw the change as reason to move across the river to Perry County, where they could again establish their own unincorporated towns. Thankfully this sentiment was far outweighed by the number of people who flocked to the new city with all its protections and services.
One of the city's two main boulevards, Rutherford Blvd.
Looking toward the city along the Remington Bridge. This bridge connects the main industrial areas along the river with the rest of the city. The town of Mercer can be seen on the left along the beach.
Currently, Lenox is still operating on a provisional charter and has no elected officials. Lawrence County appointed an interim City Council, whose job it is to assess the current infrastructure, take a provisional census survey, and develop draft legislation that will be worked on further by the full-time council that is to be elected in the coming weeks. The city charter provides for basic ordinances and taxation. Once the council is elected and take their offices, a mayoral campaign and election process will take place; for now the Lawrence County Board President is acting mayor, although her only true duty as such is to preside over council meetings.
The city is growing quickly! Things are happening!
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