According to the “History of Logan County” published in 1880 by O.L. Baskin, West Mansfield had the nickname of “Fip Town”. “This name was given to it in its early days, when a company of surveyors called at its only store for a lunch of crackers and cheese, which demand the storekeeper could not supply. “Well”, said one of them, “we will call this place “Fip Town”.

The first house in West Mansfield was built by Bliss Danforth. It was made with round logs eighteen by twenty feet, one story and covered with clapboards. The next two houses were built by Ellis and Henry Baldwin. The first tavern was kept by John Coussins. Samuel Danforth and William Keller ran a store that sold “notions of all kinds and groceries”. James Wilgus had the first shoe shop, Mark Austin and John Coussins operated blacksmith shops. John Robinson was the first Postmaster. Mail was transported from Bellefontaine to West Mansfield daily.

The Wesleyan Methodists began meeting in the schoolhouse in 1843, but only met for about three years before disbanding. The United Brethren met in the schoolhouse as early as 1845 and built the first church in West Mansfield in 1852. Their second church was built in 1877. The Methodist Episcopal denomination organized a church in 1869.

The second schoolhouse, built in 1873, was a large brick structure. There were two hotels in the village kept by Henry Hathway and V. Southard, two dry goods stores, one drug store, hardware store, wagon shop, harness shop, and one sawmill ran by William Bushong and Ham McDonald.

The village was incorporated in 1879 with the following officers, William Ballinger, Mayor, Dr. Skidmore, Clerk, Dr. Maris, Treasurer, Ham McDonald, Marshal, J.T. Robinson, F. Carson, J.N. Wilgus, Councilmen.

Big changes came to West Mansfield in July 1893 when the first T. & O.C. Railroad train steamed into town. The residents were so excited they made a big dinner for “the tracklayers and all others concerned and had a celebration that laid “Old Fourth of July” in the shade”. About 100 West Mansfield citizens took a ride on the first excursion train from West Mansfield to Marysville. The round-trip cost 25 cents. The first passenger train rolled into West Mansfield in September 1893.

In Gen. Robert P. Kennedy’s “Historical Review of Logan County” he states, “West Mansfield has grown rapidly since it has secured a railroad. West Mansfield is one of the thrifty, thriving, growing and most prosperous towns in the county, with a bank, a handsome city hall, and almost every kind of business”.

In March 1896, a bill to create a new township out of the south end of Bokescreek and the north end of Perry was passed by legislature. The new township was named Logan with West Mansfield as the “capital”. However, the residents of Perry Township objected and took the matter to court where it was overturned in February 1897 in favor of Perry Township.

Simpson Van Cleve moved to West Mansfield in 1881 and became interested in making drainage tile. Simpson partnered with the H.E. Southard and Thomas F. Wilson to form the Van Cleve Clay Manufacturing Company. In 1900, the company suffered a major fire, and their buildings were destroyed. The company quickly rebuilt and flourished. They shipped tile to many parts of the Country and grew to one of largest manufacturers of drainage and building tile in Ohio. The company was very successful until the 1920’s. In the early 1950’s, the area where the Van Cleve Clay Manufacturing Company once thrived, was drained and a dam built for a 13-acre lake. The West Mansfield Conservation Club was then formed and incorporated in 1955. In addition to the lake, the Club also built a trap shooting range that became very popular. Over the years the Club has hosted many community events including turkey raffles, fox drives, ox roasts, euchre and dance parties, and their monthly fish fry.

Like many small towns, once railroad service ceased operation business slowed. However, West Mansfield has continued to thrive with a population of 749 people, 271 households, and 190 families residing in the village.