The following information was taken from Reinventing Public Services for Ohio's 3rd Century, a County Commissioners Association of Ohio publication, p.29.

The origins of Ohio county government can be traced back more than 1000 years ago to England. Counties acted as agents of the King and the national government. In Colonial times after the American Revolution, counties continued to act mostly on behalf of state government in the areas of tax collection, road maintenance, and criminal and civil justice.	County Boundaries, 1799
County Boundaries, 1803	In Ohio, counties predated statehood. They emerged from the unsettled frontier as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which provided an early framework for local government. What was once known as the "Ohio country" saw its first county - Washington County - established in 1788. By 1802, nine counties existed. In 1851, Ohio's last county - Noble County - was established, and as a result, brought the number of counties to its current total of 88. Today, more than 3,000 counties are found in the 48 of 50 states where county government exists.
When Ohio joined the nation in 1803 as its 17th state, counties became the primary subdivision of the state, yet, the role of county government has evolved well beyond its limited, frontier responsibilities. For example, all counties are now responsible for recording deeds, transferring auto titles, and assessing the value of real property. They have discretionary authority to provide optional services to local government, such as for water and sewer service, building inspections and landfill operations. In every governmental matter, whether discretionary or mandatory, counties must always follow state law.	County Boundaries, 1810
County Boundaries since 1888	Today, county government is still making history. Important state and federal responsibilities, such as for environmental management, welfare reform and economic development, have been shifted to county government. It is a shift in roles and responsibilities that is likely to continue. As Ohio has progressed over the last 200 years, it has come to depend more and more on its 88 county governments. This kind of local control over public matters has been at the center of Ohio's two centuries of success, and it remains the key for its continued growth and prosperity well into the future.