Westerville, nestled in Clear Creek Valley, was the first town in Custer County. Named for James H. Westervelt, on whose land the townsite was platted on August 11, 1880, it became an important early trade center after pioneer families, both black and white, homesteaded there during the 1870's. Westerville had many firsts in Custer County, including the first frame church, the Methodist, whose bell echoed across the valley; the first newspaper, The Custer Leader; and the first doctor, lawyer, banker, monument cutter, and general stores. A sod house, hotel, blacksmith shop, livery barn, and flour mill aided early development. The County Agricultural Society was organized there and held the first two county fairs in Westerville in 1881-1882, and the first county teachers institute also convened there. Westerville was bypassed as the county seat and, when the railroad was built farther south in 1886, the town gradually declined. After 100 years, the village remained an active community center, and the modern farms across the valley paid tribute to the courage and perseverance of Westerville's early pioneers, who rest in the cemetery overlooking the village.