History Arcanum was laid out in 1849. The Greenville and Miami railroad arrived to Arcanum in 1852, connecting it to Dayton and much of the outside world. This helped contribute to the majority of its economic prosperity. Arcanum received its name in November 1848 when two engineers were given the task by John Gunder. Gunder instructed the men to "select a name and have one that is not on the map of the globe." Between the first requirement and the dark, foggy November weather, the men chose "Arcanum," which conveniently means "secret, hidden." A post office has been in operation at Arcanum since 1852.
hIStOry ARcAnuM Was Laid OuT IN 1849. the gREenVIlLE And Miami raIlroad arrIVed to ARcAnum in 1852, conNectiNG it To DAYTon and MucH Of tHe oUTsidE WorlD. tHis helped contRIBuTE tO the maJority of iTs ecoNoMiC prospErITy. ArcaNuM ReceiveD Its name In nOvembeR 1848 when TwO eNgIneers WeRE given the tASk by johN gundeR. gundeR inStrUctEd THe men to "SelecT a name AnD HavE ONe That Is NOt on The Map Of thE glOBe." bEtwEeN The fIRsT rEquiREmeNt And The darK, FogGy novembEr wEathEr, the men CHose "arcanUm," Which ConveniEntlY MEans "secret, hiDden." a post OffiCE hAs bEen in OpEratioN at arcanuM sInce 1852.