Ohio is home to several small towns with unique charm, history and other features. From riverboats and waterfalls to historical landmarks and train depots, there’s something memorable about all of these small towns. The following 15 towns (listed in no particular oder) are 15 of our favorite towns in Ohio to put down roots and call home.
- Yellow Springs
JR P/Flickr Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
- Negley
bob england/Flickr Tucked away in northeastern Middleton Township you’ll find the site of the Youngstown and Southern Railway shop, a post office and other quaint stores in this census-designated place in Columbiana County.
- Marietta
Mike/Flickr The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The town borders West Virginia and is nestled along the banks of both the Muskingum and Ohio River. It’s also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets and sternwheelers.
- Port Clinton
Emily/Flickr The quaint fishing town of Port Clinton has a unique charm all its own year-round. As a safe harbor for Lake Erie boaters and the “Walleye Capital of the World,” Port Clinton eats, sleeps and breathes fishing.
- Greenville
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Greenville is home to the historic Fort Greene Ville and Bear’s Mill. It is also home to the Garst Museum, which features the largest known collections of memorabilia of Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas. (Both Oakley and Thomas were born close to what is now Greenville.)
- Chagrin Falls
Wendy Soucie/Flickr This Cuyahoga County village is the epitome of charm. The town’s name is derived from the waterfalls of the Chagrin River. Chagrin Falls (pictured above) flows in the heart of the town, which was established in 1845.
- Granville
Keith Ewing/Flickr Known for its historic architecture and New England character, this Licking County village is home to the historic Avery Downer House, The Buxton Inn, The Granville Inn and Denison University. Additionally, it is the location of the prehistoric Alligator Effigy Mound, built by people of the Fort Ancient culture
- Loudonville
Todd Petrie/Flickr Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers. The Mohican River flows right through the town and park. Popular activities here include smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing and hiking.
- Dennison
Wikimedia Commons Mostly known for its Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, this lovely village of approximately 2,655 residents in Tuscarawas County is home to rich history, charm and friendly people.
- Perrysburg
Doug Kerr/Flickr Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it one of Ohio’s safest places to live.
- Marblehead
Frank DiBona/Flickr At the tip of the scenic Marblehead Peninsula the charming town of Marblehead features the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse, beautiful views of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay and boating culture. The lighthouse is the Great Lakes’ oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer.
- Peninsula
Cuyahoga eco/Flickr As part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming town sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to downtown Peninsula, making Peninsula a popular stop for many bikers.
- Milan
Jason/Flickr Milan is the proud home of the birthplace of the famous American inventor Thomas A. Edison (pictured.) Milan is a village in both Erie and Huron counties, with a population of approximately 1,351.
- Grand Rapids
Starley Shelton/Flickr This charming village is located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind. While you’re here, we recommend lunch at La Roe’s Restaurant and a ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal.
- Oberlin
Edsel Little/Flickr Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine.
Are you from any of these beautiful small towns? What other small towns are there in Ohio that are great to put down roots and call home?
JR P/Flickr
Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
bob england/Flickr
Tucked away in northeastern Middleton Township you’ll find the site of the Youngstown and Southern Railway shop, a post office and other quaint stores in this census-designated place in Columbiana County.
Mike/Flickr
The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The town borders West Virginia and is nestled along the banks of both the Muskingum and Ohio River. It’s also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets and sternwheelers.
Emily/Flickr
The quaint fishing town of Port Clinton has a unique charm all its own year-round. As a safe harbor for Lake Erie boaters and the “Walleye Capital of the World,” Port Clinton eats, sleeps and breathes fishing.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Greenville is home to the historic Fort Greene Ville and Bear’s Mill. It is also home to the Garst Museum, which features the largest known collections of memorabilia of Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas. (Both Oakley and Thomas were born close to what is now Greenville.)
Wendy Soucie/Flickr
This Cuyahoga County village is the epitome of charm. The town’s name is derived from the waterfalls of the Chagrin River. Chagrin Falls (pictured above) flows in the heart of the town, which was established in 1845.
Keith Ewing/Flickr
Known for its historic architecture and New England character, this Licking County village is home to the historic Avery Downer House, The Buxton Inn, The Granville Inn and Denison University. Additionally, it is the location of the prehistoric Alligator Effigy Mound, built by people of the Fort Ancient culture
Todd Petrie/Flickr
Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers. The Mohican River flows right through the town and park. Popular activities here include smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing and hiking.
Wikimedia Commons
Mostly known for its Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, this lovely village of approximately 2,655 residents in Tuscarawas County is home to rich history, charm and friendly people.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it one of Ohio’s safest places to live.
Frank DiBona/Flickr
At the tip of the scenic Marblehead Peninsula the charming town of Marblehead features the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse, beautiful views of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay and boating culture. The lighthouse is the Great Lakes’ oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer.
Cuyahoga eco/Flickr
As part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming town sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to downtown Peninsula, making Peninsula a popular stop for many bikers.
Jason/Flickr
Milan is the proud home of the birthplace of the famous American inventor Thomas A. Edison (pictured.) Milan is a village in both Erie and Huron counties, with a population of approximately 1,351.
Starley Shelton/Flickr
This charming village is located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind. While you’re here, we recommend lunch at La Roe’s Restaurant and a ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal.
Edsel Little/Flickr
Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine.
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