Ohio City, Ohio

For the Ohio City now a part of Cleveland, see Ohio City (Cuyahoga County), Ohio.

Village website

Ohio City is a village in Van Wert County, Ohio, United States with a population of 784 as of the 2000 census. It is included within the Van Wert, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Location of Ohio City, Ohio

Ohio City is located at 40°46′15″N 84°37′2″W (40.770878, -84.617274)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 784 people, 312 households, and 218 families residing in the village. The population density was 658.1/km² (1,706.0/mi²). There were 329 housing units at an average density of 276.1/km² (715.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.32% White, 0.13% African American, 0.13% Asian, 1.15% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 312 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $42,734. Males had a median income of $29,526 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,304. About 1.7% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

In the past Ohio City has had two name changes, Van Wert Junction and Enterprise. It was platted on March 4-8, 1876 by Butler, Patterson & Company as Van Wert Junction. On June 1, 1882 a vote was taken with 28 for and 11 against to change the name to Enterprise. The name Enterprise caused much confusion to the post office at the time because there was another Enterprise in Pickaway County, OH. Again, the name was in need of being changed.

The town council met on June 1, 1890, and a man by the name of Lewis J. Kiggins brought up the subject, and asked the rest of the men if they liked Ohio City. The vote was taken and Ohio City became the new name.

In 1910, Ohio City was a very prosperous town. It has three churches, one Union School, 2 dry goods stores, two hardware stores, one clothing store, two millinery establishments, three hotels, three restaurants, one bakery, four saloons, two shoe shops, one tailor shop, one silversmith shop, one slack barrel factory, one lumber yard, two blacksmith shops, two elevators, one tile factory, one lumberyard, two blacksmith shops, one beet dump, two sawmills, one harness shop, one ice-making house, and three railroads all using the centrally located Union Depot.

Ohio City has had it's share of exciting events happen. In 1925, two bandits held up the bank 12:30 PM and made away with $4,000. In 1930, bandits rob Farmers bank, leaving one wounded when cashier opens fire. On March, 1996 the Van Wert National Bank was robbed.

Ohio City is also known for the Lambert Car. John William Lambert made the first gas-powered car, according to records, he made his first trip on Saturday May 20 1891. Lambert drove the automobile out of the garage and down Main Street, where he turned south. The front wheel hit a rut in the muddy street and bounced toward the curb before Lambert cut the engine and the vehicle stopped.

Later that summer, Ohio City because the scene of the first automobile accident in the United States, when Lamberts car struck a tree stump in the road and bounced into a hitching rack. Local pharmacist James Swoveland was a passenger on that ride and often told the story.

On Oct. 1st of that year, a fire destroyed the elevator along with the first automobile and a second four wheeled model Lambert had yet to test.

Ohio City is also the home of Henry Rife, a atv stunt jumper who was recently on The late show on Sept 29th.

Lambert Festival

Every year the village holds a weekend festival called "Lambart Days" and is always the 3rd full weekend in July. The festival has activity's such as an ATV stunt show, Car show, Wiffle Ball Tournament, Softball, Parade, Texas Hold-um Tournament, and many more. This years dates are : July, 18,19,20th. Come and bring the kids for a weekend of fun.

External links

Village website