Galion, Ohio

Galion, Ohio
City
The Galion Theatre located on Harding Way West in uptown Galion
Location of Galion, Ohio
Location of Galion in Crawford County
Coordinates: 40°43′59″N 82°47′19″W
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Counties	Crawford, Morrow, Richland
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Mayor	Mayor Tom O'Leary
Area
• Total	7.41 sq mi (19.20 km2)
• Land	7.39 sq mi (19.15 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	1,171 ft (357 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	10,512
• Estimate  (2019)	9,982
• Density	1,350.20/sq mi (521.28/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	44833
Area code	419
FIPS code	39-29162
GNIS feature ID	1064699
Website	http://www.galion.city

Galion is a city in Crawford, Morrow, and Richland counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 10,512 at the 2010 census. Galion is the second-largest city in Crawford County after Bucyrus.

The Crawford County portion of Galion is part of the Bucyrus Micropolitan Statistical Area. The small portion of the city that is located in Richland County is part of the Mansfield Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the portion extending into Morrow County is considered part of the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Galion was laid out in 1831. The etymology of the name Galion is uncertain. A post office called Galion has been in operation since 1825.

Galion was the scene of a spectacle lynching. On Friday, April 28, 1882, Barbara Rettig accused Frank Fisher of raping her. On Sunday, April 30, 1882 a mob took Fisher, an African American, from Galion's jail and hanged him. They left Fisher's body on display for several days after the lynching. A newspaper correspondent at the scene reported a crowd of "at least two thousand people, men, women and children." He concluded his article on the lynching with this summation: "The lynching of Frank Fisher, In broad daylight, upon Sunday, by unmasked men, was one of the boldest affairs that has ever transpired in this county. While the affair is to be regretted the crime was such that he has not a particle of sympathy from anyone who has heard the particulars of the crime for which he has so dearly paid with his life."

Ohio Central Traction Company, an interurban line that connected the two communities of Bucyrus and Galion, developed Seccaium Park at the end of the Nineteenth Century.

Galion is home of The Galion Graders a member of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Baseball League. The GLSCBL is a wooden bat league for college athletes looking to further improve on their great skill. The Graders specifically focus on doing this while providing a fun, family oriented experience for its fans and their communities.

Geography

Galion is located in the southeastern corner of Crawford County at 40°43′59″N 82°47′19″W (40.733164, -82.788586).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.63 square miles (19.76 km²), of which 7.61 square miles (19.71 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

The Olentangy River begins near and runs through Galion, and then winds southward toward Columbus and eventually empties into the Scioto River.

Demographics

Galion's Municipal Building on Harding Way East, which houses the city's administrative offices as well as the police and fire departments.

Galion Public Library

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,966		—
1870	3,523		79.2%
1880	5,635		59.9%
1890	6,326		12.3%
1900	7,282		15.1%
1910	7,214		−0.9%
1920	7,374		2.2%
1930	7,674		4.1%
1940	8,685		13.2%
1950	9,952		14.6%
1960	12,650		27.1%
1970	13,123		3.7%
1980	12,424		−5.3%
1990	11,859		−4.5%
2000	11,341		−4.4%
2010	10,512		−7.3%
2019 (est.)	9,982		−5.0%
Sources:

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 10,512 people, 4,484 households, and 2,797 families living in the city. The population density was 1,381.3 inhabitants per square mile (533.3/km²). There were 5,192 housing units at an average density of 682.3 per square mile (263.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 4,484 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size as 2.89.

The median age in the city was 39.7 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,341 people, 4,791 households, and 3,090 families living in the city. The population density was 2,286.5 people per square mile (882.8/km²). There were 5,150 housing units at an average density of 1,038.3 per square mile (400.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.28% White, 0.22% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 4,791 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,513, and the median income for a family was $38,554. Males had a median income of $32,517 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,113. About 11.9% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.6% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Galion has a Mayor-Council government: it is governed by an elected city council and mayor. Thomas O’Leary has served as mayor since 2013.

Education

Galion High School, which opened in late 2007

The Galion City School District encompasses the entire city of Galion, graduating about 150 students annually. There are a handful of neighborhoods outside of Galion that are also included in the school district, including Blooming Grove. Galion High School serves students ranging from grades 9 through 12. The school colors are blue and orange and its athletic teams are known as the Tigers. The current high school building opened in 2007 following the demolition of the previous home of Galion High School on North Union Street.

The first Galion Union High School was built in 1868 on West Walnut Street and served as Galion High School until 1917. This building was demolished in 1924 and a new junior high school was built on the site in 1925, which was razed in April 2008. The second home of GHS was built in 1917 on the site of a former cemetery on North Union Street. This building was extended in 1962, adding features such as a large gymnasium. This building was in use until the end of the 2006–2007 school year, with the new Galion High School opening in late 2007.

Media

Galion and neighboring communities are served by a semi-weekly newspaper, the Galion Inquirer.

Transportation

"Big Four" train depot

The Erie Railroad also ran through Galion and established large rail yards here, making the city an important rail center. In April, 1851 the Cleveland Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad, later known as the "Big Four" and eventually the New York Central, began operating regular service between Columbus and Cleveland, stopping at Galion along the way. Prior to the end of the 19th century, Galion became a division headquarters for the line.

Galion once boasted two large railroad depots, the Big Four Depot on Washington Street, and the Erie Depot on South Market Street, which was torn down in 1986 due to its poor condition, after having served as a maintenance office for Conrail. With the move of the Erie yards to Marion in the 1910s, the railroads declined, although the city remained a passenger rail center into the 1960s. The Big Four Depot was abandoned; however, it has since been acquired by the City of Galion and is undergoing a slow but thorough restoration.

From 1915 to 1923, Galion was on the original route of the Lincoln Highway, America's first coast-to-coast route. In later years, however, the northern route was improved and became US 30 North, although until approximately 1970 the route through Galion was designated as US 30 South. The new, four-lane US 30 opened in 2005, and passes just north of town, giving the community excellent transportation access.

State routes in Galion include 309, which connects Marion to the southwest with Ontario to the east; 598, which originates in Galion and stretches northward; 19, which heads westward toward the county seat and also south toward Williamsport; 61, which goes south towards Morrow and Delaware Counties and north to Lake Erie, and 97, which goes east through Lexington.

Industry

Galion road grader

PECO II Offices in 2007

The Galion brand of heavy equipment, such as road graders, road rollers, and earthmovers, was manufactured by Galion Iron Works, later purchased by Dresser Industries and then by Komatsu.

Galion was once the home of Peabody Galion, a manufacturer of sanitation equipment, primarily dump bodies, as well as front loading, side-loading and rear loading garbage trucks; rivaling the Heil Company for numbers of units sold throughout the world. For a short time, in the early 1970s, Peabody Galion maintained a manufacturing plant in Durant, Oklahoma, known as "Peabody Galion, Durant Division".

Galion was also once home to North Electric Company, a prime supplier of telephone switching systems for government and international markets. It was also producer of the Ericofon, the first ever one-piece telephone designed by Ralph Lysell and Hugo Blomberg. Founded in 1884 by Charles N. North, the company became part of Ericsson in 1951. It was purchased by ITT in the mid-1970s and operated as ITT PowerSystems until the late 1980s, when it was sold to a private consortium and renamed PECO II (the name is derived from North Electric Company's purchase of Power Equipment Company (PECO) in 1960). Peco II purchased the telecommunications product line and associated assets from ITT in 1988. In 2010, PECO II was acquired by Lineage Power of Plano, Texas and has since closed the plant.

A&G Manufacturing

A & G Manufacturing Co., Inc. was founded by Arvin Shifley & Glen Shifley Sr. in 1971.  A&G Manufacturing is a family owned company and started out as a Job Shop facility with machining, welding, fabricating, and finish painting.  In 1975 the company built their first building which has had 5 expansions and is now called Plant 2.  In 1993 the company purchased what is now called Plant 1.  In 1996 the company purchased the Pettibone Mercury Tow Tractor line after fabricating and assembling the units for them for several years.

Covert Manufacturing

Covert Manufacturing is a woman-owned company specializing in precision machined products. The companies investment in modern equipment for lean manufacturing, coupled with their quality-conscious employees, enables them to provide value-added services to their customers.

Eagle Crusher

Eagle Crusher Company Incorporated is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of a complete line of heavy-duty impact crushers, portable crushing and screening plants, jaw crushers, and conveyors for the concrete, asphalt, aggregate, and recycle markets. The company provides innovative, quality products and exceptional aftermarket service and support. Eagle Crusher builds the #1 selling portable crushers in the world.

Flick Manufacturing Company

In business since the 1930’s, Flick Packaging has developed the art of making boxes for items of various sizes and shapes into something of a science.  Using systems and jigs born of decades of experience, thry fashion heavy-duty cargo containers or lightweight plywood dustcovers and literally everything in between. They manufacture packaging systems cost-effectively, in whatever size and volume necessary to fulfill customer specific requirements.  Flick Manufacturing state that their packaging containers and products can be seen serving military and industrial needs on six of the seven continents on earth.  With the recent conflicts in the Middle East the company is hard at work building boxes to supply armed forces with everything from armor to retrofit the Humvee fleet, Tents to keep troops out of the desert sand and munitions to keep tanks and planes lethal.

Galion LLC

Galion, a Juno company, is a 100,000+ sq/ft screw machine and CNC, ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer located in the heart of northwest Ohio. Since 1958, Galion has been the build-to-print source for screw machined parts for the Automotive, Commercial, and Defense Industries.

Urban Industries

Joe Urban was a Swiss immigrant who moved to Galion, Ohio from New York City prior to WWII. Although a commercial photographer by profession, Joe never stopped looking for the “right” opportunity. When Joe developed a self-supporting aluminum awning, he recognized this was his opportunity and formed Urban Industries to manufacture Urban Awnings. In 1949 Joe broke ground for a new factory which he subsequently expanded seven times during the 50’s. By 1957 Urban Industries employed over 60 people and Joe opened a second plant in Azuza, California. In 1963 Joe Urban died unexpectedly and Jacque Jones purchased Urban Industries.

In 1976 Ed Rieke and two partners purchased the struggling company. With careful attention to detail, frugal budgeting and hard work, they were able to turn the company around. As time passed it became apparent the partners did not share the same vision for Urban Industries. In 1981 a new Urban Industries emerged led by Ed Rieke, president and a compliment of good people.

Urban Industries has grown from a small accessory manufacturer for manufactured housing to an aggressive corporation willing to evaluate all opportunities. Slowly Urban Industries began to shift from manufactured housing to home improvement. In 1992 Urban opened its Ameribag division for the manufacturing and importing of bulk bags for material handling. In 1998 Urban Industries began stamping and fabricating parts for the appliance and transportation industries. In 2001, Ned Rieke, the son of Ed Rieke, joined his father to help lead Urban Industries for the next generation. Diversification of product lines is Urban’s goal.

In 2017, Ned Rieke, the current Vice President of Operations, was installed as President and CEO by the Board of Directors. He has been the acting President for the better part of the previous two years. He is taking over for his father who is pursuing other interests. As VP of Operations, he oversaw the day-to-day operations and was pivotal in guiding Urban through a transitioning economy. He was influential in securing national accreditation on the company’s major product lines. As customer focus changed, he led the way in adapting to the changes and spearheading new challenges. His youthful vigor helps energize and inspire those around him.

Notable people

• Julius H. Block, Minnesota State Treasurer, was born in Galion
• William Montgomery Brown, Episcopal clergyman and author, lived in Galion
• Florence Kling Harding, First Lady of the United States, lived in Galion with her first husband, Henry ("Pete") DeWolfe
• Henry David Lee, founder of the HD Lee Mercantile Company, inventors of Lee Jeans, lived in and operated a business in Galion
• Robert W. Morgan, radio personality, was from Galion
• Orville Nave, theologian and chaplain, was born in Galion
• Nate Reinking, professional basketball player for the British Basketball League and the Great Britain men's national basketball team; head coach in the NBA G League
• JB Shuck, professional baseball player in Major League Baseball, raised in Galion and attended Galion High School

External links

• Galion Historical Society
• City website