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Van Wert, OH

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Van Wert, OH

Van Wert is a city in and the county seat of Van Wert County, Ohio, United States. It is located in northwestern Ohio approximately 77 miles (124 km) southwest of Toledo and 34 miles (55 km) southeast of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The population was 11,092 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Van Wert micropolitan area, which is included in the Lima–Van Wert–Wapakoneta combined statistical area.

Van Wert is named for Isaac Van Wart, one of the captors of Major John André in the American Revolutionary War. A center of peony cultivation, Van Wert has hosted the annual Van Wert Peony Festival on and off since 1902. Van Wert is home to the first county library in the United States, the Brumback Library.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.61 square miles (19.71 km²), of which 7.33 square miles (18.98 km²) is land and 0.28 square miles (0.73 km²) is water.

Van Wert was surveyed in 1824 by Captain James Riley, who was contracted by the government to survey lands purchased from Native Americans under a treaty in 1818. It was incorporated as a town in 1848 and was chartered as a city in 1903. The town is located in an area originally known as the Black Swamp. Early pioneers had to deal with swampy ground, mud, and malaria. They persevered, draining the swamp for agriculture and eventually reclaiming enough dry land to establish the town. Van Wert was the birthplace of aviation pioneer Walter Hinton and the famous baritone Charles W. Clark.

At one point, Van Wert was the only place in the world producing Liederkranz cheese. This pungent dairy product was made at the now-closed Borden plant.

The people of Van Wert (400 of which called themselves "Cheesemakers") contributed to the town of Vimoutiers, Orne, Lower Normandy, France with help in the costs of reconstruction and reparation of the town after it was mistakenly bombed by the US Air Force during World War II. They volunteered to pay for the replacement of Marie Harel's statue in 1953. This is recorded by a plaque in the market square of Vimoutiers. Vimoutiers is a centre for local making of Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l'Évêque cheeses.

On November 10, 2002, an F4 tornado ripped through the town, killing two people. This was one of many tornado touchdowns during the 2002 Veterans Day Weekend tornado outbreak. Van Wert's emergency warning system is credited with saving many lives after several cars were thrown into a movie theatre that had been packed with people just minutes earlier.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Van Wert, with various resources and facilities available to support the well-being of residents. Van Wert - OhioHealth is the primary healthcare provider in the city, offering a range of medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and emergency services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Van Wert Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness and YMCA. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Van Wert, such as the Smiley Park to Richey Road and Van Wert Reservoir 1 and 2. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Van Wert, OH are the Van Wert County Historical Society, Willowbend, and Van Wert Civic Theatre.

Population: 11,063 (2022). ZIP Code: 45891. Area code: 419. Elevation: 778 ft (237 m). Area: 7.81 sq mi (20.23 km²).

FAQs

What is Van Wert, OH famous for?

Throughout the 20th Century, Van Wert was known as the Peony Capital of the world thanks to its large number of commercial peony farms. The Peony Festival originated in 1902 when the first Sunday in June was designated as "Peony Sunday". During the 1930s, the Festival became a major event with crowds estimated at over 100,000 people.

How old is Van Wert, OH?

The county was created in 1820 and was organized in 1837. Throughout the early 1800s, many communities came into existence in Van Wert County starting with the Village of Willshire in 1921 and the town of Van Wert in 1834. Growth was slow in these early years because it relied entirely on trails to bring people in. 

What is the poverty rate in Van Wert, OH?

In 2022, the median household income of Van Wert households was $51,412. Van Wert households made slightly more than Painesville households ($51,373) and Coal Grove households ($51,394). However, 11.1% of Van Wert families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Van Wert

Van Wert - OhioHealth

Van Wert Parks and Recreation Department 

Anytime Fitness 

YMCA

Smiley Park to Richey Road 

Van Wert Reservoir 1 and 2

Van Wert County Historical Society

Willowbend

Van Wert Civic Theatre

Van Wert Chamber

About Van Wert

Ohio Demographics

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