A Look Around My Hometown

Northwest Ohio (and a little toward the central area) lies a small city along the banks of the Sandusky River.  The area has been my hometown all my life.  (I did live about 30 miles north in the neighboring county for 9 1/2 years.)  Upper Sandusky is located in Wyandot County - the site of the last Wyandotte Indian tribe in Ohio.  In fact, the Wyandotte Indians were very influential in the history of the area.  The name - Upper Sandusky - was for the settlement near the "upper" end of the Sandusky River.  We are confused with Sandusky, Ohio, which is located on the shores of Lake Erie and famous for the Cedar Point Amusement Park - some 65 miles to our north and east. 

Primarily a farming community, Upper Sandusky and Wyandot County are known for the furtile land.

  The family farm is more of the norm than big corporate farms.  Many generations have owned and farmed the same land.  Corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay and straw are the main cash crops with some farmers raising hogs, steer, sheep, and other small animals for their livelihood.  It is a common sight for tractors and combines to pass through the downtown area!

Many people in the area are employed at the industries in the area.  Two major companies are suppliers to Honda of America.  There are other industries in the area with ties to the automotive manufacturers, plastic companies, and so many other smaller firms.  The area offers many existing buildings available for expansion in this area.  There is easy access to north/south and east/west major highways making the area attractive for development.

 

The area is deep in history.  As mentioned before, the Wyandotte Indian tribe settled in this area because of the furtile soil, temperate climate, availability of wild game, and access to the river.  These early inhabitants prospered in this area and fought for rights with several Indian tribes also seeking to settle here.  John Stewart brought Christianity to the Wyandots and established for Upper Sandusky the First American Methodist Mission in America.  The Old Mission Church is still used for summer services today. 

Wyandot County was established in 1845, two years after the Wyandot Tribe was forced to leave for a reservation in Kansas.  This marked the departure of Ohio's last organized Native American tribe.  The incorporation of Upper Sandusky occurred in 1848 and the town became the county seat.