Funk, Ohio facts for kids

Where Funk, Ohio, is located on a map.

Funk is a small community in Ohio, United States. It's located in Wayne County. Funk is what's called an "unincorporated community." This means it's not officially a city or a town, so it doesn't have its own local government. Because of this, the government doesn't keep track of how many people live there.

The Story of Funk

Funk has an interesting history with different names and how it grew.

How Funk Got Its Name

Funk started as a very small village, also known as a hamlet. In 1894, it was officially planned out and named Austen. But before that, people called it Kauffman Corners. Both the names Kaufman, Funk, and Austen came from local families. These families had owned land in the area for many years.

The community started to grow in the late 1890s. This happened when a part of the A&W Railroad was built. The railroad connected Big Prairie to Ashland in 1899. At that time, there was already another village named Austin, Ohio. To avoid confusion, the community's name was changed to Funk. It was named after a local family who lived and farmed there.

Businesses and Life in Funk

Before World War I, a large building called a grain elevator was built in Funk. A grain elevator is used to store grain, like corn or wheat, before it's shipped out. This elevator changed owners several times. It eventually became known as the Funk Equity Union Co.

Later, a man named William "D" Funk owned the grain elevator. He also owned the successful general store in the village. A general store sells many different kinds of goods. D Funk inherited the store from his father, Zenas, between 1895 and 1910. The general store stayed open for many years but finally closed in 1986. The grain elevator stopped operating in 1957.

Funk was once home to several other businesses too. There were two blacksmiths, who worked with metal. There was also a scrap dealer, a butcher, and several barbers. A unique business was The Black Jack Factory, which made makeshift automobile jacks. The community also had an ice house and a gravel pit. In the 1980s, a company called Austin Disposal had its main office in Funk.

The Church in Funk

The only church in Funk was a Methodist church. It was actually built just across the line in Ashland County. Later, the church building was moved into Funk and changed into a home. Sadly, this building was destroyed in a fire in 1940. After the fire, people from Funk went to the Maple Grove Methodist Church instead.

Why the Name is a Mystery

For people who aren't from the area, the origin of Funk's name can be a bit confusing. This is because the exact reasons for the name changes were never officially written down in public records.

Where is Funk?

Funk is located in the southwestern part of Plain Township. You can find it where South Funk Road meets State Route 95. It is southwest of Wooster, which is the main city in Wayne County.