Galion, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Galion, Ohio
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The Galion Theatre located on Harding Way West in uptown Galion
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Location of Galion in Crawford County
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 Galion, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Galion, Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Counties | Crawford, Morrow, Richland |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| 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 | 1,165 ft (355 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,453 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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10,293 |
| • Density | 1,413.91/sq mi (545.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
44833
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| Area code(s) | 419 |
| FIPS code | 39-29162 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1085937 |
| Website | http://www.galion.city |
Galion is a city in Ohio, a state in the United States. It is located across three different counties: Crawford, Morrow, and Richland. In 2020, about 10,453 people lived in Galion. It is the second-largest city in Crawford County, right after Bucyrus.
Galion is part of a few different areas. The part in Crawford County is near Bucyrus. A small part in Richland County is close to the Mansfield metropolitan area. The part that reaches into Morrow County is considered part of the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area.
Contents
History of Galion
The land where Galion is now was first home to Native American tribes. The first European settlers, Benjamin Leveridge and his two sons, arrived in 1817. A few years later, in 1820, William Hosford and his sons, Asa and Horace, also settled nearby.
The city of Galion was officially planned out in 1831. Before that, the area was known by many names like Moccasin and Goshen. In 1824, the town asked for a post office using the name Goshen. However, the postmaster general, John McLean, changed the name to Galion because there was already a town called Goshen in Ohio. No one is quite sure where the name Galion came from! The post office has been open since 1825.
Asa Hosford is often called the "Father of Galion." He worked as a state lawmaker and helped bring a railroad line through the area. This important railroad was finished in 1851, helping the town grow.
Geography and Rivers
Galion is located in the southeastern part of Crawford County. The city covers about 7.63 square miles (19.76 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Galion is special because it sits just south of a continental divide. This means that water on one side flows in one direction, and water on the other side flows in a different direction. The Olentangy River starts near Galion and flows south towards Columbus. It eventually joins the Scioto River, which then flows into the Ohio River and finally the Mississippi River.
However, Lake Galion, which is just north of the city, is part of a different water system. Its water flows into the Sandusky River watershed. This water then drains into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, eventually reaching the Saint Lawrence River.
Galion's Population
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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% | |
| 2020 | 10,453 | −0.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 10,293 | −2.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Galion has changed over the years. In 2020, the census counted 10,453 people living in the city. This was a small decrease from the 10,512 people counted in 2010.
In 2010, there were 10,512 people and 4,484 households in Galion. About 30.8% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was about 39.7 years old.
Galion's Economy
Galion has been home to several important companies over the years.
The "Galion" brand of heavy machines, like road graders and rollers, was made by a company called Galion Iron Works. This company was later bought by Dresser Industries and then by Komatsu.
Galion was also home to Peabody Galion. This company made equipment for sanitation, such as dump trucks and garbage trucks. For a short time in the 1970s, they even had another factory in Oklahoma.
Another important company was North Electric Company. They made telephone switching systems for governments and other countries. They also produced the Ericofon, which was the first telephone designed all in one piece. North Electric Company later became part of Ericsson, then ITT, and finally PECO II. The PECO II plant in Galion closed in 2010.
Arts and Culture in Galion
Galion has many ways for people to enjoy arts and culture.
Community Organizations
The Galion Community Theatre (GCT) started in 1972. It's a key part of the city's culture, showing plays and musicals with local actors. The theater is in a historic building downtown. It offers many different shows throughout the year, including plays for children.
The GCT also teaches people about theater. They host workshops and classes for all ages, helping aspiring actors and crew members. They are especially good at helping young people get involved in live theater. The theater helps bring the community together by offering a place for people to socialize and volunteer. They also work with local businesses and host special events.
The Galion History Center works to save and share the history of Galion. It is located in several old buildings, including the Brownella Cottage and the Galion Historical Museum. These places show visitors what the community's past was like. The Brownella Cottage is a Victorian-era home built in 1887 for Bishop William Montgomery Brown, an important person in Galion's history. The center offers tours and has exhibits, old documents, and collections that show how Galion has changed over time. They also have educational programs and community events.
Fun Festivals
Galion hosts several fun festivals throughout the year!
The Pickle Run Festival started in 1961. The story goes that a grocer used to dump old pickles into the Whetstone Creek, and they would "run" through the creek. This festival includes a 5k race, a car show, a watermelon diving competition, carnival rides, and food. The festival stopped for a while but was brought back by volunteers in 2015. It is now held on the Fourth of July weekend.
The Galion Oktoberfest began in 1976. It's the city's fall festival and takes place on the last weekend of September in the Uptowne Business District. This three-day event has carnival rides, vendors, and live music.
Depot Days is an annual event at the Big Four Depot in Galion. It celebrates the city's rich railroad history. Visitors can explore the restored depot, which was once a busy train station. The event usually has tours of the depot, model train displays, live music, and food. Guests can learn about Galion's role in railroad history.
Third Friday in Galion is a monthly event held in Uptowne Galion during the warmer months. It features live music, local food, arts and crafts, and other activities.
Come Home to Galion is a yearly holiday tradition. It takes place in Uptowne Galion in late November or early December and includes many holiday activities and entertainment.
Historic Places to See
The Adam Howard House was the home of the person who started the Galion Buggy Company. This large, 7,200-square-foot house was built in 1898. It has big pillars on the front porch and beautiful carved stairs. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The Brownella Cottage and Grace Episcopal Church and Rectory is a historic church complex. It is important because of its connection to Bishop William Montgomery Brown. The cottage is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture.
The Central Hotel is made up of three buildings. These buildings are all that remain from Galion's big business growth in the 1860s. The Central Hotel was added to the National Historic Registry in 1976. It has since been renovated and now provides affordable housing for seniors.
The Hessenauer Cabin was built around 1835 near Galion. This old log cabin is now located at Cedar Point's Frontier Trail, where it serves as a Candle Shop. Visitors can buy candles and even make their own. It's one of the few real historic buildings at Cedar Point.
The Hosford House was built in 1892 by Asa Hosford, who is known as the "Father of Galion." It was added to the National Historic Registry in 1976.
Galion is also home to four Lustron homes. These are special houses made entirely of metal panels between 1948 and 1950. They were designed to be strong and easy to care for, helping with the housing shortage after World War II. These homes are important examples of mid-century modern design.
Education in Galion
Galion has good schools and a public library.
Public Schools
The Galion City School District serves all of Galion and some nearby neighborhoods. About 150 students graduate from Galion High School each year. Galion High School teaches students from 9th to 12th grade. The school colors are blue and orange, and their sports teams are called the Tigers. The current high school building opened in late 2007.
The first Galion Union High School was built in 1868. It was used until 1917. A new junior high school was built on that site in 1925. The second high school building was built in 1917 and was used until 2007.
Galion Public Library
The Galion Public Library officially opened on April 28, 1904. It was designed by Vernon Redding, a famous architect. The idea for the library came from a women's group called The Current News Club. They worked hard to raise money and get a public library for Galion.
In 1898, a state law made it mandatory for towns of Galion's size to have a library. The Current News Club then created the Galion Public Library Association in 1901. They bought the land where the library is now, which had an old log house on it. This log house was one of the oldest buildings in the city and had even been an early schoolhouse. It became a "reading room" but quickly became too small.
In 1902, the association asked Andrew Carnegie for money to build a new library. He approved $15,000, and the city council agreed to support the library each year.
Media in Galion
Galion has its own newspaper and radio station.
The Galion Inquirer is a newspaper that comes out twice a week and serves Galion and nearby towns. The city's very first newspaper was called The District Democrat, started in 1855. It was later sold and renamed The Galion Train.
Galion's radio station is 102.3 The Fox. It plays classic rock music from the 1960s to the 1990s, featuring bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. The station also shares local news, community updates, and sports, especially high school sports.
Galion's Infrastructure
Galion has important services like healthcare and transportation.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare in Galion is mainly provided by local clinics and hospitals. Avita Health System runs Avita Galion Hospital, which offers emergency care, surgeries, and other medical services. Avita is a major healthcare provider in the area, with other locations nearby. The hospital is very important for both everyday and urgent medical needs in Galion.
Galion also has many clinics and specialists for things like family medicine, physical therapy, and mental health. For more specialized treatments, people can go to larger medical centers in nearby cities.
Transportation and Roads
The Erie Railroad also ran through Galion and had large rail yards here, making the city an important center for trains. In 1851, the Cleveland Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad, later known as the "Big Four," started regular service between Columbus and Cleveland, with a stop in Galion. By the late 1800s, Galion became a main office for this train line.
Galion once had two large train stations. The Big Four Depot served passenger trains until 1971. The Erie Depot was used until 1970 and was torn down that same year. Even though the railroads became less busy, Galion remained a place where passenger trains stopped until the 1960s. The Big Four Depot was left empty for a while, but the City of Galion is now working to restore it.
From 1915 to 1923, Galion was on the original route of the Lincoln Highway. This was America's first road that went from one coast to the other. Later, a new four-lane road, US 30, opened just north of town in 2005. This gives Galion great access to transportation.
Several state routes also pass through Galion. These include Route 309, which connects to Marion and Ontario. Route 598 starts in Galion and goes north. Route 19 goes west towards the county seat and south. Route 61 goes south towards Morrow and Delaware Counties and north to Lake Erie. Finally, Route 97 goes east through Lexington.
Notable People from Galion
Many interesting people have come from Galion, Ohio, including:
- Logan Bartholomew, an actor
- William Montgomery Brown, a religious leader and author
- Florence Kling Harding, who was the First Lady of the United States
- Henry David Lee, who started the company that makes Lee Jeans
- Nate Reinking, a professional basketball player
- Bob Schnelker, a professional football player in the National Football League
- JB Shuck, a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball
Images for kids
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Galion road grader
See also
In Spanish: Galion (Ohio) para niños
