Marengo, Lucas County, Ohio facts for kids
Marengo was once a small town in Lucas County, Ohio, in the U.S. state of Ohio. It was located in Adams Township, which used to be west of Toledo and is now part of the city. Marengo is known as a "ghost town" because it no longer exists as a separate community.
Why Was Marengo Founded?
In the spring of 1836, a group of nineteen men bought two large pieces of land for $40,000. This was a lot of money back then! They planned to build a new town called Marengo. They even drew out about 500 building lots for homes and businesses. The people who started Marengo hoped it would be an important stop along the Wabash and Erie Canal, which was a big waterway for trade and travel.
Why Did Marengo Disappear?
Even though the founders had big plans, Marengo did not grow as quickly as they hoped. The town struggled to attract enough people and businesses. By 1838, just two years after it was founded, Marengo was abandoned. It became a ghost town, meaning people moved away and the town stopped existing.
Where Was Marengo Located?
The land where Marengo was supposed to be is now part of modern-day Toledo, Ohio. You can find this area roughly between Sherwood Avenue to the north, South Byrne Road to the southwest, and the Maumee River to the southeast. Even though the town is gone, its name lives on! There's a Marengo Street in southwest Toledo and an island called Marengo Island in the Maumee River. These names help us remember the town that once was.