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Swanton, Ohio
Village
SwantonMainStreet-snow.jpg Downtown Swanton, Ohio.JPG
Top: Downtown Swanton, looking south
Bottom: Downtown Swanton, looking north.
Motto(s): 
"Honoring the past - Committed to the future!"
Location of Swanton, Ohio
Location of Swanton, Ohio
Location of Swanton in Fulton County
Location of Swanton in Fulton County
Country United States
State Ohio
Counties Fulton, Lucas
Townships Fulton, Swan Creek, Swanton
Area
 • Total 3.44 sq mi (8.90 km2)
 • Land 3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
666 ft (203 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,897
 • Density 1,146.85/sq mi (442.80/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
43558
Area code(s) 419
FIPS code 39-75896
GNIS feature ID 2399940

Swanton is a village located in Ohio, a state in the United States. It is found in both Fulton and Lucas counties. In 2020, about 3,897 people lived there. The village covers a total area of about 8.90 square kilometers (3.44 square miles).

History of Swanton

Swanton got its name from a nearby stream called Swan Creek. The first post office in the area opened way back in 1827.

Swanton's Industrial Past

In the early 1900s, when steam engines were very important, Swanton was home to a company called the A. D. Baker Company. This company made large steam-powered machines used for farming and road building.

An employee named Gifford had an idea for a better way to control steam engines. This idea was developed into something called the Baker valve gear. It was patented in 1903. Another Swanton business, The Pilliod Company, later made this special valve gear. It was used on many steam locomotives (trains) across the U.S. in the first half of the 20th century.

Important Events in Swanton

Swanton has experienced a few notable events. On February 15, 1992, a plane crash involving Air Transport International Flight 805 happened in Swanton. Sadly, all four people on board passed away.

More recently, on June 6, 2019, a car left on the train tracks caused a train to derail. This accident knocked out power for much of the town. It also stopped train traffic on a major railway line connecting the Midwest to the East Coast.

Where is Swanton? (Geography)

Swanton is a village with a total area of about 8.11 square kilometers (3.13 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Who Lives in Swanton? (Demographics)

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 335
1890 508 51.6%
1900 887 74.6%
1910 1,058 19.3%
1920 1,248 18.0%
1930 1,505 20.6%
1940 1,594 5.9%
1950 1,740 9.2%
1960 2,306 32.5%
1970 2,927 26.9%
1980 3,424 17.0%
1990 3,557 3.9%
2000 3,307 −7.0%
2010 3,690 11.6%
2020 3,897 5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 3,690 people living in Swanton. They lived in 1,409 households. The village had about 1,498 housing units.

Most of the people in Swanton were White (97.1%). About 3.5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Swanton was 38 years old. About 26% of residents were under 18. Around 13.9% were 65 years or older.

Fun Things to Do in Swanton (Parks and Recreation)

Swanton has several parks where you can relax and play.

  • Swanton Memorial Park is home to a special statue called the "Spirit of the American Doughboy". This statue honors soldiers from World War I. It was given as a gift from France to U.S. cities that lost many soldiers. The statue shows a World War I soldier moving through a battlefield. It was put in place in 1926.
  • Memorial Park has many sports facilities. You can find several baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and sand volleyball courts. There are also tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. Playgrounds are available for younger kids. Ai Creek runs through this park. The land for the park was given by the McNeill family.
  • Pilliod Park is located next to the Swanton Public Library. It features Swanton's red caboose, which is a special train car. The park also has several gazebos and a paved walking path. During the winter holidays, Pilliod Park is decorated with festive lights.
  • Rotary Park is a smaller park connected to Pilliod Park.
  • Oak Openings Metropark is a large park that partly extends into Swanton. It includes cool attractions like The Cannaley Treehouse Village. This park also has much of the Beach Ridge mountain bike trail.

Learning in Swanton (Education)

Public schools in Swanton are managed by the Swanton Local School District. For those who prefer a private school, St. Richard Catholic School is an option. The Swanton Public Library is where residents can borrow books and other materials.

Events and Art in Swanton (Arts and Culture)

Swanton hosts several fun events throughout the year.

  • Swanton Corn Festival happens every August. This festival includes a parade, a volleyball competition, and a singing contest. There's also a car show, lots of food, and other fun activities. It's also when the annual high school reunion takes place.
  • Swanton Fine Art Exhibit is held each year at the Valleywood Golf Club. It showcases beautiful artworks.
  • Swanton Art Walk and the Swanton Downtown Market started in 2022. These events feature various artists and vendors.

Famous People from Swanton

Some notable people who have connections to Swanton include:

  • Roy Beecher, a professional baseball pitcher.
  • Emerson Cole, an NFL football player.
  • Karl Koepfer, another NFL football player.
  • Richard B. McQuade Jr., a lawyer and federal judge.
  • Paul Schudel, a college football player and coach.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Swanton (Ohio) para niños

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