Donna Meyers Glyda, ABR

Toledo Area Guide

Toledo is located on the northern border of Ohio and the western end of Lake Erie. Toledo is the county seat of Lucas County and is the principal city in the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, Toledo had an approximate population of 314,000, making it the fourth largest city in Ohio. Known as “The Glass Capital of the World,” Toledo has a long history of innovation in many aspects of the glass industry. The city sits along the banks of the Maumee River, just north of what was once the Great Black Swamp, giving way to its other nickname, “Frog Town.”

History
The area was first settled by Americans in 1794, after the Battle of Fallen Timbers. However with the War of 1812, many settlers left the area. Resettling began again around 1817 when a Cincinnati syndicate purchased a 974-acre tract at the mouth of Swan Creek and named it Port Lawrence. Immediately to the north of that another syndicate founded the town of Vistula.

In 1825, the Ohio state legislature authorized the construction of Miami and Erie Canal. The canal's purpose was to connect Cincinnati to Lake Erie because at that time no highways existed in the state. During the canal’s planning phase, many small towns along the northern shores of Maumee River competed to be the ending terminus of the canal knowing it would give them a profitable status. The towns of Port Lawrence and Vistula merged in 1833 to better compete against the towns of Waterville, Maumee and Manhattan.

The inhabitants of this joined settlement chose the name Toledo. Despite Toledo’s efforts, the final terminus was decided to be built in Manhattan a half mile to the north of the Toledo because it was closer to the lake. As a compromise, the state placed two side cuts before the terminus, one in Toledo at Swan Creek and another in Maumee.
Toledo was very slow to expand in its first two decades of existence. Its very first lot was sold in the Port Lawrence section of the city in 1833. It held 1,205 persons in 1835. Settlers came and went quickly through Toledo and between 1833 and 1836. Completion of the canal and its additional side cut entrance finally occurred in Toledo in 1843. Soon after the canal was functional, the canal boats became too large to use the shallow waters at the terminus in Manhattan, and soon more boats began using the Swan Creek side cut rather than its official ending. This quickly put the Manhattan warehouses out of business and triggered a stampede to move business to Toledo.
In the last half of the 19th century, railroads slowly began to replace canals as the major form of transportation. Toledo soon became a hub for several railroad companies as well as being a hotspot for many other industries such as furniture production, carriage makers, breweries, glass companies and others. At this time, a large number of immigrants came to the area attracted by the many factory jobs available and the city's easy accessibility. By 1880, Toledo was one of the largest cities in Ohio.

Parks and Recreation
The Toledo Department of Neighborhoods, Division of Recreation provides programs, facilities and events to enhance the quality of life for all of residents and visitors of the area. The department maintains an ice rink, many marinas and beautiful parks for everyone’s enjoyment.
Attractions and Activities

The Toledo area is home to many excellent attractions that will keep you and your family occupied throughout the year. Come visit the Toledo Botanical Garden, the zoo, one of the many museums and much more.

Toledo Botanical Garden
http://www.toledogarden.org/
A museum for plants, Toledo Botanical Garden offers visitors the opportunity to share, discover and enjoy nature's beauty. With over sixty acres of display gardens and relevant plant collections, Toledo Botanical Garden is full of beauty, tranquility and opportunities for exploration and reflection.

Toledo Valentine Theatre
http://www.valentinetheatre.com/
The Toledo Cultural Arts Center is a non profit organization. It produces and provides cultural and performing arts experiences for diverse audiences of all ages, to enhance the quality of the cultural and economic life of the City of Toledo, Lucas County, Northwestern Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

Toledo Zoo
http://www.toledozoo.org/
With over 6,000 animals representing over 760 species, The Toledo Zoo is one of the world’s most complete zoos. Let The Toledo Zoo take you from the Arctic tundra to the wilds of Africa, from the tropical rainforest to the Sonoran Desert and all points between…all in one great day.

Toledo Museum of Art
http://www.toledomuseum.org/
The Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of their collection, their innovative and extensive education programs, and their architecturally significant campus. More than 30,000 works of art represent American and European painting, the history of art in glass, ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, Asian and African art, medieval art, sculpture, decorative arts, graphic arts, and modern and contemporary art.

Toledo Metroparks
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/
Metroparks of the Toledo Area is a public agency serving the citizens of Lucas County by providing a regional system of clean, safe, natural parks.
Metroparks preserves many of the region's most significant natural areas, from the Oak Openings to the Lake Erie coastal zone, and green corridors along the Maumee River, Ottawa River and Swan Creek.

Toledo Symphony
http://www.toledosymphony.com/
For the 65th consecutive season, the Toledo Symphony will bring music to the regions of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Performances take place in classrooms, concert halls, churches, auditoriums, senior centers, and theatres in nearly 100 communities in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In its commitment to provide excellent music to the largest possible audience, the Toledo Symphony remains an essential force in the quality of life throughout the region.

The Toledo Farmers’ Market
http://www.toledofarmersmarket.org/
The Toledo Ohio Farmers' Market thrives because of the need for quality, home-grown produce, which is available here. Along with farm fresh produce, The Market also provides quality poultry products, fresh baked goods, herbs, fresh cut flowers, all types of plants, fruit and cider, handmade crafts, and gourmet food items.

Events

The Toledo area offers many exciting events for you to choose from throughout the year. Come participate in the Gray Wolves 5K, the Gibsonburg Fishing Derby, one of the many festivals and much, much more. You’ll never be bored in Toledo with so much to do!

Gray Wolves 5K
Funds raised through the Gray Wolves 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Dr. Robert Turek Endowed Student Scholarship, awarded to students based upon leadership skills, merit and need. Dr. Turek is a familiar face at Lourdes College who served as Vice President for Student Services since 1994 before retiring in April of 2008.

Gibsonburg Fishing Derby
Come and experience the appreciation of the great outdoors, baiting your hook and catching your fish. Bring the kids for a fun family outing. Prizes will be awarded by age group for the first fish caught, the largest fish and the second largest fish caught.

37th Annual Historic Old West End Festival
The 37th Annual Historic Old West End Festival truly has a community feel that no other local event can provide. The elegant Old West End is one of Toledo's most historically significant neighborhoods and provides a great backdrop for this annual favorite, which celebrates the finest in art, music and food all in the museum's backyard. With hundreds of artists works on display, plan to spend at least a whole day exploring the fun.

Old-Fashioned 4th of July
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than at Ohio's largest living-history village! Come celebrate for a day filled with special activities from hand-cranked ice cream and old-fashioned games, to a reading of the Declaration of Independence and patriotic songs being played on the reed organ.

Ohio's South of the Border Festival
The Ohio’s South of the Border Festival offers fun for everyone, including music, dancing, food, crafts, fellowship, fun, rides, contests and networking with agencies, organizations and peers! The Ohio's South of the Border Festival is the Perrysburg Heights Community Association's most publicized fundraiser each year. The festival is always the second weekend in August and designed to allow all advocates and patrons to enjoy themselves as well as financially contribute to the association's programs.

Downtown Holiday Parade
The spirit of the holidays comes alive each November as the Holiday Parade takes to the streets of downtown Toledo. Thousands will line the route to watch as clowns, magical floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and elegant equestrian units transform the parade route into a winter wonderland. This community event has warmed hearts and generated smiles throughout the years. Each year, a special early visit from Santa Claus delights the crowd and kicks-off the holiday season.