Perrysburg, Ohio

Perrysburg, Ohio is a city located in Wood County, near the Maumee River and Toledo. The city is situated about 12 miles southwest of Toledo, and is part of the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area. Perrysburg is close to several major highways, including Interstate 75 and Interstate 80, and is near the Toledo Express Airport and the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The city is also near several institutions of higher education, including the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.

Geography

Perrysburg is located at the confluence of the Maumee River and the Wabash Cannonball Trail, a former New York Central Railroad line that is now a National Recreation Trail. The city has a total area of 12.9 square miles, of which 12.0 square miles is land and 0.9 square miles is water, according to the United States Census Bureau. Perrysburg is situated near the Toledo Metroparks system, which includes several parks and nature preserves, such as the Secor Metropark and the Wildwood Preserve Metropark. The city is also close to the Lake Erie shoreline, which is part of the Lake Erie Islands region, and is near the Cedar Point amusement park.

History

Perrysburg was founded in 1816 by William Henry Harrison, a former United States Secretary of War and President of the United States, and was named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a United States Navy officer who played a key role in the War of 1812. The city was a major stopping point for travelers and traders during the 19th century, and was an important center for the Underground Railroad, with several notable abolitionists, including Harriet Beecher Stowe and John Brown, having ties to the area. Perrysburg is also near the site of the Battle of Fallen Timbers, a pivotal battle in the Northwest Indian War that was fought between the United States Army and a confederacy of Native American tribes, including the Miami tribe and the Shawnee tribe.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 20,623, according to the United States Census Bureau. The population is diverse, with a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees, and is close to several major employers, including the ProMedica health system, the University of Toledo, and the Owens Corning company. Perrysburg is also near several cultural attractions, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and the Valentine Theatre, which is a historic theater that hosts a variety of performances, including concerts by the Toledo Jazz Orchestra.

Economy

The economy of Perrysburg is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and education, and is close to several major industries, including the automotive industry, with companies such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company having facilities in the area. The city is also near several major retail centers, including the Franklin Park Mall and the Levis Commons, which is an outdoor shopping center that features a variety of stores and restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang's. Perrysburg is also home to several small businesses and startups, and is near several resources for entrepreneurs, including the University of Toledo's Center for Entrepreneurship and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Education

Perrysburg is served by the Perrysburg Schools district, which includes several highly-rated schools, such as Perrysburg High School and Fort Meigs Elementary School. The city is also near several institutions of higher education, including the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and Owens Community College, which offer a range of academic programs, including those in business administration at the University of Toledo College of Business Administration and nursing at the University of Toledo College of Nursing. Perrysburg is also close to several libraries, including the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and the Perrysburg Public Library, which offer a range of resources and services, including access to the OhioLINK consortium.

Government

Perrysburg is a charter city with a council-manager government, and is led by a city council and a city manager. The city is part of the Wood County government, and is represented in the Ohio General Assembly by the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. Perrysburg is also near the Toledo City Council and the Lucas County government, and is part of the Northwest Ohio region, which is represented by the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development Partnership and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The city is also close to several federal institutions, including the FBI's Cleveland Field Office and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Category:Cities in Ohio