MARY JO SWARTZ

Toledo is a beautiful city in Ohio named after Toledo, Spain. The “ Buckeye State” is found within the Great Lakes Region on the western end of Lake Erie. By the 2000 census, Toledo had a population of 313,619, making it the fourth-largest in the state. Today, Toledo is the county seat of Lucas County. The city of Toledo itself is home to world-class venues and attractions, inviting visitors from all over year round. Also, with a variety of delectable eateries and a wide array of shopping, Toledo is the place to be. Come and see for yourself or please visit Toledo’s official website at: http://www.ci.toledo.oh.us/.

History

Toledo was finally incorporated in 1836 after numerous conflicts with the Native Americans who inhabited the area. The area that Toledo was founded on was the site of a former stockade called Fort Industry and two separate towns named Lawrence and Vistula. However, when the Wabash and Erie Canal was mapped out in 1836, the two towns located at the termination point merged to form Toledo. When the canal finally opened in 1845, Toledo grew into a rapidly evolving seaport.

When railroads began to emerge as a key form of transportation in Ohio in the second half of the nineteenth century, Toledo became a destination for a number of railroad lines. In addition, a number of industries began to emerge in the city, including furniture companies, carriage makers, breweries, railroad manufacturing companies, and glass companies, among others. The Libbey Glass Works was located in Toledo and helped to make the community known as the "City of Glass." By 1880, Toledo boasted a population of more than fifty thousand people, making it one of the largest cities in the state.

Many immigrants began to settle in Toledo by the late nineteenth century, attracted to the city because of the number of jobs available and the city's accessibility by rail and by water. However, Toledo was home to many of the problems associated with urban life during this time. Toledo became the target of Progressive reformers in the late 1800s, including the town's mayor, Samuel M. "Golden Rule" Jones, who was elected in 1897. During his time in office, Jones worked to improve conditions for the working class people of his community. The mayor opened free kindergartens, built parks, instituted an eight-hour day for city workers, and did much to reform the city government. Although Jones was not very popular among businessmen and the wealthier members of Toledo society, he was very popular with the average citizens and was reelected as mayor for three additional terms. Jones died in office in 1904, and his successor continued his reform efforts.

Toledo continued to grow, both in terms of population and industry, in the early twentieth century. As World War II began, however, Toledo's industries began to focus on wartime production, and the unemployment concerns of the Great Depression disappeared. Toledo made a unique contribution to the war effort by producing jeeps in 1941. To learn all this and more about Toledo’s rich history, please visit their official website at: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=808.

Attractions

Home to a wide variety of attractions for all ages and interests, Toledo boasts some of the unique attractions around. From having the first zoo to feature a a hippoquarium-style exhibit to providing a home for The Veterans' Glass City Skyway over the Maumee River, there’s nothing like a visit to Toledo. The Willis B. Boyer is a former Cleveland-Cliffs lake freighter open to the public as a museum, located at International Park, across from downtown Toledo along the Maumee River, while The Old West End is a historic neighborhood of Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and other Edwardian style houses recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Come and see the beautiful Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral or visit The Mansion View Inn, which is listed on the Department of Interior’s National Historical Register. For the more unique, visit Tony Packo's Café, located in the Hungarian neighborhood on the east side of Toledo known as Birmingham, featuring hundreds of hot dog buns signed by celebrities. For these and more of Toledo’s attractions, please visit: http://www.toledo.com/area-directory/toledo-ohio-attractions/.

Parks & Recreation

Toledo is home to an excellent Metro Park system that features an extensive nature trail for hiking, walking and/or riding your bike. The Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Aera owns and operates more than 100 parks covering more than 6,879 acres. To learn this and more information about Toledo’s parks and recreation, please visit: http://www.toledo.com/real-estate/relocate-to-toledo-ohio/.

Calendar of Events

The city of Toledo is always brimming with fun new event for you to be a part of. Below you will find a link that will take you directly to Toledo’s official calendar of events where you can be sure to find something for every age and interest. http://www.toledo.com/events/