Historical Markers in
Hancock County, Ohio

Allen P. Dudley Bandshell Beneath the Surface Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Donnell Legacy Early Beginnings Elijah & Mellie Jones House Findlay and Beyond Findlay College First School Building Former Site of Mt. Blanchard Schools Fort Necessity Fort Necessity / William Hull Memorial Park George P. Jones Home Growing Pains Hancock County Courthouse Hancock County Veterans Memorial Historic Bell Tower Hull's Army Hull's Trail Independent Company Indian Green / McKinnis-Litzenberg Farmstead Indian Green Cemetery Veterans Memorial Johnny Appleseed Marathon & Speedway Marion Township School District #3 Marketing Petroleum Mason Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church McComb McComb First Presbyterian Church McComb Veterans Memorial Moving to Markets Mt. Blanchard / Johnny Appleseed Mt. Blanchard Veterans Memorial Mt. Blanchard Veterans Memorial Names Will Change Oesterlen Well Site / Old Mill Stream Fairgrounds Outstanding New Building, 1978 - 1979 Outstanding Renovated Building, 1980 - 1986 Rawson and the Railroads / Refineries Multiply Riverside Park / Old Mill Stream Robinson Bridge Schwartz Cemetery Veterans Memorial Shipwreck History Site of Fort Findlay St. JohnÂ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Michael Parish The Glass Industry of Findlay, Ohio The Great Karg Gas Well January 20 1886 The Ohio Oil Co - Marathon Oil Co / Gas Boom Era The Underground Railroad in Hancock County The University of Findlay The Village of McComb The Village of Van Buren This Historic Bridge Versatile Hydrocarbon Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Flagpole Veterans Memorial Water Tower Village of Arcadia / The Arcadia Heritage Village of Arlington / The Arlington Heritage War Savings Quota William Bensinger and John R. Porter William Ellsworth Hoy (1862-1961) Williamstown World War I and II Veterans Memorial
The Ohio State Reformatory, located in Mansfield, Ohio, is a famous prison that has been featured in several movies, including "The Shawshank Redemption." It was built in 1886 and operated until 1990.
Ohio random facts
Hancock County, Ohio is a county located in the northwestern part of the state. Its history dates back to the early 1800s when it was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Wyandot. European settlement began in the early 1820s, with pioneers from Pennsylvania and Virginia establishing towns such as Findlay, the county seat.

The county's development was greatly influenced by the discovery of oil and natural gas in the late 1800s. This led to an influx of industries and population growth, as people flocked to the area for employment opportunities. Findlay became known as the "Oil Capital of the World" due to its significant oil production, and this industry played a pivotal role in shaping the county's economic and cultural landscape.

Over the years, Hancock County has experienced periods of prosperity and challenges. During World War II, the county's manufacturing sector boomed as it supported the war effort. After the war, the county continued to diversify its economy, with manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare becoming prominent industries.

Hancock County has also seen its fair share of cultural and community development. It is home to the University of Findlay, which was established in 1882 and has since become an integral part of the county's educational system. The county also boasts various parks, museums, and historical landmarks, preserving its rich heritage and providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Today, Hancock County continues to thrive as a vibrant and growing community with a strong sense of history and progress.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hancock County, Ohio.

  • 1820 - Hancock County is established
  • 1833 - The county seat is relocated from Findlay to Fostoria
  • 1834 - The first courthouse is built in Findlay
  • 1845 - The Findlay and Western Railroad is completed, connecting Findlay to other cities
  • 1863 - The Civil War impacts the county, with numerous residents serving in the Union Army
  • 1881 - Oil is discovered in the county, leading to an economic boom
  • 1893 - Floods devastate Findlay and the surrounding areas
  • 1905 - The Findlay Publishing Company is founded
  • 1920 - The discovery of natural gas brings another economic boom to the county
  • 1950 - The population of Hancock County reaches its peak at over 80,000 residents
  • 1973 - The Hancock Historical Museum is established
  • 2007 - The Marathon Petroleum Corporation, a major employer in the county, is formed