Beyond its county seat, Richland County is a land rich in small communities. From rural to suburban, each town has its own personality and attractions worth a day trip....
Category: Communities
A Day in Plymouth: One Historic Town, Two Counties
The Village of Plymouth is one of the oldest communities in Richland County. A bit of an anomaly, the community of settlers sprang up along a military road and former Wyandot trail, now Ohio 603, in the early 1800s and grew into a village before Ohio’s official county lines were determined....
A Day in Mansfield: Where Roots Run Deep and Wide
Mansfield is a place whose personality, present and future, cannot be separated from its past. To truly know this city, you must first get acquainted with its history because Mansfield’s roots run deep and wide....
A Day in Shiloh: the Rich Land in Richland County
In Richland County, you don’t have to go far to get away from city life. If you follow Route 13 North out of the city of Mansfield, you’ll quickly leave behind the trappings of urban and suburban living. With the city in your rearview mirror, the beautiful tapestry of fields, farmland, and rolling hills of Shiloh unfolds before you. Ahead is a region of bounty and slow country living. You’ll see horses and buggies, clothes hanging out on the line, and farm stands filled with the pick of the day....
A Day in Lexington: A Growing Community of Families
Founded in 1812, Lexington has been known locally as “A Growing Community of Families” for a long time. A great place to raise a family; the Lexington Local School District is rated highly year after year and the village is ranked the 15th safest community in the US in the category of under 5,000 residents. What started out as a bedroom community, has grown out of that classification with the addition of businesses large and small. Lexington Mayor, Brian White says of the village: “We’re still a Community of Families, but it’s not just about us.” The Lexington community sees themselves as part of the diverse tapestry of communities across Richland County. “We have to work together to move Richland County Forward.”...
A Day in Butler: Life on the Edge of Mohican Country
If you’re looking to visit a local festival, take a hike in nature, or just enjoy the slower pace of life away from chain restaurants and big box stores, Butler is your destination. Nestled in the rolling hills of Southeast Richland County, the quiet Village of Butler sits in the picturesque Mohican and Clear Fork Valley. This peaceful bedroom community feels far from the hustle of modern life, but it’s only 23 minutes from downtown Mansfield....
A Day in Ontario: The Retail and Restaurant Hub of Richland County
While Ontario may be the retail and restaurant hub of Richland County, the community is more than just shopping and dining. Ontario doesn’t have a quintessential Main Street or a typical downtown area, but its people are community-minded, and community in Ontario happens at the park....
A Day in Bellville: The Quiet Life in The Valley
Life in Bellville is relational, laid-back, and full of hometown pride. Nestled in the Clear Fork Valley, the winding Clear Fork River bisects Main Street and “The Blue Bridge” over the river marks the start of downtown Bellville’s Victorian business fronts. Full of Midwestern charm and hospitality, the row of retail stores, service businesses, and restaurants ends a few blocks south at the village square where beautiful shade trees and an Italianate bandstand crown the sprawling green lawn....
A Day in Shelby: The Shelby Only Locals Know
The best way to experience Shelby, Ohio is to spend a day like a local. This city of under 10,000 people in northwestern Richland County is the perfect place to sample a slice of small-town life in the Midwest....
Photo Credit: Dave Dameron
A Day in Lucas, Ohio
Nestled in rolling hills of farmland and surrounded by some of Ohio’s best state parks, the village of Lucas bursts with local charm. ...