OTTAWA COUNTY
County Offices
315 Madison Street
Port Clinton 419-734-6710
www.co.ottawa.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
110 Madison Street
Port Clinton 419-734-5503
www.portclintonchamber.com
Ottawa County is located on Lake Erie fifteen miles southeast of Toledo. Port Clinton is the only city in the county and is the county seat.
Services
State-of-the-art healthcare services are available close to home for residents of Ottawa County, anchored by regional hospitals and medical facilities, anchored by Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton. The hospital has several regional centers located throughout the county. Students are able to receive a quality education in respected public school districts or one of the region’s private schools. An excellent pupil-teacher ratio, dedicated staff members, modern classrooms, and abundant opportunities for extracurricular involvement characterize the local school districts. Higher education is available through the Ohio State University Extension, which offers several degree programs and opportunities for local education.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Ottawa County will find themselves immersed in warm and comfortable memories of days gone by, where families spent Sunday afternoon picking fresh apples and making homemade pie. Many of the communities in this tranquil and panoramic region were built around charming town squares with the draw of Lake Erie ever present in the fabric of the community.
The county’s Park District works diligently to preserve and maintain the area’s bounty of natural beauty, ensuring recreational sites that sprawl over open parks and preserves. The district also offers hundreds of programs and activities that appeal to every age group and interest, including outdoor exploration and nature education programs. Some of the other popular pastimes in this beautiful region are shopping for antiques, playing golf on championship courses, fishing and boating. Not far from home, water-sport enthusiasts will find rivers for kayaking and canoeing. And the vast shoreline and central location of the Lake Erie Islands Region showcases quaint towns that offer unique adventures, whether on shore, on an island, or inland where the countryside is picture perfect.
Complementing the appealing family-oriented atmosphere brimming over with homespun pleasures, Ottawa County brings together thriving commerce and industry for a healthy and diverse local economy. Whether you enjoy the hometown atmosphere of a growing village or the chirping of crickets in the rolling green countryside, Ottawa County has the ideal setting for your dream home and chosen lifestyle.
Allen Township (and the Village of Clay Center/Williston)
Township Offices
419-836-4204
www.allentownship.us
Chamber of Commerce
419-734-5503
www.portclintonchamber.com
Allen Township is a, semi-rural, agricultural community. Located in the northwest corner of the county. it is home to more than 3600 residents who enjoy an enviable quality of life. Within the borders of township are the Village of Clay Center and the suburb of Williston. The township is part of the Genoa Area Local School district and the Allen Clay Joint Fire District. Allen Township’s location is ideally suited so that its residents can enjoy the cultural and culinary benefits of the city Toledo which is a short drive to the west and the outstanding vacation and Lake Erie attractions to the east, being only 25 miles from Port Clinton and the Lake Erie Islands. In addition it is only a short 45 miles to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. All of this combined ensures that residents enjoy the benefits of living in a more relaxed environment while having action and adventure right at their doorstep.
Bass Islands
Middle Bass, North Bass, South Bass
South Bass Island is one of the most popular and most visited islands in Lake Erie. Its close proximity to the mainland, the plentiful watering holes located on the island make it a highly prized destination. During the season which runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the island is active from early morning to late into the night.
South Bass Island as it is now referred to has also been called Put-in-Bay Island. The island is 3.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide and covers 1382 acres. For over a century, South Bass Island has been famous as a summer resort. Ruins of the Victory Hotel, destroyed by fire in 1919, are still evident in the State Park campgrounds. Tourism thrives today making the islands one of the most popular vacation spots in Ohio. The four areas comprising Lake Erie Island state parks were added to the state park system in the early 1950s. South Bass Island is accessible by ferry from Port Clinton or Catawba Island. From South Bass Island, you can also catch a ferry to North Bass Island.
Probably the biggest attraction on South Bass Island is downtown Put-in-Bay. It definitely has the spirit of island life. Known for its party atmosphere, Put-in-Bay also has a central park, and numerous dining establishments and hotels.
Catawba Island Township
Township Offices
419-797-4131
www.catawbaislandtownship.com
Chamber of Commerce
419-734-5503
www.portclintonchamber.com
Founded in 1861, Catawba Island Township is home to more than 3,100 people who are year round residents. The township is located in the northeastern part of the county on the northern point of the Marblehead Peninsula, forming its own peninsula — not island as the name might suggest— into Lake Erie. This lake side location makes Catawba Island Township the very definition of a coastal community, both in appearance and feel. While the year round population is moderate, seasonal visitors can make the area feel more a like a small city when the weather is warm. This influx of vacationers is the core of the economy for the area. What those visitors and residents have at their disposal is miles of beautiful shorelines, fishing, nature reserves and state parks. There are restaurants, shops and much more available in this historic community. For outdoor activities, Catawba Island State Park provides boat launching facilities as well as picnic areas. In addition the township owns 17 acres off N. E. Catawba Road and maintains walking trails and a nature preserve there. Residents will also find a township recreation area consisting of a baseball field, soccer field, basketball, tennis courts and playgrounds adjacent to the Catawba Woods subdivision. All of the natural beauty, the Lake Erie location and the local amenities make Catawba Island a summertime paradise for visitors and a year round paradise for residents.
Danbury Township/Village of Marble Head
Township Offices
419-734-6120
www.danburytownship.com
Village of Marblehead
419-798-4074
www.marbleheadvillageohio.com
Chamber of Commerce
419-734-5503
www.portclintonchamber.com
Danbury Township covers a large coastal area of more than 17 square miles which includes more than 32 miles of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay and Harbor shoreline. Located at the eastern end of Danbury Township is the Village of Marblehead. Marblehead is home to the Marblehead Lighthouse, the gallery of world-renown artist Ben Richmond and the Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line. The year round population of Danbury Township is just over 3,800 residents with an additional nearly 1000 in Marblehead. But with its lakeside location and wonderful amenities that make the area a draw to vacationers and seasonal residents, there are homes, condominiums, marinas, campgrounds, cottages and recreational vehicle parks that become the summer homes of thousands of summer-only residents.
Marblehead is the center of activity in the township and offers a thriving small town character enhanced by its natural beauty. The residents of the area are from a mix of nationalities with a leaning to those of Eastern European culture. The village is home to residents who embrace their history and enjoy their hometown. From Early spring until the first snowfalls of winter the entire area is full of activity with boating, fishing and all of the water sports taking center stage. There is plenty of small town atmosphere with all of the action of a larger city to be enjoyed. In the winter – as the lake freezes over you can find local ice fisherman enjoying the serenity of the season. The township offers same services to its residents that are found in much larger cities, with good schools, quality local services and a strong local government. The Village of Marblehead enjoys a history fashioned by a community of neighbors.
Village of Elmore
Village Offices
http://village.elmore.oh.us/
Elmore is a small community, with approximately 1,500 residents. Its location makes it only a short drive from the urban amenities of the Toledo area. Many locals commute to Toledo or other near-by cities and towns for work. In recent years the addition of several new antique stores has brought many news visitors to the downtown area as a destination location. In addition the village has added new touches to the downtown area such as old-fashioned street posts and the re-furbished train depot. The annual Portage River Festival and various other events bring visitors to the area. Elmore is also home to the Schedel Arboretum and Gardens which is a nationally renowned facility. There is also a bike and foot path, several parks, a golf course (Sugar Creek), turn of the century cemeteries, Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and river-front views that make up the villages attractions. The Portage River continues to play an important recreational role in the community and it is not uncommon for locals and visitors alike to be found taking advantage of the river through fishing or other activities. Residents enjoy a relaxed pace of life and a quiet lifestyle that is ideal for families.
Genoa Village
Village Offices
419-855-7791
www.genoaohio.org
Chamber of Commerce
419-855-7761
www.genoachamber.org
The village of Genoa is located at the west end of Ottawa County in rural farm country. Directly north is the Crane Creek Wildlife Refuge and to the east is Port Clinton and a little farther on, the Marblehead Lighthouse. The Genoa area shares a community rich in traditional values, blending its rich heritage of the past with a progressive attitude toward the future. The Genoa area is home to several historical attractions, good schools, rich farmland and area parks. It is located minutes from Lake Erie, where recreation opportunities include, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, golfing, antiquing and much more are available.
Oak Harbor Village
Village Offices
419-898-5561
www.oakharbor.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
419-898-0479
www.oakharborohio.net
The Village of Oak Harbor has a population of just over 2,800 and is located at the hub of the industrial Midwest. The Village lies on the north side of the Portage River. It is located just 25 miles southeast of Toledo. Access to Lake Erie, via the Portage River, is 10 miles east of the village. Like most small towns in the region, business and commerce of the area is related to agriculture. Recreational opportunities also abound as the area enjoys a long Lake Erie shoreline, beaches, marinas, a state park and a wildlife refuge. The village has several merchants who have a lot to offer. For dining out, the village offers several fast food restaurants and full service restaurants. The area offers its residents a quiet lifestyle that is within commuting distance of the Toledo metro area.
Port Clinton
City Offices
419-734-5522
www.portclinton.com
Chamber of Commerce
419-734-5503
www.portclintonchamber.com
Located on the north coast of Lake Erie, Port Clinton is the gateway to world-class fishing, boating, beaches, golf and sightseeing. Major state routes link Port Clinton to Toledo and Cleveland. It seems all roads lead to the lake in Ottawa County bringing business and visitors to Port Clinton year round. A local airport, the Ottawa-Erie County Regional airport, just two miles east of the town, serves small aircraft and three major airports are less than 1 1/2 hours away: Toledo Express; Detroit Metropolitan; and Cleveland-Hopkins. Port Clinton is a small community with many big city amenities including excellent schools, medical and health services. Housing is varied – with historic homes overlooking the beach and newer homes with beautiful views. A selection of lakeside condo’s offer docks for boaters. Residents can take a walk at lunch time and greet the friendly residents of this historic community. The town also offers a Performing Arts Center where locals can enjoy varied performances. Port Clinton offers its residents all of the amenities that they could expect from a town of any size, while offering the unique and scenic location that keeps visitors returning year after year.
