FAIRFIELD COUNTY
County Offices
210 East Main Street
Lancaster 740-652-7090
www.co.fairfield.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
109 North Broad Street
Lancaster 740-653-8251
www.lancoc.org
Situated along the edge of Ohio’s panoramic Appalachian region of beautiful rolling hills, Fairfield County is part of the Columbus metropolitan region. The northern portion of the county is relatively flat along the US 33 route, although the foothills of the mountainous region are visible near the village of Carroll. The area south of US 22 is recognizable as an Appalachian geography, leading to the scenic Hocking Hills area that is primarily in neighboring Hocking County.
Services
While residents of Fairfield County enjoy all the pleasures of a slower pace of living, natural beauty, and a rural lifestyle; they also have easy access to first-rate healthcare and educational facilities. Ohio University maintains a campus in Lancaster, which now includes a Pickerington Center for more convenient classroom access. The Lancaster Campus serves more than 1,800 students, providing opportunities to earn degrees from associate through master’s in classrooms close to home. Outstanding resources include the Hannah V. McCauley Library with impressive electronic databases and resources including OhioLINK. Students also have wireless, student e-mail and Internet access. Ohio University students lead the state in the number of competitive awards and the university is often recognized for academic quality and value by such publications as U.S. News and World Report, America’s 100 Best College Buys, Princeton Review’s Best Colleges, and Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges.
The healthcare network is equally impressive, anchored by Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster. Since its establishment in 1916, this full-service campus has continued to grow and expand into the premier healthcare system it is today. Fairfield Medical Center offers a 222-bed general acute care facility that serves as the major referral center for southeastern and central Ohio. More than 600 volunteers assist 2,000 employees and a growing team of skilled professionals including 250 physicians in meeting the comprehensive needs of patients within and beyond the borders of Fairfield County. The list of general and specialized services is exhaustive, covering areas such as emergency care, surgical specialties, advanced imaging, cancer and cardiac care, maternal and child health, rehabilitation, community outreach, and leading-edge technologies. Throughout the county, medical professionals in every major specialty and many sub-specialties are available for private consultation, including family practice clinics.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Fairfield County will feel as if they have stepped back into a simpler time with pristine rural landscapes, picturesque villages, and the warmth of friendly communities. The rich agricultural heritage of the county is still very visible and agriculture remains as a principle industry. Farm-fresh goods are a part of daily life in Fairfield County, where residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to visit local farms, orchards, wineries, and farm markets. Enjoy hiking through area parks, catching views from Mt. Pleasant, or enjoying the live entertainment in the Lancaster Main Street District including Friday Night Bandstand and First Friday. Winter Festival creates a magical spirit with horse-drawn buggy rides and cookie or ornament decorating at local businesses.
Those interested in history will find hidden treasures around every corner of Fairfield County. Fascinating museums include the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, featuring permanent collections and a Hall of Fame gallery that is constant evolving. The outdoor amphitheater on the Lancaster campus of Ohio University and the Fairfield County Fairgrounds provide large venues for a number of festivals, concerts, and special events. One of the most famous of the region’s colorful events is the Pickerington Violet Festival, drawing as many as 40,000 visitors. The Georgian Museum is housed in Samuel Maccracken’s 1832 mansion, restored to its original architectural grandeur and furnished with exceptional period pieces. Another historic highlight is the Ohio Glass Museum, featuring displays that support Lancaster’s designation as the “Pressed Glass Capital” of Ohio by the State Legislature in 2003. A number of other fine museums focus on art, the civil war and General William T. Sherman, children, and motorcycles as in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Many of the small villages in this area originally sprang up in association with the canal activities and some were home to glass factories or oil/gas wells. The shopping is delightful in these quaint communities, featuring unique boutiques, antique dealers, specialty stores, and Amish goods. Crowning the quality of life, first-class recreational activities are available in wonderful area parks and golf courses in this spectacular natural gateway to the Hocking Hills region.
Baltimore
Village Offices
740-862-4491
www.baltimoreohio.org
Chamber of Commerce
740-653-8251
www.lancoc.org
The quiet village of Baltimore is nestled in Liberty Township, which takes for its slogan, “A place you can call home.” This friendly and welcoming residential community is experiencing growth and development through the expansion of the metropolitan Columbus region. Grant incentives are spurring widespread renovation of older homes and buildings, adding to the mix of attractive housing. Baltimore is just minutes away from the leading city of Lancaster, so residents have easy access to higher education through the master’s degree level, a full-service medical center, the Lancaster Main Street District, and a number of cultural resources and events. Regional parks are ideal for expanded recreational amenities, from hiking and bicycling to fishing and boating at jewels like Buckeye Lake State Park.
Bloom Township
Township Offices
614-837-4387
www.bloomtwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
614-837-1556
www.canalwinchester.com
The rural community of Bloom Township is another appealing choice for residential development. One of the unique historic features in the township is the Rock Mill Bridge, originally built in 1849 in Queenpost style and rebuilt in 1880. The smallest covered bridge in Fairfield County, it crosses the upper falls 30 feet above the Hocking River’s origin. Growth tends to be slow and steady in this community, where a wide variety of housing styles dot the rural landscape. While agricultural activity continues to thrive and preserve an open and picturesque landscape, the farm population is decreasing as more land becomes converted over to residential development. Golf courses, Columbus Metro Park, and State Run Metro Park are available close to home, supporting a wide range of recreational and sports activity. The city of Lancaster is only a short commute, adding a world of urban amenities and services that include a major state university campus, a comprehensive medical center, and delightful cultural and entertainment attractions.
Canal Winchester
Village Offices
614-837-7493
www.canalwinchesterohio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
614-837-1556
www.canalwinchester.com
The village of Canal Winchester actually straddles Fairfield and Franklin counties, drawing newcomers to a small-town atmosphere steeped in historic charm and Victorian architecture. The vibrant downtown historic district is only about 15 miles southeast of downtown Columbus. The village has a proud history of agriculture, commerce and transportation, with today’s downtown district the site of the former route of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Now ideally situated along US 33, Canal Winchester is a growing community that is only a 10-minute drive from major Interstate highways, international airports and urban amenities. Within the village are opportunities for shopping and dining, local parks and recreational facilities and unique attractions. The Jeffers Barber Museum has been mentioned on notable programs from the Discovery Channel and Fox Live to Smithsonian Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. The Mid-Ohio Doll and Toy Museum is another local jewel, while nearby Motts Military Museum features a rare display of American military history. Slate Run Metro Park features an historical farm that offers a glimpse of farm life more than a century ago. Slate Run Vineyard and Winery is another popular attraction.
Lancaster
City Offices
740-687-6600
www.ci.lancaster.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
740-653-8251
www.lancoc.org
Located near the picturesque Hocking River, Lancaster draws new residents to a charming hometown that is rich in history and the arts. Main Street Lancaster is a regional destination for shopping, culture and art. As the gateway to the spectacular Hocking Hills region, Lancaster features breathtaking views, wonderful parks, and unique museums. Some of the highlights include the Sherman House Museum, the Georgian Museum, and the Reese-Peters mansion. All have been meticulously restored, with the latter now serving as the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. The most recent jewel celebrating the area’s history is the Ohio Glass Museum, dedicated to preserve Lancaster’s proud glass manufacturing history. The neighborhoods and homes are as appealing as the Main Street District, reflecting a wide variety of styles and periods. Residents enjoy a warm and friendly hometown atmosphere that includes events like the summer Friday Night Bandstand on the downtown square and the First Friday events that feature local bands. Colorful festivals dot the calendar with dates to remember, and local parks provide open space and recreational opportunities just beyond the front doorstep.
Pickerington, Violet Township
City Offices
614-837-3974
www.ci.pickerington.oh.us
Township Offices
614-575-5556
www.violet.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
614-837-1958
www.pickeringtonchamber.com
The atmosphere in the former country village of Pickerington has forever been changed by a steady stream of growth and development that began as long ago as 1965. Today, Pickerington is one of the major cities in Fairfield County. Located in the northwestern part of the county, Pickerington serves as one of the metropolitan Columbus suburban communities but it is also marks the transition between urbanization and the agricultural land and open spaces that stretch to the east and southeast. Unincorporated Violet Township provides additional rural land for residential development and is also characterized as a growing community. Many commuters to Columbus prefer the serenity of the countryside and travel the US 33 corridor on a daily basis to the city. The second-largest city in Fairfield County, Pickerington has been designated as by the Ohio Legislature as the “Violet Capital of Ohio.” The Pickerington Violet Festival is one of the region’s most popular and tends to draw as many as 40,000 visitors.
