MADISON COUNTY
County Offices
One North Main Street
London 740-852-2972
www.co.madison.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
730 Keny Boulevard
London 740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
The agricultural and rural area of Madison County is located in the Columbus metropolitan region, spanning Interstates 70 and 71 as they converge on Columbus. The county was named after the fourth President of the United States, James Madison. More than 80 percent of the county’s area is still devoted to farm land, interspersed with small communities that provide opportunities for serene country living in close proximity to first-rate urban amenities.
Services
Although Columbus is only minutes from home and quickly accessible via major interstate highways, state-of-the-art healthcare is as close as Madison County Hospital. Affiliated with the OSU/Mount Carmel Health Alliance, this 105-bed hospital provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. Among the hospital services are breast care, cardiopulmonary, emergency, laboratory, maternity, occupational health, oncology, radiology, rehabilitation, a sleep lab, women’s health, and surgical specialties. In addition to providing access to medical specialists through the Health Alliance, Madison County Hospital is home to a number of skilled physicians that maintain private practice clinics. The hospital is committed to leading-edge equipment, including advanced radiology that rivals that of larger hospitals in Central Ohio. Should highly specialized care require additional resources, the hospitals and clinics of Columbus are always accessible, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Quality schools are another hallmark of Madison County, home to the Tolles Career & Technical Center. For nearly 30 years, the center has welcomed students from area high schools as well as adults of all ages, giving them the opportunity to train for immediate hire in highly desirable career fields. Madison County is also served by Columbus State Community College, meeting the needs of the metropolitan community for more than four decades. Nearly 24,000 students benefit from the considerable resources of this institution. The college maintains a Career & Technical Program division, a College of Arts and Science, a Community Education and Workforce Development division, extensive opportunities for distance learning, and programs for high school students that fall under the K-12 Initiatives. Plain City in Madison County is one of nine Off-Campus Centers that offer convenient access to higher education to suburban residents. For those who are seeking a public college, a private liberal arts college or a major state university experience, the Columbus metropolitan region is rich in additional options for higher education. The largest of dozens of institutions is Ohio State University in Columbus. Three of the prestigious Five Colleges of Ohio are located in the metropolitan area including Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Denison University in Granville, and Kenyon College in Gambier.
Lifestyle
Rural and agricultural in nature, Madison County communities draw newcomers to simple country pleasures, well-managed and proud small communities, and a rare quality of life. With two major interstate highways traversing the county, commuters can awaken each morning to songbirds and relax each evening to the sound of crickets chirping at a distance from urban crowds and traffic. The housing options are widely varied but are dominated by opportunities for acreage, large lots, properties with horse privileges, and an atmosphere of scenic expansion. Cozy neighborhoods are available in the developed communities, with larger and newer homes dotting the countryside and complementing quaint old farmhouses and older properties.
Recreational opportunities are available within communities and are particularly well-developed in the leading city of London. Supervising its own programs, the Recreation Department also closely collaborates with youth sports leagues to encourage an active lifestyle. Nearly 150 acres of land are devoted to community parks filled with sports equipment, fields, and courts and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as resources like shelter houses for picnicking and relaxing. Each community has developed popular festivals or celebrations that draw county residents together, including the London Strawberry Festival, the London Arts and Motor Cars Festival, the nation’s largest agricultural show at the OSU Molly Caren Center, the Madison County Fair, Pioneer Days, and the Madison Classic Cars & Crafts Show to name a few. Historic and unique attractions abound, from The Red Brick Tavern, an historic restaurant visited by six presidents, to destination dining at Ann & Tony’s Restaurant. Deer Creek Resort & Conference Center brings many Columbus visitors to the countryside for business events on 3,100 scenic acres of natural beauty and first-rate accommodations. Deer Creek State Park serves all of Central Ohio as a recreational jewel, providing acres of picturesque meadows and deep woodlands as well as a sparkling recreational reservoir. As a resort park, Deer Creek State Park features a modern lodge, cottages, campground, a golf course, a swimming beach, and boating opportunities that the entire family can enjoy. Old-fashioned good times are waiting in Madison County, where the good life and country pleasures can be savored and enjoyed just a few minutes from the bustle and vitality of Columbus.
Chuckery
Village Offices
614-873-3527
www.plain-city.com
Community Website
www.chuckeryohio.com
Chamber of Commerce
740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
Straddling the border between Madison and Union counties, the community of Chuckery is proud of its agricultural heritage. Some of the farms in this area date back to the original Virginia Military Land Grants. Chuckery shares a location near Plain City near some unique natural attractions like Little Darby Creek Hickory Plains Farm, drawing residents and visitors to The MAIZE each autumn. Stretching from Dublin to North Lewisburg, the Big Darby Plains Scenic Byway follows the meandering path of the Big Darby Creek, a State and National Scenic River. The route of this byway passes by a number of picturesque and historic covered bridges, historic cemeteries and churches, Ohio Century Farms, and historic small villages. The Union County Covered Bridge Festival is a popular event with activities in a number of communities including Marysville, Unionville Center, Plain City, Milford Center, and North Lewisburg.
London
City Offices
740-852-3243
www.ci.london.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
Residents of London, the largest of Madison County communities, enjoy a quintessential rural, small-town atmosphere that excels in warmth and friendliness. In addition to a highly developed parks and recreation department that oversees acres of recreational land and facilities as well as supervised programs, the city claims unique highlights. London celebrates one of the largest kit car shows in the nation and draws regional visitors to its famous Olde Fashioned Christmas, the Strawberry Festival, the Madison County Fair, and a wildly popular wiffle ball tournament. Other highlights include the London Farmer’s Market, a working fish hatchery, the OSU Molly Caren Center for large-scale agricultural shows, and the historic Red Brick Tavern. The Madison County Historical Society preserves the area’s historic legacy, while modern life is the focal point of one of the top-rated peace officer training academies.
Mt. Sterling
Village Offices
740-869-2040
www.mtsterling.org
Chamber of Commerce
740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
Newcomers to Mt. Sterling will discover some of the most scenic landscapes and countryside in Madison County. The rolling hills of the Deer Creek State Park region create an idyllic setting for residential development in this warm, welcoming hometown environment. The park is a recreational jewel set in the vast expanse of Central Ohio, surrounding a sparkling reservoir with meadows and woodlands. The Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center covers 3,100 acres just 30 minutes from Columbus, welcoming a constant stream of visitors and serving as a first-rate resource. Also in this area, the Procter Camp & Conference Center, an Episcopal retreat center, offers a variety of programs. The village is one of the earliest settlements in the county, and yet today it boasts a youthful population with many families who are drawn to the quiet, close-knit atmosphere in close proximity to first-rate urban amenities. Local highlights include antique shops and colorful celebrations like the Good ‘Ole Days Festival and Pioneer Days Festival
Plain City
Village Offices
614-873-3527
www.plain-city.com
Chamber of Commerce
740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
Known as a comfortable and friendly place to live and raise a family, Plain City boasts the largest collection of Amish shops in Central Ohio. The village is located at the junction of Routes 161 and 42 just 10 minutes from the city of Dublin and 15 minutes from Marysville. The city is proud of its rich history, which includes playing a vital role along the Underground Railroad that shuttled southern slaves northward toward Canada. Some of those newly freed people remained in Plain City and are revered as generational residents today. Parents appreciate the excellent school system that serves the village as well as access to a number of respected institutions of higher education with an easy commute. The village benefits from a strong sense of community and friendly Midwestern charm. Outstanding recreational opportunities are as close as Deer Creek State Park, and Columbus is an easy drive from home for world-class cultural and entertainment attractions.
West Jefferson
Village Offices
614-879-7674
www.westjeffersonohio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
740-852-2250
www.madisoncountyohio.org
The former trading post along a dirt road leading to Columbus, West Jefferson has evolved into a growing community along the original National Road, Route 40. Named after Thomas Jefferson, the village benefited from the expansion of Route 40 into a four-lane highway as long ago as 1940 and soon became a gathering place for regional farmers and business people. Today, West Jefferson is the proud home of the campus for the Battelle Memorial Institute, one of America’s primary research laboratories. Big Darby Creek adds scenic splendor and borders the community, providing a protected natural habitat for many examples of some of Ohio’s endangered wildlife as well as recreational opportunities such as nearby Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Converse and Garrette parks are other popular outdoor destinations. West Jefferson is known for colorful celebrations that include Christmas in the Park, one of the largest free holiday lighting exhibitions in the nation, as well as the Ox Roast and the Madison Classic Cars & Crafts Show. Ann & Tony’s Restaurant is another popular attraction with a regional reputation.
Madison County Townships
Township Listing and Information
http://co.madison.oh.us/townshiptrusteesassociation
Besides the cities, villages and towns within Madison County, 14 townships comprise a large part of the area in the county. These townships range from smaller rural communities with a few hundred residents to more than several thousand people. The townships are spread throughout the region and are generally comprised of farm, rural and residential land.
Click on the link above to go to the State of Ohio listing of municipal web sites for the county.
