DARKE COUNTY
County Offices
520 South Broadway
Greenville 937-547-7300
https://www.mydarkecounty.com/
Chamber of Commerce
622 South Broadway
Greenville 937-548-2102
https://www.darkecountyohio.com/
Darke County is strategically situated near the Ohio-Indiana border just 35 miles from Dayton, drawing newcomers to historic charm and friendly small towns. Close proximity to Interstates 70 and 75 ensure quick commutes to a world of regional resources and attractions.
Services
While the atmosphere in Darke County is relaxed and filled with homespun delights, the services rival that of a well-developed urban center. The network of public and private schools from kindergarten through 12th grade is complemented by several options for career and technical training and easy access to several colleges and universities. Students of all ages benefit from the vocational training available within the Greenville City School District as well as the Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Clayton and the Upper Valley JVS in Piqua. Greenville maintains the Darke County campus for Edison Community College, with its main campus in Piqua. Students are able to complete coursework leading to certifications or associate degrees as well as preparation for a four-year degree through traditional classroom, Web-enhanced, and interactive video instruction. Miami University, part of the Ohio State University System, maintains campuses in Oxford and Middletown. Nearby Dayton offers Sinclair Community College, the University of Dayton, and Wright State University. Indiana University East in Richmond and Ball State University in Muncie are located nearby in Indiana.
Affordable, quality healthcare is anchored in Darke County by Wayne Hospital in Greenville, ranked as the most economical primary care provider in the region. This 91-bed community hospital provides a contemporary facility with a progressive attitude about serving the comprehensive needs of county residents. Founded in 1922, the hospital has undergone significant growth and expansion in recent years, adding specialized centers including a cardiopulmonary department, ambulatory care, outpatient rehabilitation, a sleep lab, and a Convenient Care Center. Emergency services are available around the clock, although the Convenient Care Center provides after-hours care for non-emergency accidents and illnesses. The Special Beginnings Birthing Center reflects the patient-centered, compassionate attitude that has always been the hallmark of Wayne Hospital.
Lifestyle
Darke County excels in blending an outstanding quality of life with rural beauty and welcoming “hometown” communities. The Darke County Park District provides a number of developed sites where residents can enjoy outdoor activities surrounded by the beauty of nature. Just west of Greenville is the Nature Center, a 6,800-foot facility at the 120-acre Shawnee Prairie Preserve with its wetlands, prairie areas and succession woods. The Coppess Nature Sanctuary covers 32 wooded acres between Ansonia and Union City, while the Routzong Preserve features 51 lush acres southeast of Greenville. For those who prefer fast-paced racing thrills over quiet walks, Eldora Speedway is a half-mile dirt oval track that draws enthusiastic crowds to a variety of regularly scheduled and special events. The Darke County Family YMCA adds a world of sports and recreational resources, including a swimming pool, weight room, aerobics, racquetball, indoor tennis, volleyball, basketball, youth gym, running track, cardiac rehab center, sauna, whirlpool, and men’s and women’s Health Enhancement Centers. Golfers can perfect their game on championship courses, both public and private. The entire family will enjoy the lively summer highlight of the spectacular Darke County Fair, proudly billed as “the greatest county fair in the world.”
Cultural attractions include historic sites and venues like the Garst Museum that houses the Darke County Historical Society. Memorabilia and artifacts span the centuries and decades, from famous personalities like Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas to Native American cultures. The restored 1910 Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall is a county showpiece, serving as a grand performance and gallery center for the arts in Darke County. Instrumental and vocal music have always been important to Darke County residents, evidenced by top-rated school bands and orchestras as well as the Greenville Community Concert Band with its summer park concerts. Smaller ensembles also participate in the Greenville Music Club, presenting community musicals and special events. The Darke County Oratorio Society focuses on vocal talent. Visual artists are celebrated at the Anna Bier Gallery, while the Darke County Civic Theatre presents live-stage productions. Festivals and seasonal celebrations dot the calendar with exciting dates, from the Annie Oakley Festival to holiday lights. The homes are as attractive as the natural countryside in Darke County. Newcomers will find a pleasing mix of styles and settings, from the elegance of restored Victorians shaded by ancient trees to country manors and custom builds on generous acreage. For the best of the Midwest, take time to explore the many charms of Darke County.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Arcanum
Village Offices
937-692-8500
https://villageofarcanum.com/
Chamber of Commerce
937-548-2102
https://www.darkecountyohio.com/
One of Ohio’s best-kept secrets, the serene village community of Arcanum is situated in the southwest corner of Darke County. Arcanum is 35 miles northwest of the bustling metropolitan center of Dayton and 15 miles from the Indian border in the heart of Ohio’s farm belt. Corn and soy are the primary crops within this fertile and picturesque agricultural region. The historic downtown district of Arcanum invites visitors and residents to step back in time and enjoy an intimate stroll down George Street, where grand buildings now house unique gift shops and antique dealers. The stately civic building features the impressive water tower as its background, a landmark that is visible from every corner of Arcanum. Ivester Park with its quaint gazebo and lush greenery crown the historic charm of this friendly village. The community swimming pool and the sports facilities at the community park are contemporary amenities that bring families, friend, and neighbors together frequently.
Greenville
City Offices
937-548-1482
http://cityofgreenville.org
Chamber of Commerce
937-548-2102
https://www.darkecountyohio.com/
The leading city and county seat of government is Greenville, a rural community that provides excellent access to major interstate highways. Newcomers will find a city that is large enough to promote a strong economy but small enough for neighbors to know each other by name. Greenville serves as the educational, healthcare, commercial, and cultural hub of the entire county. A major hospital, a community college, private schools, a performing arts center, and wonderful recreational amenities are all highlights of a community that excels in historic charm. With more than 80 buildings listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Downtown Greenville is a wonderful home for retail and specialty shops. Strip malls offer major chain stores, and a medley of restaurants and cafes dot the cityscape. The beautiful City Park, the Recreation Center, and the outstanding YMCA crown a variety of natural and developed recreational sites, including a county Nature Center. Quiet, established neighborhoods are lined by attractive homes and surrounded by peaceful countryside beyond the city limits.
Union City
City Offices
937-968-4305
http://unioncityvillage.homestead.com
Chamber of Commerce
765-964-5409
http://unioncityvillage.homestead.com/unioncitychamber.html
Union City claims a unique and proud history as a community that flourished in the 1800s at the convergence of five railroads. Today, the city’s unusual location along the Ohio-Indiana border is reflected in the slogan “the hub of two states” and the joint chamber of commerce that crosses that border to unite the “Union Cities” on both sides. The recreational amenity of the new Union City Gateway Project is another example of cooperative goal-setting, providing a walking and biking trail across the Ohio and Indiana communities. Opportunities for entertainment and cultural enrichment are abundant in the Union City area, including the city’s own Randy Players, the Union City Preservation Society Museum, and the Old Hotel Museum. Minutes from home, residents can enjoy racing venues, the Great Darke County Fair, symphony orchestras, civic theatres, and Broadway-style stage performances. Recreational opportunities abound in Union City and the surrounding area, including tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, golf, a skateboard park, hiking and biking trails, picnic grounds, and nature preserves.
Versailles
Village Offices
937-526-3294
https://versaillesoh.com/
Chamber of Commerce
937-548-2102
http://www.darkecountyohio.com
Founded in 1819, the historic and beautiful community of Versailles offers a serene rural village atmosphere where neighbors wave in passing and greet each other by name. In spite of its small size, the village claims some of the county’s most successful businesses, including the oldest newspaper in Darke County. The local economy is diverse and encompasses manufacturing, food processing, publishing, services, trucking, and retail. Poultry has traditionally played a major role in Versailles, earning the village the title of “Poultry Capital of the World.” Today, residents celebrate the proud legacy of that industry in the annual Poultry Days Festival, first held in 1951 and growing ever more spectacular through the decades. Proceeds go to community improvement, including the development of lovely Heritage Park. With reverence for the past and a progressive eye toward the future, Versailles continues to grow and prosper. The attitude of the community is expressed in its simple motto: People, Pride, Progress.
