AUGLAIZE COUNTY
County Offices
419-739-6710
www.auglaizecounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
419-629-0313
www.auglaize.org
True to its chosen slogan, “Moving Forward Every Day,” progressive Auglaize County is serious about economic growth and the capacity to provide local residents with the highest quality of life. Outstanding schools, wonderful neighborhoods, effective services, and a low cost of living are just a few of the advantages that make this area such a desirable place to call home. The county’s location in the Grand Lake St. Marys Region crowns its many appealing features with historic treasures, premier recreational opportunities and spectacular natural beauty.
Services
Outstanding educational opportunities are available on every academic level, beginning with private school options and award-winning public schools in well-managed districts that offer special programs to meet every need and interest. The Tri Star Career Compact technical district provides technical training opportunities for junior and senior high school students, while a lakefront campus for Wright State University is available nearby in Celina for two-year college programs or an affordable start on a four-year degree. A number of other colleges and universities are available within a reasonable commuting distance, including the University of Dayton in Dayton. The University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima is a private institution that provides more than 60 programs in such diverse areas as business, medical, legal, travel, information technology, marketing, high performance motorsports, agriculture, and alternate fuels. The Lima campus for Ohio State University provides regional access to bachelor degree programs in science and the liberal arts, while Rhodes State College in Lima focuses on career training and associate degree programs.
Healthcare services are anchored by the Grand Lake Health System (GLHS) Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, ranked among the top one percent of hospitals nationally. The 130-bed hospital excels in such areas as cardiac care, transition care, rehabilitation, surgery, and women’s services to name a few. GLHS Home Health and Emergency services have also garnered recognition as some of the finest in the nation. The system recently opened the 10,000-square-foot Wapakoneta Medical Center, adding primary care services and urgent care services in Wapakoneta. County residents can also access three other hospitals within a 25-mile radius, including Wilson Memorial in Sidney. Lima Memorial Health System is one of two regional healthcare centers in Lima, providing a Level II Trauma Center and Level II Neonatal Nursery that is an extension of Toledo’s Children’s Hospital. St. Rita’s Medical Center is the largest hospital within a 70-mile radius of Lima, and the city is also home to the Institute for Orthopedic Surgery.
Lifestyle
Auglaize County draws newcomers to the fine balance of rural charm and close proximity to big-city advantages from culture and the arts to shopping, entertainment, and sports. Local attractions include a new Performing Arts Center at Memorial High School in St. Marys for band and choral concerts as well as theatrical productions. The visual arts are showcased at the Riverside Art Center in Wapakoneta and the Arts Place in St. Marys, while the nearby community college showcases regional talent. Broadway shows, national headliners, and stellar entertainment are available close to home at regional venues like the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center in Lima or the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in Van Wert. Active local communities fill the calendar with colorful special events, season and holiday celebrations, and elaborate festivals. Schools, churches, civic organizations and other community groups create a lively atmosphere of engagement and connection. Residential settings within the county are attractive and diverse, appealing to a wide cross-section of lifestyle choices and budgets. Choices include cozy homes nestled in friendly small-town neighborhoods, country living on spacious lots, upscale new developments, or lakeside properties that command breathtaking sunset views.
Recreational opportunities in and near Auglaize County are among Ohio’s finest, from well-planned facilities like the regional family YMCA to wonderful parks, playgrounds, golf courses, and sports centers. The crown jewel of outdoor attractions is the magnificent Grand Lake St. Marys, the largest inland lake in the state and a popular destination for visitors who want to take advantage of world-class fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, biking, and camping. Those who love stock, sprint and midget car races will want to visit Limaland Motorsport Park in nearby Lima. The Lima area also offers 1,200 acres of preserved natural beauty in the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District for activities like hiking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding, bicycling, and enjoying interpretive programs. The convenient juxtaposition of Interstate 75 and US Highway 33 ensures easy commutes to regional destinations for recreation, expanded amenities or employment. With its homespun charm, friendly neighborhoods, unrivaled water recreation, natural beauty, and contagious vitality, Auglaize County has all the ingredients to become a cherished home.
Saint Marys
City Offices
419-394-3303
www.cityofstmarys.net
Chamber of Commerce
419-3-4611
www.stmarysohio.org
St. Marys enjoys an idyllic location along the western shore of Grand Lake, one of Ohio’s most celebrated recreational treasures. Many companies both large and small provide a strong economic base for the city, which is also home to a regional state-of-the-art hospital operated by a nationally recognized health system. St. Marys provides several of the county’s cultural attractions, including a wonderful Performing Arts Center that is only one of several state-of-the-art amenities at the new Memorial High School. The Arts Place in downtown St. Marys is another regional treasure, serving local artists as well as those who desire to develop their unique talents. Housing options in the St. Marys area are diverse and attractive, from historic treasures and lovely homes along tree-lined streets to lakefront properties.
Wapakoneta
City Offices
419-738-3011
www.wapakoneta.net
Chamber of Commerce
419-738-2911
www.wapakoneta.com
The focal point of the county seat of Wapakoneta is still the magnificent 1894 court house, standing with dignity over the community as a point of pride for the entire county. Ideally located at the intersection of Interstate 75 and US Highway 33, the city provides quick and easy commutes to regional urban centers and recreational attractions. Yesterday and today converge in this delightful city, which has preserved a 1904 theatre and yet welcomes throngs of visitors to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to the historic downtown, the Saturday Farmers Market, and the displays at the Riverside Art Center. Residents delight in celebrations around the four seasons at such events as the Summer Moon Festival, Big Auglaize County Fair, Buckeye Farm Antique Show, and the Giant Halloween Parade. Access to healthcare professionals in every specialty is available locally, and the city is located within 15 miles of three exceptional hospital campuses.
Auglaize County Townships
Rolling rural townships stretch over the expanse of the county, supporting handsome residential development, thriving industries, and rich agricultural production. Small villages and towns dot the landscape, each one claiming a unique character and history. Cridersville points to a strong German heritage while Waynesfield is proud of its retail development and new industrial park. In and around these long-established communities, newcomers will discover a wide variety of rural settings that offer quiet country living at its finest.
