Ohio's Historic West
Ohio's Historic West is the story of the American Experience as illustrated by our cultural and ethnic diversity, family farms, historic freedoms and liberties, rural lifestyle, scenic beauty, ingenious innovations, hometown heroes, patterns of development and settlement, small town charms and the spirit of community.
Ohio's Historic West is a State Designated Heritage Area dedicated to the development of cultural and heritage tourism in an eight county area; Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby. It is truly a patchwork of diverse places, and highlights many historic, cultural, scenic, and agricultural sites and attractions.
Fast Facts
Champaign County is conveniently nestled in the heart of west central Ohio.
- Established in 1805
- 30 miles from Columbus or Dayton; 10 miles from Springfield
- Serviced by U.S. Routes 68 and 36; within 15 miles of Interstates 70 and 75
- Blend of service, retail, manufacturing and agricultural businesses
- Miles of bike trails, hiking trails, rivers and wooded area wind its way through the county
- Population approximately 39,800; 428 square miles
- Quaint shopping, dining and art/antique shops
- Home to Warren Grimes the "father of aviation lighting"
- Well-known Champaign Countians include: William Saxbe, Clancy Brown, Johnny Appleseed and A.B. Graham
- Airport: Grimes Field (General Aviation)
- Home to Urbana University
- Destinations: Simon Kenton recreation trails, Cedar Bog, Ohio Caverns, Johnny Appleseed Museum, Mad River, Champaign County Fairgrounds, Kiser Lake State Park