Auglaize County is located in northwest Ohio and is a part of the Great Miami River Watershed. The county is bordered by Allen, Mercer, Shelby, Logan, Hardin, and Hancock Counties. Auglaize County covers an area of 454 square miles and has a population of over 45,000 people.
The county is comprised of wooded hillsides, rolling farmlands, and wetlands. The landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills that rise up to 500 feet above sea level. These hills are covered in a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees such as oak, hickory, maple and beech. There are numerous creeks and rivers that flow through the area including the Auglaize River which flows southward through the center of the county before emptying into Grand Lake St Marys near the southern border.
The climate in Auglaize County is generally mild with temperatures ranging from hot summers to cold winters with occasional snowfall during winter months. Rainfall averages around 36 inches per year with most precipitation occurring in spring and summer months.
Agriculture plays an important role in Auglaize County’s economy with corn being the main crop grown here followed by wheat, soybeans, hay and oats. Other industries such as manufacturing, logistics and healthcare have also made their presence felt over recent years helping to diversify the local economy even further.
In addition to its agricultural offerings Auglaize County also offers plenty of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. One can take advantage of several parks scattered throughout the region which offer camping facilities along with hiking trails for exploration or fishing spots for anglers looking to catch some trout or bass from one of its many lakes or streams. The nearby Grand Lake St Marys State Park provides access to swimming beaches as well as boating activities on its lake while Wapakoneta WaterPark provides hours of fun for all ages with its array of waterslides and pools.
Auglaize County has something for everyone whether you’re looking to enjoy nature or take advantage of one its many attractions there’s sure to be something here that meets your needs.
Country seat and other main cities of Auglaize County, Ohio
The county seat of Auglaize County is Wapakoneta, a city of just over 9,000 people. Wapakoneta is the largest city in the county and serves as its main commercial hub. The city has a long history dating back to 1808 when it was first founded by Moravian settlers from Pennsylvania. Today, Wapakoneta has a vibrant downtown area with numerous shops and restaurants as well as the Armstrong Air and Space Museum which celebrates local astronaut Neil Armstrong’s connection to the city.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, the second-largest city in Auglaize County is St. Marys, home to around 8,500 people. St. Marys is located on the shores of Grand Lake St Marys and serves as the gateway to one of Ohio’s largest state parks. The town was founded in 1844 by German immigrants who named it after their patron saint, Mary Magdalene. Today, visitors can explore its historic downtown area or take advantage of one of its many recreational activities such as fishing or boating on Grand Lake St Marys or visiting one of its nearby parks or golf courses.
Other cities in Auglaize County include Minster, New Bremen, Waynesfield and Cridersville with populations ranging from around 1,400 up to nearly 4,000 people. Each of these cities offers visitors something unique whether it’s exploring Minster’s old-world charm or visiting Waynesfield for its annual Tomato Festival there’s sure to be something for everyone here.
In addition to these cities Auglaize County also boasts numerous smaller towns such as Buckland which is home to just over 500 people or Uniopolis which has a population of around 300 people yet still manages to have an impressive array of amenities including two churches and a small grocery store.
Auglaize County truly has something for everyone whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities or simply want to explore some small-town charm this area has it all.
History of Auglaize County, Ohio
Auglaize County, Ohio has a long and rich history that dates back to 1848 when it was first organized from portions of Allen and Mercer counties. It is named for the Auglaize River, which flows through the county and was named by French traders in the 17th century. The county is home to several small towns and villages, as well as larger cities like Wapakoneta, St. Marys and Minster.
The area was first occupied by Native Americans in the late 17th century, with many tribes such as the Shawnee, Ottawa and Wyandot living in the area during this time period. In 1795, a treaty was signed between some of these tribes and US government representatives which established boundaries for a reservation that encompassed much of present-day Auglaize County.
Immigrants began settling in the area in the early 19th century with German settlers coming to St. Marys around 1844 and Moravian settlers arriving in Wapakoneta in 1808. Agriculture quickly became an important part of life for many of these settlers with wheat being one of the most successful crops grown here at this time.
In 1861 Auglaize County officially became part of Ohio after it had been included within a portion of Michigan Territory prior to statehood for Ohio. During this time period numerous industries began to develop including brick-making, sawmilling and other wood-based industries as well as glass manufacturing which continues to be an important economic factor here today.
Today, Auglaize County remains a vibrant community with numerous attractions such as Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Grand Lake St Marys State Park and numerous small towns such as Buckland or Uniopolis that offer visitors a unique glimpse into rural life here in Ohio. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities or simply want to explore some small-town charm Auglaize County truly has something for everyone.
Economy of Auglaize County, Ohio
The economy of Auglaize County, Ohio is diverse and vibrant, with a variety of industries providing employment opportunities for local residents. Agriculture remains an important part of the county’s economy, with wheat, corn, soybeans and hay being some of the most commonly grown crops. Other agricultural products include dairy products, eggs, poultry and pork. Livestock such as cattle and sheep are also raised in the area.
Manufacturing is another major industry in Auglaize County with companies like Honda of America Manufacturing Inc., Armstrong Air & Space Museum and Crown Equipment Corporation all having plants located here. In addition to these larger companies there are numerous smaller businesses that provide jobs in industries such as plastics manufacturing, metal fabrication and printing services.
The service sector is also an important part of the local economy with many businesses providing tourism related services to visitors coming to the area. This includes hotels, restaurants and other attractions such as Grand Lake St Marys State Park or Armstrong Air & Space Museum which draw people from all over Ohio and beyond.
Auglaize County has a wide variety of retail outlets ranging from small family-owned stores to big box stores like Walmart or Target. Shopping malls such as Lima Mall are also located within the county giving shoppers plenty of options when it comes time to buy something new.
Finally, Auglaize County is home to several higher education institutions including Ohio State University at Lima and Wright State University Lake Campus which both offer degree programs in a variety of fields for students looking to further their education after high school graduation.
Overall, Auglaize County’s economy offers citizens a wide range of job opportunities across multiple industries that can provide them with a good quality of life here in Ohio.