Bellefontaine, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 Logan County Courthouse in Bellefontaine | |
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
| Nickname: The Peak of Ohio | |
 Interactive map of Bellefontaine, Ohio | |
  Bellefontaine  Bellefontaine | |
| Coordinates:40°22′10″N83°45′18″W / 40.36944°N 83.75500°W /40.36944; -83.75500 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Logan |
| Founded | 1817 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | David Crissman (R)[citation needed] |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.10 sq mi (26.17 km2) |
| • Land | 10.10 sq mi (26.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,240 ft (380 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 14,115 |
• Estimate (2023)[2] | 14,073 |
| • Density | 1,397.1/sq mi (539.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 43311 |
| Area codes | 937, 326 |
| FIPS code | 39-05130[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394116[3] |
| Website | ci.bellefontaine.oh.us |
Bellefontaine (/bɛlˈfaʊntən/bel-FOWN-tən[5]) is a city inLogan County, Ohio, United States, and itscounty seat.[6] Located 48 miles (77 km) northwest ofColumbus, the population was 14,115 at the2020 census. It is the principal city of theBellefontaine micropolitan area, which includes all of Logan County. The highest point in Ohio,Campbell Hill, is within the city limits.
The name Bellefontaine means "beautiful spring" inFrench, and is purported to refer to several springs in the area.[7] However, locally, the original French pronunciation is not used, and it is pronounced "bell fountain."
Around 1777, theShawnee war chiefBlue Jacket (Weyapiersenwah) built a settlement here, known as "Blue Jacket's Town". Blue Jacket and his band had previously occupied a village along theScioto River, but theAmerican Revolutionary War had reached theOhio Country. Blue Jacket and otherAmerican Indians who took up arms against theAmerican revolutionaries relocated in order to be closer to their British allies atDetroit.
After the United States gained independence, its forces continued warfare against former Indian allies of the British. Blue Jacket's Town was destroyed inLogan's Raid, conducted by Kentucky militia in 1786 at the outset of theNorthwest Indian War. The expedition was led byBenjamin Logan, namesake of Logan County. Blue Jacket and his followers relocated further northwest to theMaumee River.[8]
Beginning in the 1800s,American Revolutionary Warveterans and others fromVirginia and elsewhere began settling in the area of Blue Jacket's Town. Bellefontaine is on or near the edge of theVirginia Military District, where the cash-poor government granted tracts of land to veterans in payment for their services during the war. TheTreaty of Greenville defined lands to be held by European Americans as separate from those to be held by natives but it was poorly administered in the area and whites frequently encroached on native lands.[8]
Bellefontaine wasplatted by European Americans in 1820 and incorporated by the legislature in 1835.[9][10][11]In 1837, the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad built the first railroad to Bellefontaine. This began its reputation as a railroading town. In the 1890s theCleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway (also called the Big Four Railroad) built a main terminal in the city. This terminal boasted the largestroundhouse between New York andSt. Louis.[12]
Though railroading hit hard times and the industry went through radical restructuring in the late 20th century, and the Big Four terminal ceased operations in 1983, Bellefontaine remains a landmark on America's railways. The city is now just a thoroughfare for CSX.
In 1891, Bellefontaine became the location of the firstconcrete street in America.George Bartholomew invented a process for paving usingPortland cement, which until then had been used in stone construction. A small section of Main Street, on the west side of theLogan County Courthouse, was the first to be paved using that process. When that proved successful,Court Avenue, which runs along the south side of the courthouse, was paved with concrete. While Main Street is now paved with asphalt, Court Avenue has retained its original concrete pavement for more than 100 years. At its centennial, the street was closed to vehicular traffic and a statue of Bartholomew placed at its Main Street end; it became a pedestrian way. Since then one lane has been reopened for eastbound traffic.
In 1979,Honda beganmanufacturing motorcycles in the nearby city ofMarysville, Ohio. Since that time, Honda's operations in the Bellefontaine area have greatly expanded. Bellefontaine is a central location among Honda operations in Marysville,East Liberty,Russells Point,Anna, andTroy, Ohio. Honda is Bellefontaine's largest employer in the early 21st century.
U.S. Route 68 intersects with State Routes47 and540 in Bellefontaine.U.S. Route 33, afreeway that hasinterchanges with US 68 and SR 540, skirts the northern edge of the city.
To European settlers,Campbell Hill was first known as Hogue's Hill, perhaps a misspelling of Solomon Hoge's surname, the person who first deeded the land in 1830. In 1898, the land was sold to Charles D. Campbell, in whose name Campbell Hill is now known. Campbell sold the hill and surrounding land to August Wagner.
In 1950, the family of August Wagner deeded Campbell Hill and the surrounding 57.5acres to theU.S. government. The government stationed the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron on the hill in 1951. This military unit was responsible for monitoring for possibleaerospace attacks from theSoviet Union during theCold War. The 664th AC&WS and similar military units were eventually superseded by theNorth American Aerospace Defense Command (or NORAD). The base in Bellefontaine was closed in 1969.
The Ohio Hi-Point Vocational-Technical District opened a school atop the hill in 1974. The school is now known as theOhio Hi-Point Career Center.
In 2012 local real estate developer Small Nation purchased and renovated the former J.C. Penney building. Since then, the organization invested over $33 million in renovating over 56 downtown buildings and attracting new businesses to the area.[13][14] The investment into the properties created roughly 200 jobs in the city.[14] In 2018, Bellefontaine was classified as anOpportunity Zone to further attract investors to the area.[15] Neighboring areas have begun using Bellefontaine as a model to attract more investment in their own towns.[16]
In 2022, Bellefontaine was named one of Ohio's Best Hometowns by Ohio Magazine for its downtown redevelopment efforts, thriving sense of community and appreciation for preserving local history.[17]
In 2022, Bellefontaine's Christmas parade included adrag queen and over 60 residents opposed their appearance at a City Council meeting,[18] prompting drag queens and supporters attending a later council meeting in support.[19] In 2023, the opposing residents began pushing for a city ordinance that would classify drag performances as ‘adult entertainment,' making it one of the first municipalities in Ohio to do so.[20] The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled to remove the measure from the ballot when petitioners changed the ballot language after circulating petitions.[21]
According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 10.04 square miles (26.0 km2), all land.[22]
The city of Bellefontaine is at the convergence of thehumid subtropical (KöppenCfa) andhumid continental (KöppenDfa) climate zones according to the Köppen climate map. The region is characterized by four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold with mild periods, and summers are generally hot and muggy, with significant precipitation year-round. The city is too far south to experience lake effect snow from theGreat Lakes region, however it does experience more snow than surrounding areas due to the city's elevation. Traditionally, Bellefontaine's elevation excludes it from tornadoes and floods that affect the majority of theMiami Valley.
| Climate data for Bellefontaine, Ohio, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71 (22) | 72 (22) | 85 (29) | 90 (32) | 97 (36) | 101 (38) | 106 (41) | 104 (40) | 98 (37) | 90 (32) | 80 (27) | 71 (22) | 106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 57.0 (13.9) | 60.5 (15.8) | 69.8 (21.0) | 78.6 (25.9) | 85.8 (29.9) | 90.7 (32.6) | 90.7 (32.6) | 89.4 (31.9) | 88.5 (31.4) | 81.3 (27.4) | 68.2 (20.1) | 59.7 (15.4) | 92.4 (33.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.5 (0.8) | 37.1 (2.8) | 47.5 (8.6) | 60.7 (15.9) | 71.3 (21.8) | 79.5 (26.4) | 82.6 (28.1) | 81.3 (27.4) | 76.0 (24.4) | 63.7 (17.6) | 49.9 (9.9) | 38.4 (3.6) | 60.1 (15.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.5 (−3.6) | 28.4 (−2.0) | 38.0 (3.3) | 49.8 (9.9) | 60.9 (16.1) | 69.7 (20.9) | 72.8 (22.7) | 71.4 (21.9) | 65.2 (18.4) | 53.1 (11.7) | 41.0 (5.0) | 31.0 (−0.6) | 50.6 (10.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 17.6 (−8.0) | 19.7 (−6.8) | 28.5 (−1.9) | 38.8 (3.8) | 50.6 (10.3) | 59.9 (15.5) | 63.0 (17.2) | 61.5 (16.4) | 54.4 (12.4) | 42.5 (5.8) | 32.1 (0.1) | 23.6 (−4.7) | 41.0 (5.0) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −4.4 (−20.2) | 1.3 (−17.1) | 10.0 (−12.2) | 22.9 (−5.1) | 35.5 (1.9) | 45.8 (7.7) | 52.5 (11.4) | 50.5 (10.3) | 40.5 (4.7) | 28.4 (−2.0) | 17.5 (−8.1) | 5.1 (−14.9) | −7.7 (−22.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (−33) | −21 (−29) | −12 (−24) | 9 (−13) | 23 (−5) | 34 (1) | 41 (5) | 38 (3) | 25 (−4) | 11 (−12) | −6 (−21) | −22 (−30) | −27 (−33) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.04 (77) | 2.46 (62) | 3.20 (81) | 4.11 (104) | 4.31 (109) | 4.96 (126) | 4.45 (113) | 3.90 (99) | 3.18 (81) | 2.82 (72) | 3.13 (80) | 3.08 (78) | 42.64 (1,082) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 14.5 | 12.1 | 12.7 | 13.4 | 13.6 | 12.5 | 10.6 | 9.0 | 9.4 | 10.0 | 10.5 | 13.1 | 141.4 |
| Source 1: NOAA[23] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[24] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 170 | — | |
| 1830 | 266 | 56.5% | |
| 1840 | 475 | 78.6% | |
| 1850 | 1,222 | 157.3% | |
| 1860 | 2,599 | 112.7% | |
| 1870 | 3,182 | 22.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,998 | 25.6% | |
| 1890 | 4,245 | 6.2% | |
| 1900 | 6,649 | 56.6% | |
| 1910 | 8,238 | 23.9% | |
| 1920 | 9,336 | 13.3% | |
| 1930 | 9,543 | 2.2% | |
| 1940 | 9,808 | 2.8% | |
| 1950 | 10,232 | 4.3% | |
| 1960 | 11,424 | 11.6% | |
| 1970 | 11,255 | −1.5% | |
| 1980 | 11,798 | 4.8% | |
| 1990 | 12,142 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 13,069 | 7.6% | |
| 2010 | 13,370 | 2.3% | |
| 2020 | 14,115 | 5.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,073 | [2] | −0.3% |
| Sources:[4][25][26] | |||
As of the2020 census, Bellefontaine had a population of 14,115. The median age was 36.2 years; 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.2 males age 18 and over.[27]
98.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.6% lived in rural areas.[28]
There were 5,912 households in Bellefontaine, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.7% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[27]
There were 6,372 housing units, of which 7.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 54.4% were owner-occupied and 45.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%.[27]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 11,920 | 84.4% |
| Black or African American | 538 | 3.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 46 | 0.3% |
| Asian | 190 | 1.3% |
| Native Hawaiian andOther Pacific Islander | 8 | 0.1% |
| Some other race | 290 | 2.1% |
| Two or more races | 1,123 | 8.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 593 | 4.2% |
As of thecensus[30] of 2010, there were 13,370 people, 5,415 households, and 3,420 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,331.7 inhabitants per square mile (514.2/km2). There were 6,115 housing units at an average density of 609.1 per square mile (235.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.1%White, 4.3%African American, 0.2%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.5% fromother races, and 3.7% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 5,415 households, of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% weremarried couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.
The median age in the city was 34.8 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 13,069 people, 5,319 households, and 3,436 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,491.3 inhabitants per square mile (575.8/km2). There were 5,722 housing units at an average density of 652.9 per square mile (252.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.82%White, 5.13%African American, 0.15%Native American, 0.93%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.53% fromother races, and 2.40% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 5,319 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% weremarried couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
Themedian income for a household in the city was $37,189, and the median income for a family was $43,778. Theper capita income for the city was $20,917. About 19.9% of families and 23.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 38.9% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those ages 65 and older.
Bellefontaine is the center of theBellefontaine Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Thismicropolis consists solely ofLogan County, Ohio. The 2000census[4] found 46,005 people in the micropolis, making it the 260th most populous such area in the United States. Among all U.S. statistical areas (CBSAs), the Bellefontaine micropolis ranks 622nd. InOhio, the Bellefontaine micropolis is the 37th most populous CBSA, and the 21st most populous micropolitan statistical area.
By comparison, the least populousmetropolitan area in the United States,Carson City, Nevada, has 52,457 residents. The least populous metropolitan area in Ohio isSandusky, with 79,555 residents. The Bellefontaine micropolis is not as populous as these, but does have a greater population than some micropolitan statistical areas traditionally considered to be small regional cities. (Examples:El Dorado, Arkansas;Clovis, New Mexico; andRed Wing, Minnesota.)
Though official definitions of micropolitan statistical areas did not exist until 2003, the area now constituting the Bellefontaine micropolis grew in population by 8.7 percent between 1990 and 2000.
Bellefontaine has an electedmayor andcity council style of government.
Bellefontaine City Council Members serve 2 year terms. The city has 4 wards and 3 At-Large seats.[32]
| Position/Ward | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| President | Zebulon Wagner | R |
| 1 | John G. Aler | R |
| 2 | Jordan Reser | R |
| 3 | Nick Davis | R |
| 4 | MacKenzie Meyers Fitzpatrick | D |
| At-Large | Deborah E. Baker | R |
| At-Large | Jenna James | R |
| At-Large | Kyle Springs | R |
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The Logan County Historical Society and museum was first housed in the McBeth School, built in 1919 as the last of the four elementary schools to be built in Bellefontaine at the turn of the century. The building was sold atpublic auction in 1957 to theChurch of God. In 1971 McBeth School was purchased by the Logan County Historical Society for use as the Logan County Historical Museum. The historical society eventually grew out of the 3-story building and moved to its current home closer to Downtown. McBeth School has been adapted for use as an apartment building.[35]
Today the museum includes the Orr mansion, former home of the local Orr family; as well as an extension to the mansion that includes history exhibits from around the county. The Mansion portion of the building has been completely restored by the historical society. Day-to-day operations in the museum and The Logan County Historical Society are supported by a Logan County tax levy and donations received from visitors to the museum.
TheBellefontaine Regional Airport is located about 5 miles from the downtown business district. The airport replaced theBellefontaine Municipal Airport in 2002 and is one of 2 new airports opened to the public in Ohio in the past 30 years.[36]
U.S. 68 passes north-south through Bellefontaine.U.S. 33 passes through the north side of Bellefontaine.Ohio State Route 47 passes through the city.
Bellefontaine had been part of theNew York Central Railroad's St. Louis - Indianapolis - Cleveland corridor of passenger trains.[37] Up to 1966, the New York Central ran theSouthwestern Limited (St. Louis - New York City via Cleveland) through Bellefontaine. The city was also a crossing point for the New York Central's Detroit - Cincinnati trains. The last of these (Ohio Special southbound,Michigan Special northbound) ended in 1958 or 1959.[38] The final train running through Bellefontaine, thePenn Central's Indianapolis - Cleveland remnant of theSouthwestern Limited, ended in 1971, upon Amtrak taking up private companies' long distance passenger operations.
TheBellefontaine City Schools operate oneelementary school, one intermediate school, onemiddle school, and onehigh school in the area.[39] These schools have a combined enrollment of 2,840. In addition, theOhio Hi-Point Career Center, located atop Campbell Hill, offers both secondary andpost-secondary education. Enrolled at Ohio Hi-Point are 505 students. The neighboringBenjamin Logan Local School District campus also has a Bellefontaine address.
Several colleges and universities operate satellite campuses in the Bellefontaine area. These include:
Bellefontaine has a public library, a branch of Logan County Libraries.[40]
The city is served by both print publishing and radio broadcasting.
TheBellefontaine Examiner is the daily local newspaper. It is the latest in a series of newspapers which have been published in Bellefontaine since 1831. It has a current daily circulation of approximately 9500 copies.[41]
Operating currently areWPKO, anFM radio station, WPKO HD2, a second FM radio station, and its sister stationWBLL, anAM radio station. These stations are owned and operated byV-Teck Communications.[42]
Two Christian radio stationsWKEN, an FM radio station operating on FM frequency of 88.5 andWSOH, an FM radio station operating on FM frequency of 88.9. These stations are owned and operated by Soaring Eagle Promotions, Inc.[43]
Municipalities and communities ofLogan County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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