Mount Gilead, Ohio | |
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 Location of Mount Gilead, Ohio | |
 Location of Mount Gilead in Morrow County | |
| Coordinates:40°33′12″N82°49′41″W / 40.55333°N 82.82806°W /40.55333; -82.82806 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Morrow |
| Township | Gilead |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2) |
| • Land | 3.39 sq mi (8.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.012 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,145 ft (349 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 3,503 |
| • Density | 1,034.3/sq mi (399.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 43338 |
| Area code | 419 |
| FIPS code | 39-52738[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2399412[2] |
| Website | http://www.mountgilead.net/ |
Mount Gilead is avillage in and thecounty seat ofMorrow County, Ohio, United States. It is located 41 miles (66 km) northeast ofColumbus. The population was 3,503 at the2020 census. It is thecenter of population of Ohio.[4][5] The village was established in 1832, eight years after whitesettlers arrived in the region. Before their arrival, the forest was a hunting area for theShawnee tribe.
Located in the center of the village is Morrow County's historicWorld War I Victory Memorial Shaft, unique in the United States, andMount Gilead State Park is nearby onState Route 95. Other areas drawingtourism include theAmish farms, shops and stores east of Mount Gilead, nearChesterville and Johnsville. Mount Gilead is also home to the OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital.
The first settler to make Mount Gilead (Mt. Gilead) home was Lewis Hardenbrook, in 1817, though it was then called Whetstone and was located inMarion County. In 1824, Judge Jacob Young drew out the village; the plan consisted of 80 lots and also included a public square. Several years later, in 1832, Henry Ustick added 70 lots to the village as well as an additional public square. The original public square was then referred to as the south square and the newer square, the north square. Many years later, in 1919, the north public square would become home to the Victory Shaft World War I Monument. This monument was given to the county for having the highest per capita war bond sales during a two-year period.[6] Charles Webster built the first cabin in the village in December 1824. He served as the first Postmaster and operated the Post Office from the cabin, as well. In 1832, a measure was proposed to change the name of the town. Residents were asked to vote between the names Warsaw and Mt. Gilead. Mt. Gilead was chosen by a significant margin and the village was incorporated by state legislature several years later in 1839.[7]
In 1848, Mt. Gilead was almost unanimously chosen to be the county seat for the newly formedMorrow County, Ohio. Morrow County was formed from parts of surroundingMarion,Knox,Richland, andDelaware counties. Given the village's elevated status as the county seat, village leaders enhanced many areas of the town's appearance by creating streets clearing them and performing other improvements.[8]
Soon after being named county seat, there was talk of building a rail line that would pass through Mt. Gilead betweenCleveland andColumbus. Officials opened stock purchases and began preparations for the build. Tensions between villagers and railroad officials broke down the negotiations and the rail station was re-located toCardington, several miles south of Mt. Gilead, and opened for business in 1851. The railroad would pass Mt. Gilead two miles to the west, in what is now known asEdison. Nearly 30 years later, Mt. Gilead did get a rail spur through the village, namedMt. Gilead Short Line Railway. The Short Line opened in 1880.[7]
From its beginnings, industry has been a main support for Mt. Gilead. Various mills were an early staple in the village history, followed by a tile factory and with technological advances, eventually the still well knownHydraulic Press Manufacturing Company or HPM.[7] HPM maintained some level of operations in Mt. Gilead until 2001.[9]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.40 square miles (8.81 km2), of which, 3.39 square miles (8.78 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[10]
Mount Gilead is considered to be a part of "Mid Ohio."
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 646 | — | |
| 1860 | 789 | 22.1% | |
| 1870 | 1,087 | 37.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,216 | 11.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,329 | 9.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,528 | 15.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,673 | 9.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,837 | 9.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,871 | 1.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,008 | 7.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,351 | 17.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,788 | 18.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,971 | 6.6% | |
| 1980 | 2,865 | −3.6% | |
| 1990 | 2,846 | −0.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,290 | 15.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,660 | 11.2% | |
| 2020 | 3,503 | −4.3% | |
| Sources:[11][12][13] | |||
As of thecensus[14] of 2010, there were 3,660 people, 1,482 households, and 875 families residing in the village. Thepopulation density was 1,079.6 inhabitants per square mile (416.8/km2). There were 1,658 housing units at an average density of 489.1 per square mile (188.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 97.1%White, 0.1%Native American, 0.2%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 2.0% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 1,482 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% weremarried couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.0% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
The median age in the village was 36.9 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
As of thecensus[3] of 2000, there were 3,290 people, 1,291 households, and 843 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,035.7 inhabitants per square mile (399.9/km2). There were 1,354 housing units at an average density of 426.3 per square mile (164.6/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 97.78%White, 0.12%Native American, 0.24%Asian, 0.30% fromother races, 1.06%Black, and 0.49% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 1,291 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% weremarried couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $31,894, and the median income for a family was $42,529. Males had a median income of $35,714 versus $22,425 for females. Theper capita income for the village was $19,064. About 10.1% of families and 13.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
According to A.J. Baughman'sHistory of Morrow County, Ohio (1911), early population data is as follows:
| Year | 1850 | 1860 | 1870 | 1880 | 1890 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 646 | 789 | 1,087 | 1,216 | 1,329 |
Four properties in Mount Gilead are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places: thefloral hall at the county fairgrounds,Levering Hall, theMorrow County Courthouse, and theJames S. Trimble House.[15] Levering Hall in particular is distinguished by its ornateItalianate architecture and its place as the center of community life for several decades.[16]
The Victory Shaft was erected in Mount Gilead'stown square in December 1919, followingWorld War I. It was presented as a gift from thefederal government to Morrow County citizens to thank them for purchasing morewar bonds per capita than any other county.Warren G. Harding, aSenator who would later be electedPresident, was thekeynote speaker at the dedication.
Mount Gilead is governed by amayor and council. As of 2025, the mayor is Donna Carver.[17]
The city has a public lending library, theMount Gilead Public Library.
Mt. Gilead had two media sources available to them in the 19th century,Democratic Messenger andThe Whig Sentinel. Both papers began publishing in 1848 and both papers experienced a name change around 1860 with The Sentinel becomingThe Morrow County Sentinel and The Messenger becomingThe Union Register. The Union Register was published until 1971, while the Morrow County Sentinel is still in existence today.
{{citation}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help);US Census, 1970, 1973;US Census, 2000,ISBN 9781428986060;"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau. RetrievedDecember 31, 2013.
Mount Gilead travel guide from WikivoyageMunicipalities and communities ofMorrow 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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