Fostoria, Ohio
Fostoria, Ohio
Main page
2262782

Fostoria, Ohio

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
2262782

Fostoria, Ohio

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
What are your thoughts?
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Fostoria, Ohio

Fostoria (/fɒsˈtʊərə/, foss-TORR-EE-ə) is a city located at the convergence of Hancock, Seneca, and Wood counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 13,046 at the 2020 census, slightly down from 13,441 at the 2010 census. It is approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Toledo and 90 miles (140 km) north of Columbus. The community grew substantially during the end of the 19th century, coinciding with the northwest Ohio gas boom. Typical of Rust Belt cities, Fostoria peaked in size in 1970.

Fostoria was a major site for the glass industry, having over a dozen glass factories during the end of the 19th century. As the area's gas supply became depleted, many of the factories closed or moved. The city is now known for its railroads, as approximately 100 trains pass through the city each day. As a result, the city is often visited by railfans, hosted by a railroad viewing park.

Fostoria was created in 1854 with the merger of the communities of Rome and Risdon. The combination of both communities' Methodist churches, on land donated by Charles W. Foster, led to the merger. To show their appreciation for Mr. Foster's generosity, the new community was named Fostoria. Charles W. Foster's son, Charles, became one of Fostoria's most famous citizens—becoming the 35th governor of Ohio and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Benjamin Harrison.

Fostoria is known for its glass heritage and railroads: two CSX main lines and one NS main line intersect in downtown Fostoria, an area called the "Iron Triangle." A natural gas boom in the 1880s, the railroad lines, and recruiting efforts by the community caused Fostoria to become home for numerous glass factories, including the Mambourg Glass Company (the city's first glass factory), the Fostoria Glass Company, the Seneca Glass Company, the Novelty Glass Company, and others.

Although the boom in gas and glass is long over, railroads continue to be important to the community. More than 100 trains pass through Fostoria each day. The Fostoria Railroad Preservation Society, aided by a $815,760 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, completed a train viewing park in 2013 to help capitalize on the thousands of railfans who visit yearly.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.77 square miles (20.12 km2), of which 7.55 square miles (19.55 km2) is land and 0.22 square miles (0.57 km2) is water.

As of the 2020 census, Fostoria had a population of 13,046. The median age was 39.4 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.9 males age 18 and over.

99.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.7% lived in rural areas.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.