Visiting the Heart of the Hocking Hills in Logan, next in our Ohio Community Spotlight
Each month, we feature a different Ohio city as part of our #GOPCThread Series, Ohio Community Spotlight. This month, we highlight the city of Logan!
Wilmington was the last feature of our #OhCommunitySpotlight. The next to stand in the spotlight is the City of Logan, the county seat of Hocking County which has been very busy lately! #GOPCThread
The town’s name is meant to honor Chief Logan of the Mingo tribe, who led the area prior to European settlement. The Mingo people are an Iroquoian group of Native Americans, who migrated west from New York in the mid-18th century.
Statue of Chief Logan. Photo Source.
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This City of Logan was established by Governor Thomas Worthington in 1816, 13 years after Ohio statehood. It has been the county seat of Hocking County since the county was established in 1818. It was incorporated as a city in 1839.
Hocking County Courthouse. Photo Source.
The City of Logan is home to the Columbus Washboard Company, the only remaining washboard manufacturing company in the U.S. Though not used much in the U.S., they remain an important laundry tool in many parts of the world.
The washboard can also be used as a musical instrument. Every year, Logan honors the washboard over Father’s Day Weekend by hosting the Logan Washboard Arts & Music Festival, featuring artists, kids activities, music performances and more!
The City of Logan is also known for its beautiful and lively greenspaces, which attract all manner of visitors. The city has spent the last decade prioritizing beautification efforts, tapping into a variety of state and federal funding mechanisms.
Lake Logan. Photo courtesy of Explore Hocking Hills.
One such mechanism is the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which provides funding for active transportation projects, such as on- and off-road facilities for pedestrians and bikers, as well as community improvement projects.
TAP grants have been used effectively in Logan for the installation of sidewalks, trees and streetlights to provide a welcoming environment for the downtown. #GOPCThread
Streetscape in Downtown Logan. Photo Source.
Earlier this year, City of Logan was also able to secure $14.3M in funding via the Appalachian Community Grant Program. The money will also go toward multiple projects to help downtown revitalization efforts, including pedestrian safety projects.
Development of parks has been a large step in accommodating the growth of economic activity the city has experienced. Mingo Park Project Foundation worked to preserve and revitalize Mingo Park as a beautiful attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Mingo Park. Photo by the Logan Daily.
Tourism is a major driver of the local economy in Logan. The city sits within the Hocking Hills area, featuring cliffs, gorges, rock shelters, and waterfalls. Hocking Hills State Park is among the most popular in Ohio
Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park. Photo Source.
Because of the popularity of the area, tourism is a notable industry in Logan, with the city and surrounding area hosting many private inns, campgrounds, cabins, restaurants, and other related industries, including ziplining
Ecotourism prioritizes conservation, community and sustainability, which aligns well with the tenants of smart growth strategies for communities. Read more about smart growth strategy from Smart Growth America.
With fall just around the corner, it would be a great time to visit Logan and see all that this community at the Heart of the Hocking Hills has to offer #GOPCThread