Findlay

Brief History of Findlay

During the War of 1812, Colonel James Findlay built a stockade fort along the Blanchard River in a remote region of northwest Ohio. After the war, the fort was dismantled, and a town developed in its place. The fort and subsequent town were named in honor of Findlay.

Findlay experienced a population boom in the 1880s as the center of a bustling oil and natural gas industry. In 1905, the Marathon Oil Corporation was founded in Findlay. The headquarters remained in the city until 1990, when it moved to Houston, Texas.

Although Marathon Oil Corporation and Cooper Tires eventually left Findlay, the population continues to grow. Findlay is the second-largest city in northwest Ohio after Toledo, with a population of 40,000.

Downtown Findlay is a short drive from Interstate 75. It’s a surprisingly large city, a fact that took me by surprise during my epic road trip from Toledo to Cincinnati. Fortunately, it’s one of those cities large enough to have plenty to do and still offers free parking on almost every block.

Begin your downtown exploration at the stunning Hancock County Courthouse. Completed in 1888, the towering building features a few bronze statues. A statue of John Hancock is fixed on the highest point. Guided courthouse tours are offered throughout the week but must be booked in advance.

Findlay is an easily walkable city with wide sidewalks, plenty of crosswalks, and everything within a ten-minute walk. Park anywhere and plan to spend about two hours shopping, eating, and sightseeing.