The Danberry Company

Toledo OH Area Guide

Toledo is located in Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is situated on the western end of Lake Erie, on the Michigan border. As of the 2000 census, Toledo had a population of approximately 314,000 people, making it the fourth-largest city in the state, perfect for your growing family or business.

Residents of Toledo are generally referred to as Toledoans. Toledo is known as the Glass City because of its long history of innovation in as aspects of the glass industry, including windows, bottles, windshields, construction materials, and glass art. Toledo has also been known as “The Auto Parts Capital of the World.” Several Fortune 500 automotive related companies had their headquarters in Toledo. Many large auto parts companies began in Toledo, including Champion Spark Plug, Questor, Electric AutoLite and Dana Corporation.

Toledo History

Toledo is a rich region full of history. The settling of the Northwest Territory was marked by frequent battles between the Indians and the settlers. The Toledo area was the meeting point of early Indian trails. Peter Navarre, a famed Indian scout, lived in what is now East Toledo. His work was largely responsible for Perry’s famous victory at Put-In-Bay, which is a short distance from Toledo on Lake Erie.

Port Lawrence was the first settlement, established in 1816. Another settlement named Vistula was formed in 1832 about a mile down the river. The two villages were consolidated and named Toledo. Toledo was officially incorporated on January 7, 1837.

In 1894, Charles and Ernest Tiedke established a store in East Toledo. They had a building at Summit and Monroe Streets, and they began to deliver groceries to freighters anchored at the port of Toledo. Charles and Ernest soon expanded their small food business into a department store set on the banks of the Maumee River. It was first known as Tiedtke and Todd, but eventually shortened to just Tiedtke. By 1910 the store had moved to a larger location. On the first floor alone there were restaurants, groceries, a bakery, and a delicatessen. On other floors there was clothing, a shoe department, furniture, and hardware.

Toledo Parks and Recreation

The Toledo Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to the preservation of their open spaces and parks so they can be thoroughly enjoyed by community members and visitors. The mission of the department relates primarily to nature care and education. The parks also routinely offer programs that relate to state history and area culture.

The Metroparks of the Toledo Area are a series of twelve parks in the Toledo area. They are Bend View Metropark, the Blue Creek Conservation Area, the Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Farnsworth Metropark, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Pearson’s Metropark, Providence Metropark, Secor Metropark, the Toledo Botanical Garden, Side Cut Metropark, Swan Creek Preserve Metropark, and Wildwood Preserve Metropark.

For the Metroparks website click here

For information on local parks click here

Toledo Events

Toledo is home to many spectacular events that you surely will not want to miss out on! Come take part in the city’s numerous annual events and create wonderful memories with your friends and family. Here you will find something perfect for every member in your family.

Annual All-Star Celebrity Sports Auction
The  Annual All-Star Celebrity Sports Auction event includes dinner, live and silent auctions, a speech from a wish child, and remarks from our celebrity guest speakers. There are over 300 live and silent auctions including sports memorabilia, vacations, women’s boutique items, Hollywood items, entertainment and sporting event tickets and more. All proceeds from the event will be used to help grant the wishes of children in Northwest Ohio who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions.

Annual Chili Cook Off
The  Annual Chili Cook Off benefits Mobile Meals. The event features music, a children’s area, chef demonstrations, and of course delicious chili!

Annual Glass City Marathon
The Annual Glass City Marathon is hosted by the Toledo Road Runner Club. The TRRC has planned events for the entire family to participate in and enjoy together. The events consist of a marathon run/walk, 5-person relay, 5K run/walk, kids marathon, and a half-marathon run/walk.

 Annual Taste of the Nation
Here you can come experience the delicacies of Toledo’s finest chefs and restaurateurs. Many nationally known chefs also offer their culinary talents, time, food and staff to suppose Taste of the Nation at this wine and culinary tasting gala.

Annual Claire’s Night and Claire’s Day
The Annual Claire’s Night and Claire’s Day celebrates the life of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who loved books and storytelling. Her parents created Claire’s Day in cooperation with the Maumee Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

Annual Historic Old West End Festival
The Annual Historic Old West End Festival truly has a community feel that no other local even can provide. The Old West End is one of Toledo’s most historically significant neighborhoods and provides a great backdrop for this event. The weekend long festival celebrates fine art, music, and food in the museum’s backyard.

For more information on events in the area visit the events calendar by clicking here

Toledo Attractions

Toledo is home to some of the county’s most famous attractions. Nationally acclaim roller coaster, amusement park Cedar Point Amusement Park is a short drive from Toledo. There are also many fine museums and interactive historical locations perfect for your family and friends. Come enjoy some of Toledo’s finest attractions and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Museum of Art is one of America’s finest museums. Collections range from ancient through modern times, including outstanding paintings, sculptures, glass, silver, and graphic arts.

African Safari Wildlife Park
Here at the African Safari Wildlife Park you can enjoy a day of fun, education, and entertainment. The park is home to over 400 of the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals. The pay-one-price admission includes the drive-thru safari and safari junction walk-thru. A short distance from Toledo by car.

Cedar Point Amusement Park
Cedar Point boasts an unheard of 17 roller coasters! Here you’ll find 3 of the top 10 steel roller coasters in the world. A fabulous water park set on the shores of Lake Erie invites park goers each year to enjoy the water. Cedar Point is the perfect playground for all ages! Less than an hour by car from Toledo

Fort Meigs
Fort Meigs is a War of 1812 battlefield. The reconstructed fort and museum help bring history alive! Fort Meigs offers school tours, interactive displays, and a number of reenactments and special events.

Henry Ford
The Henry Ford Museum is America’s largest indoor/outdoor museum is located approximately 40 minutes from Toledo by car. The museum tells the story of the country’s evolution from a rural to an industrial society. Visitors can tour the historic homes and workplaces of famous American’s such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, George Washington Carver and the Wright Brothers. A wonderful day spent stepping by into history.

S.S. Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship
The S.S. Willis B. Boyer Ship was launched in 1911. The one largest freighter on the Great Lakes has been restored for your pleasure. Visitors can view the engine room, officer’s dining room, stainless steel gallery and the captain’s quarters.

Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is known as America’s most complete zoo. Savanna to underground observation tanks, provide you the opportunity to see the animals in there most natural habitats.  Here you can enjoy an afternoon picnic or an all day affair! Create an event to remember in one of the ten rental facilities. Summer Sunday evenings at the Zoo Amphitheatre you can attend a free concert under the stars. The Lights Before Christmas display is one that brings folks back year after year.

For more information on other attractions in the area click here

For more information on Toledo OH visit the official website by clicking here

For the Toledo Conventions & Visitors Bureau website click here

For the Toledo Chamber of Commerce website click here

Maumee Area Guide
Perrysburg Area Guide