|
|
|
Lifestyle: Style of Housing: |
Real Estate & Homes in Toledo - Ohio - Toledo, Ohio homes and communities Toledo Background Known as the Glass City due to its long history of innovation in many aspects of the glass industry, Toledo is a mid-sized city on the western end of Lake Erie, near the northern border of Ohio. The city straddles the Maumee River. One of many industrial-based Ohio cities, Toledo achieved some measure of fame thanks to the adoration of the character Maxwell Q. Klinger from the sitcom “M*A*S*H,” played by Jamie Farr, a real-life native of Toledo. The city is currently experiencing a shrinking population; it has lost more than 20,000 people since 1990. The city’s economy still based upon industry and manufacturing, is stable. History In 1794, General Anthony Wayne built Fort Industry on the site where Toledo now sits. The city itself, in its initial incarnation as Port Lawrence, was first settled in 1817. Toledo was founded in 1833 when Port Lawrence consolidated with nearby Vistula to facilitate the construction of a bridge across the Maumee River and avoid the river’s dangerous rapids. The city was the object of an unusual side note in United States History: the Toledo War, which took place from 1835-1836. The War was more of a skirmish, which claimed only one casualty. A badly surveyed strip of land caused both Michigan and Ohio to claim ownership of the city. Although both states sent militias to the site, hostilities never erupted. The courts decided the matter in favor of Ohio once Michigan became a state. Toledo’s reputation as a center for glass manufacturing was cemented when, in 1936, the Owens-Illinois Glass Company finished construction of the world’s first building to be completely covered in glass. The structure marked a major milestone in architectural design. Another major economic milestone for the city came in 1941, when the first Jeep rolled off the assembly line in the company’s Toledo factory, still in operation today. Fast Facts City population: 309,106 Community Toledo is a city of significant size, yet it retains a great deal of small-town unpretentiousness. Often described as “blue-collar,” the city’s reliance on industry results in reasonable housing prices and a wide spectrum of socioeconomic neighborhoods. One section in particular, the Old West End, is worth noting. It is an historic neighborhood of Victorian homes, which is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Toledo has a number of ethnic neighborhoods, including the northern Polish Village and the Hungarian neighborhood on the east side, which is home to the famous Tony Packo’s restaurant. Attractions & Arts The Toledo Museum of Art is a top-notch institution with a modest but very thorough collection. The museum features a sculpture garden, a glass pavilion, and an associated school of art & design. Just next-door world-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry designed the University of Toledo’s Center for the Visual Arts, housed in a striking modern building. Toledo is also home to a symphony orchestra, an opera company, a repertoire theater, a ballet company, and the Toledo Jazz Society, a well-known jazz-appreciation organization that sponsors festivals and concert series. The Toledo Zoo is known as one of America’s most complete zoos. It is also known for its beauty; its grounds include botanical gardens and convention facilities. Toledo also hosts a smaller version of Columbus’s COSI (Center of Science & Industry), a hands-on science museum suitable for the whole family. Sports & Recreation Toledo is home to the Toledo Mud Hens, a triple-A baseball team that is affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. The Mud Hens enjoy one of the fiercest, most loyal followings in all of minor-league baseball, drawing spectators from all over Ohio to brand-new Fifth Third Field, located in downtown’s historic warehouse district. The teams of the University of Toledo, notably the basketball team, are also a large draw for local sports fans. The Toledo Metro Parks system is extensive, featuring such sites as the Savanna State Wildlife Area, a National Center for Nature Photography located in Secor Metro Park, Wildwood Manor House and the Canal Experience at Providence Metro Park, an outdoor historic site celebrating the Miami & Erie Canal. Events Summertime in particular brings yearly events and community festivals to Toledo. The June Strawberry Festival takes place in West Toledo, and downtown plays host to the yearly Taste of Toledo. The city’s ethnic neighborhoods frequently host their own events, such as North Toledo’s Lagrange Street Polish Festival and Perrysburg’s International Festival. Toledo’s riverfront and lakefront real estate lends itself to maritime events. Notable of these are Thunder on the River, a celebration of motorcycles and powerboats, and the yearly sailing of the tall ships up the Maumee River. Dining One cannot discuss Toledo dining without mentioning Tony Packo’s. Opened in 1932 by Tony Packo, who used a $100 loan to start his business, the restaurant became known for the spicy chili sauce Tony added to his sausage sandwiches. Tony Packo’s became world-famous thanks to “M*A*S*H,” again, and the devotion of character Maxwell Klinger. The charming, unassuming restaurant also has a tradition of “bun-signing,” in which its many famous visitors sign a hot dog bun, which is then encased in plastic and mounted on the wall. The restaurant is still run by the Packo family, and its signature chili sauce is available in most supermarkets. Tony Packo’s is located in the Hungarian neighborhood on Toledo’s east side. Other notable Toledo restaurants include the Scottish pub Bagpiper’s, the Maumee Bay Brewing Company, and two excellent Lebanese restaurants: Beirut, in west Toledo, and Byblos, near the Toledo Airport. Economy Although their economies are built upon similar foundations, Toledo has not suffered the financial slings and arrows that have tormented big brother Cleveland, just a few hundred miles to the east. Most of the industries, which helped build Toledo, such as the glass industry and the manufacture of Jeeps, are still there and still thriving. Today, the median income is $32,546 for a household and $41,175 for a family, which places Toledo’s income levels above both those of Cleveland and Cincinnati but below those of Columbus, the most affluent city in the state.
Search similar Lifestyle : Search similar Housing :
|
Beach Front
Condos
