Fostoria (/fɒsˈtʊəriːə/, foss-TORR-EE-ə) is a city located at the convergence of Hancock, Seneca, and Wood counties[5] in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio.

The community grew substantially during the end of the 19th century, coinciding with the northwest Ohio gas boom.

As a result, the city is often visited by railfans, hosted by a railroad viewing park.

[5][8] The combination of both communities' Methodist churches, on land donated by Charles W. Foster, led to the merger.

[9] 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."

[10] Although the boom in gas and glass is long over, railroads continue to be important to the community.

[11] 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.

The city is the site where the Norfolk Southern Railway's ex-Nickel Plate Road mainline crosses the previously mentioned CSX ex-B&O and ex-C&O lines.

The area is a popular spot for railfans and has a park located in the center between the three mainlines.

The City of Fostoria operates a community public water system that serves a population of approximately 15,000 people and has 5,500 metered service connections.

The system also has three groundwater wells that currently serve as the back-up source for the city.