It was not until Colonel James Kilbourne decided to "lay out a town half way between Columbus and the Lakes" that the crossroads of Portland and Main street were settled by the Hosford family.
[12] On April 30, 1882, in Galion, Ohio, a mob of around 2,000 people took Frank Fisher, an African American man accused of raping a white woman, from the town jail and lynched him.
Residents faced higher taxes and utility costs, while volunteers stepped in to clean parks and fund community events.
[14] Bauer, who had been finance director since 1985, admitted to stealing money due to a gambling addiction and credit card problems.
[14] The State Auditor placed Galion in fiscal emergency, appointing a board to help the city recover financially, which was expected to take five years.
City officials, who trusted Bauer due to his longstanding reputation, implemented new financial safeguards to prevent future fraud.
Galion was also once home to North Electric Company, a prime supplier of telephone switching systems for government and international markets.
The Galion Community Theatre (GCT), founded in 1972, has been a cultural cornerstone of the city, offering a platform for both local talent and a broad range of theatrical performances.
[22] Located in downtown Galion, the theater operates out of a historic building that adds to the town’s charm and cultural landscape.
The GCT presents a variety of productions throughout the year, including musicals, plays, and children’s theater, catering to diverse audiences.
[23][24] In addition to its mainstage productions, GCT serves as an educational space, hosting workshops and classes that foster community engagement with the performing arts.
The centerpiece, Brownella Cottage, is a Victorian-era home built in 1887 for Bishop William Montgomery Brown, a notable figure in Galion’s history.
"[26] The festival would include events like the Pickle Run 5k, car show, watermelon diving competition along with carnival rides and food vendors among other things.
This event invites visitors to explore the restored depot, which once served as a hub for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, also known as the Big Four.
Held in Uptowne Galion, this event typically takes place in late November or early December and features a variety of activities, entertainment, and attractions.
[33][34][35] Home of the founder of the Galion Buggy Company, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 30, 1978 and is located on South Boston Street.
The 7,200-square-foot (670 m2) home was built in 1898 and was later owned by the Galion Historical Society and sat vacant for 50 years until its auction to Tim and Connie Musselman in 2015.
[36] The Victorian-era house designed by Vernon Redding features "massive pillars on the front porch, a golden oak vestibule and carved stairs leading to a circular balustrade and ballroom, all illuminated by a stained-glass skylight.
"[12] The Central Hotel was registered on the National Historic Registry on Nav.13, 1976 but did not see any significant improvements until it was procured by the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing in 2004.
The Hessenauer Cabin, which is located on Cedar Point’s Frontier Trail, was originally built around 1835 near Galion, Ohio, by an early settler named Adam Rensch.
Asa Hosford is considered the "Father of Galion" due to his work as a state legislator to get a rail line through the area that was completed in 1851.
Today, these Lustron homes are recognized as historically significant due to their rarity and contribution to post-war housing developments in the United States.
[40][41][42][43] The government of Galion, Ohio, operates under a mayor-council system, with the mayor acting as the city’s chief executive officer.
The government prioritizes community engagement, with public city council meetings open to residents, ensuring transparency and allowing citizens to participate in the decision-making process.
Galion’s administrative offices are located at 301 Harding Way East, and city council meetings are regularly held to address local issues.
In 1898, a state law was passed providing for a mandatory establishment of a library through the Boards of Education in Galion due to its size.
"[7] This log building, now located in Heise Park,[46] provided for a comfortable "reading room" and "became the pride and glory of the infant library association" but quickly became too small for to serve the citizens of Galion.
It broadcasts a wide range of rock music from the 1960s through the 1990s, catering to fans of artists like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Pink Floyd.
102.3 The Fox also features radio personalities who engage with listeners through various on-air segments and promotions, making it a favorite for classic rock enthusiasts in the Galion and surrounding areas.
[24] Additionally, Galion has access to various healthcare clinics and specialists, offering services in family medicine, physical therapy, and mental health.