Ashville is a quiet community south of Columbus
About 20 miles south of Columbus, Ashville is a village of about 4,600 in Pickaway County. Once known as a busy railway stop for the surrounding farms, the area has become better known as a haven for Columbusites looking for a quiet retreat after work or during retirement. "We see a lot of people coming down from Columbus," says John Swingle, a volunteer with Ohio's Small Town Museum and lifelong resident. "There's still a lot of agriculture around here, but maybe not as much as there used to be." Potential homeowners are also drawn to the area for a strong community bond, characterized by its many annual celebrations, festivals and gatherings.
Historic Cape Cods and bungalows are in the village's south side
The village's south side has historic Cape Cods, bungalows and colonial homes, often dating back to the 19th century. Newer construction in this area tends to consist of midcentury ranch-style homes. These neighborhoods are in a checkerboard pattern, with lots rarely larger than a quarter of an acre. The most recently built homes are generally in the north side, including craftsman and traditional homes from the 1990s to the early 2000s. The streets here are more windy, with marginally larger lots that sometimes reach a third of an acre. The median price for single-family homes in Ashville is in the high $360,000s.
The 4th of July Celebration lasts five days
Every April, the Ashville Viking Festival brings a crowd of vendors and reenactors for a weekend of food and live entertainment. Guests can shop for artisanal crafts at the Saxon Market, watch medieval reenactments or try their hand at throwing axes. Admission is free, but organizers request canned food donations for the Ashville Food Pantry. The 4th of July celebration lasts five days, beginning on the last day of June with a parade and ending on the 4th with fireworks. The festivities also include carnival rides, live music and the crowning of that year's Miss Ashville. As large as the celebration is, Swingel insists that it used to be even bigger. "We've got two parades during that week," he says. "But it used to be three!"
Ohio's Small Town Museum has relics from the village's history
In addition to its playground and athletic facilities, the Ashville Community Park is the site for many of the year's annual events, including the 4th of July Celebration and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Opened by the Ashville Area Heritage Society in 1975, Ohio's Small Town Museum displays artifacts from the village's history, including an unorthodox traffic light that holds the Guinness world record for the longest in operation.
The Cherry Street Diner is a classic greasy spoon
Opened in 1992, the Cherry Street Diner serves omelets, burgers and fries in an old-fashioned, greasy spoon setting. In addition to a full bar, the Ashbrook Distillery and Grill has wings, ribs and tavern snacks like fried pickles. There are several local stores and services on Long Street. For big-box stores and extensive retail options, locals travel to Columbus. I.G.A. Food Market is available for groceries.
Teays Valley High School has an active Future Farmers of America
Ashville is served by the Teays Valley Local School District, which has a B from Niche. Teays Valley High School's Future Farmers of America club hosts an annual Drive Your Tractor to School Day to celebrate local agriculture.
Columbus is about a half hour away
The main highways in the area are Ohio State Route 752 and U.S. Route 23. The latter leads to Columbus, about half an hour's drive north.
