The Ohio River shaped Belpre’s past and fuels its present
Over 200 years ago, Belpre emerged as the second settlement of what was once known as the Northwest Territory. That massive 260,000-square-mile area eventually became the states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and a portion of Minnesota. Belpre’s location along the Ohio River is still a boon, just as it was when the community first blossomed in the 1780s. The river offers a plethora of outdoor recreation, and positions Belpre right across from the much larger waterside city of Parkersburg, West Virginia. “The community’s proud of all the river stuff that they’ve got going on here,” says Belpre resident Tony Burdutte of Century 21 Full Service Realty, who’s been a Realtor since 2014. “The river is a huge draw.”
Riverfront parks connect Belpre to trails and history
The 41-acre Civitan Park is a gateway to recreation in Belpre. “It’s such a beautiful park, it’s right on the river,” Burdette says. The park has a playground, several baseball diamonds, tennis courts and a track. Civitan also has a ramp into the river, which is almost 1,000 miles long. The river attracts boaters, kayakers and anglers going after the bass, catfish and sauger. The proximity to the water can leave Belpre at risk of flooding, however. “It’s a concern, but it’s not a regular thing here,” Burdette says.
Depot Park includes a playground and a pair of pavilions. Point Park, across the river in Parkersburg, is home to a portion of the almost 3-mile Parkersburg Ohio River Trail. The park is also the place to catch the ferry to the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, located on an island visible from the shore in Belpre. Blennerhassett features a replica of the 19th-century Palladian-style mansion that once stood here, open for tours from May through October. Tens of thousands visit the island every year.
Ranch homes dominate Belpre’s neighborhoods
Most of Belpre’s housing stock dates to the mid-to-late 20th century. “There are more ranch houses in this neck of the woods than I’ve seen in comparable areas,” Burdette says. Bungalows are also prevalent, with a smattering of American Foursquare architecture. Most homes are on quiet residential blocks, some lined with sidewalks. Lots are commonly one-tenth to three-tenths of an acre, and a limited number are right on the water. Homes requiring renovations can go for $60,000 to $110,000, while the bulk of Belpre’s options sell for $120,000 to $450,000.
Homecoming has an annual hold on Belpre
Civitan Park doubles as an event space for the Belpre Homecoming festival, a tradition in the area for over 90 years. Homecoming takes place over four days around late July and early August and offers live music, rides, food and fireworks. The Mid-Ohio Valley Multicultural Festival is another major annual event in the area. Typically held at Parkersburg’s City Park in June, the festival celebrates a range of cultures, from African to Native American.
Washington Boulevard is the center of commercial activity
In an area that’s predominantly residential, Washington Boulevard is the go-to for dining, grocery shopping and more. The stretch has chains from Pizza Hut to Burger King, and locally owned spots, too. The Ohio Redwood, open for over 60 years, has a menu filled with hearty homestyle dishes like country-fried steak, chopped sirloin, pork chops, and liver and onions. There’s a Kroger off Washington Boulevard, across from CVS, and a Family Dollar. Vienna is adjacent to Parkersburg and has more big-box retail, including Walmart and the Grand Central Mall with T.J. Maxx, JCPenney and a movie theater.
Belpre schools include involved parents, career-focused instruction
The Belpre City Schools District has a C-plus grade on Niche. Belpre Elementary has kindergarten through sixth grade and an active PTO that organizes fundraisers and other programming. Belpre High offers career and technical education courses in performing arts, science and engineering.
Bigger cities are conveniently close
Belpre may have a population of just 6,700, but it’s a stone’s throw from the region’s larger cities. “Belpre kind of sits in the middle,” Burdette says. “Like you need to get to Vienna quickly, you can. You need to get up to Marietta, you’re there in 20 minutes." Marietta, Ohio, a city of roughly 13,000, is about 13 miles north on Ohio state Route 7. Vienna is about a 5-mile trip across the Memorial Bridge and up Murdoch Avenue, while neighboring Parkersburg is only a 1-mile trip. The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, 11 miles away in Williamstown, has direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Belpre Medical Campus hospital is within town, just off the Ohio River Scenic Byway.
History lives on in the "beautiful meadow"
Settled in the late 1780s, Belpre owes its name to French trappers who once roamed the area. Belpre is short for "Belle Prairie," which translates to "beautiful meadow" in French. Facilities like The Farmers Castle Museum celebrates the community's long history with items like a board game owned by the family who once lived on Blennerhassett Island. The museum, which is open on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, also has an exhibit dedicated to the Underground Railroad. This area played a key role in the network, with crossing points and more along the Ohio River.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
