Coal Grove offers small-town living across from Ashland, Kentucky
The village of Coal Grove, Ohio, is a small Ohio River town in the tristate area of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Despite being right next to the larger city of Ironton, Ohio, Coal Grove has remained a small community to itself. "Coal Grove is very community oriented. If you're from there, you think it's the best place to be," says Realtor Mendy Blakeman with M&M Realty, who was born and raised in the Ironton area. Residents who prefer Coal Grove's small-town setting are still just a few minutes from amenities in larger towns. "The nice thing about Coal Grove is that you're right across the river from Ashland, Kentucky," Blakeman says. "People live in Coal Grover and work and shop in Ashland."
Bungalows in the village or privacy in the hills
Coal Grove's median home price is $160,000, but the proper categorization for homes here is whether they're in or out of the village. The village is the heart of Coal Grove, built on a grid, anchored by main thoroughfares like High Street. The blocks are lined with sidewalks, grassy lawns and walkways leading to cozy cottages and bungalows built between the 1920s and 1950s. Post-1950 ranch-style homes are also prevalent. Homes in the village that might need some repairs go for $20,000 to $60,000. The older bungalows and remodeled ranch-style homes can cost $100,000 to $170,000. Marion Pike leads east to wooded streets in the hills. Prices here follow a similar range, with small ranch-style homes costing $25,000 to $50,000. Larger ranch-style and split-level homes on close to a half-acre range from $100,000 to $160,000.
Dawson-Bryant Middle and High schools share a campus in town
Kids begin at Dawson-Bryant Elementary, which is located 4 miles east and gets a B grade. After elementary school, students stay close to home. Dawson-Bryant Middle and Dawson-Bryant High share a campus on Hornet Lane in Coal Grove, and they each get a C-plus. Hornet football games are big events on Friday nights in the fall. "They love their football team," Blakeman says. "Everyone goes to the games."
Groceries and milkshakes on Marion Pike
Marion Pike is the main drive running east to west through Coal Grove's village center. People get groceries at Coal Grove Food Fair, the local supermarket on the corner of Marion Pike and High Street. It's hard to miss the bright red and yellow flags on top of Coal Grove Freezette, next to Food Fair — the "Milkshake Mania" sign helps too. Freezette is a classic fast-casual American diner, serving footlong hot dogs, burgers and milkshakes. Residents go to Ashland, Kentucky, for larger shopping trips, less than 3 miles across the Ohio River. Ashland has a mall with stores like T.J. Maxx and Ulta, and there's a Walmart in the neighboring plaza. Plus, downtown Ashland has many local shops and eateries.
Playgrounds, picnic spaces and Little League fields within minutes
Paul Porter Park sits atop a hill behind the Dawson-Bryant Local School district office. It's Coal Grove's sole community park, providing a playground, picnic shelters and green space under shady tree cover. During the winter holidays, the park is decorated with light-up Christmas characters. A short walk or drive down High Street leads to Joe Swarts Sports Complex, home base for Coal Grove Little League. The complex has four fields equipped for baseball and softball. The Coal Grove Boat Ramp is open for public use.
Ashland's medical center is across the river
Health care has become this area's biggest industry. Downtown Ashland is home to the University of Kentucky's King's Daughters Medical Center, one of the region's premier health care facilities. Right next to Coal Grove, Ironton attracts many industrial businesses.
Commute to cities in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky
U.S. Route 52 runs along the Ohio side of the river and right through Coal Grove. It leads 16 miles southeast to Huntington, West Virginia, the biggest city in the immediate area. Columbus, Ohio, is 120 miles north. Interstate 64 is located south of Coal Grove. Charleston, West Virginia's capital, is less than 70 miles east on I-64, and Lexington is 120 miles west. West Virginia International Yeager Airport, in Charleston, is the nearest outlet for most commercial flights.
