Devola offers a peaceful setting near Marietta conveniences
With sweeping lawns and well-cared-for houses, Devola is a draw for people seeking room to spread out in Washington County. Mostly residential, this part of Southeast Ohio is a departure from busier Marietta, the county’s largest city, yet remains within 10 miles of shops, restaurants and other conveniences. The combination of peace and access contributes to Devola’s broad appeal. “It’s definitely desirable. People ask for it by name,” says Tony Burdette, a local Realtor at Century 21 Full Service Realty, with over 10 years of industry experience.
Ranch and colonial-style homes built midcentury and well maintained
Devola’s narrow neighborhood streets feature a mixture of ranch- and colonial-style homes. The majority were built from 1950 to 1980, and owners have handled them gently over the years. “The houses are maintained well, the lawns are maintained well,” Burdette says. “It’s their little slice of heaven.” Homes average about 1,800 square feet, and come with space to breathe on lots of at least one-fifth of an acre. “There are parts of Devola that seem more rural than where you really are,” Burdette says. Most homes sell for $170,000 to $500,000, and Burdette says properties hold their value.
Marietta schools celebrate the arts
Kids living in Devola can enter the Marietta City School District, which has a C-plus grade on Niche. The C-rated Phillips Elementary includes kindergarten through second grade, and the C-plus-rated Marietta Elementary covers grades 3 through 6. Both schools host holiday concerts, offering a chance for students to showcase their musical abilities. Marietta High also has a C-plus rating and an active music department, including a symphonic band and chorus groups.
Devola trail and riverside walks provide outdoor escapes
The East Muskingum Civic Association oversees a recreation complex just off the Muskingum River. The complex's variety of attractions includes a playground, athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, and a pool open during the summer. Burdette says locals also go for walks by the river near the area's lock and dam system, which dates to the 1800s. The Devola Multi-Use Trail, a roughly 2-mile path on the community's southern outskirts, is another option for a walk, jog or bike ride.
Restaurants and more are close-by in Marietta
Residents can grab a quick bite at Dough Boyz Pizzeria, a small family-owned chain serving pizza, chicken wings, quesadillas and ice cream. Or they can sample the selection at House of Wines, where there’s a waterside patio. “An outstanding winery and eatery, right on the river,” Burdette says. However, Marietta has a much broader selection of businesses nearby. Levee House Bistro is one of the popular spots in Marietta’s downtown, housed in a structure roughly 200 years old — the city’s oldest existing riverfront building. The bistro’s menu is packed with seafood and pasta options. “It’s such a historic remnant. People really enjoy it,” Burdette says. “And once they hear the history of it, it’s just magical.” Shops downtown include Schafer Leather Store, open since 1867 and offering boots and other leather goods. Groceries are as close as Walmart and Kroger. There’s also a Lowe’s home improvement store in Marietta.
Route 60 is a portal to the wider area
Ohio state Route 60 is the main thoroughfare for trips into Marietta. Marietta Memorial Hospital, which has an emergency room, is off Route 60 about 4 miles south of Devola. “It’s one of the closest communities to Marietta Memorial Hospital,” Burdette says of Devola. “Doctors love it, nurses love it, hospital staff love it.” Interstate 77 runs just east of Devola and takes travelers 14 miles to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, where they can catch direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Devola has multiple holiday traditions
Devola’s recreation complex, by the Muskingum, hosts multiple events each year. There’s an annual egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter and a Turkey Trot 5K run on Thanksgiving morning. Devola also has a costumed Halloween party at Masonic Park.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
