Kenton residents are breathing new life into this historic city
About 8,000 people call Kenton, the seat of Hardin County, home. “We are a quiet, quaint town with a lot of history,” says Deb Phillips, director of chamber and tourism at the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance. “And I think, a lot of the time, people take our history for granted.” Most of the city’s history lies in the Hardin County Courthouse, which was built in 1915 and features the Veteran Hall. Among the honorees is Jacob Parrott, a Kenton resident who received the first Congressional Medal of Honor in 1863 because he stopped a Confederate train during the Civil War. Today, the city is looking to grow while maintaining its old-school character. Revitalize Kenton and the city government are working on breathing new life into the city. “Infrastructure is first, and then we’re hoping that brings people who will get intrigued by all of our buildings and want to put something in them,” Phillips says. Farmland surrounds the area.
Local businesses include bridal boutiques, cafes and Skinny’s Tavern
One of the most popular businesses in Kenton is Twirl Bride, which also has tuxedo rentals and bridesmaid dresses. “We have a lot of people traveling from out of the city, or even out of the state, that come to shop at Twirl,” Phillips says. Other local shops include antique stores like Warehouse 13 and A Touch of Whimsy, a body-positive boutique that also sells home goods. The Sweet Note Cafe serves pastries, coffee, soups and salad, while Michael Angelo’s is known for its pizza. Most eateries are along or near Main Street, but Skinny’s Tavern is a community favorite near the city’s outskirts with classic pub fare like burgers and wings. Save A Lot is one of the grocery options in the city. Residents can find fresh produce at Market on Main, a farmers market that runs every other Saturday morning from May through August. Walmart and Dollar General are in the area.
Kenton residences date back to the late 19th century
Sidewalks line many of the residential streets in Kenton, especially near the city center. Oak trees shade grassy lots that are often half an acre or less. Older homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are common, including farmhouses, Craftsmans and Queen Annes. There are also some bungalows, split-levels and ranch-style houses. Depending on size and location, prices range from $100,000 to $430,000; investment properties have sold for as little as $20,000. Manufactured homes cost $30,000 to $200,000.
City parks, nearby nature preserve and the local YMCA offer activities
France Lake is the premier location in Kenton for fishing and kayaking. “I feel like it’s a hidden gem,” Phillips says. “It’s not used nearly enough.” The lake is within Saulisberry Park, with a playground, basketball court and campgrounds. Closer to the city center, Murray Park includes a splash pad that lets kids cool off during the summer. Chad Roof’s Inclusive Playground is filled with ADA-compliant equipment next to the Hardin County YMCA, with programming like summer camp, karate and swim team. Lawrence Woods Nature Preserve is nearby, with a boardwalk trail that goes through forests and swamplands. Memorial Park Golf Club has a public, 18-hole course. Members get discounted, priority tee times.
Kenton schools partner with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center
Kenton City Schools serves the community. Kenton Elementary School receives a C-plus from Niche. The C-rated Kenton Middle School and Kenton High School, which earns a B-minus, share a campus. The district partners with the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center to offer career and technical education courses. Some programs, including Agribusiness & Production Systems, are available to middle schoolers.
Hardin County Fair is one of the largest events in the city
Every September, the city hosts the Hardin County Fair. “The focal point is the 4-H exhibitors and their animals,” Phillips says. For five days, attendees can participate in livestock sales and shows, pedal tractor pull and laser tag. There are also carnival rides, live music and nearly 40 food and artist vendors. The annual Eats on the Street Food Truck Fest happens on the third Saturday of every July. Besides having plenty of food trucks, there is a car and bike show, live music and a kids zone with a bounce house. The city celebrates the holidays with the Christmas Parade.
Improvements to Main Street and infrastructure are coming
Cars are the primary form of transportation, although Kenton Area Transportation Service (KATS) manages buses. The infrastructure is undergoing some improvements. “We’ve had to start from the ground up,” Phillips says. Main Street has already been redone, and more sidewalks and streets are expected to be repaved by 2028. U.S. Route 68 goes through the city, leading about 75 miles to Toledo. Wyandot Memorial Hospital is about 25 miles away. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is about a 70-mile drive and offers nonstop flights to over 50 destinations.
