Loudonville is a small community next to Mohican State Park
Loudonville is a small village with a big neighbor: Mohican State Park, which spans over 1,000 acres. Residents and visitors alike flock to the park. “That little, tiny town goes from 3,000 people to tens of thousands of people on the weekend,” says Tim Stoops, Realtor with Re/Max Showcase Ashland. The village has a handful of local restaurants and grocery stores, and major retailers are only about 20 miles away in Ashland. Loudonville was the former home of Flxible Company, which made sidecars and buses until it closed in 1996. Traces of the company are still found across the community, from events to displays at the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum.
Mohican State Park and village parks encourage people to get outside
Mohican State Park’s sprawling forests are filled with trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The EPIC Mohican Mountain Bike Trail is just one of those paths and is 25 miles long. “It was a wicked ride,” Stoops says. “I’m amazed I was able to walk the next day.” People also visit the park for its iconic covered bridge or to go tubing and kayaking in the river. The Clear Fork Gorge Overlook offers river views and is a Registered National Natural Landmark. Park visitors can camp in tents or cabins or stay the night at the Mohican Lodge.
Riverside Park is one of two village parks in Loudonville. It has amenities like baseball and soccer fields and a playground. Central Park has a seasonal swimming pool with a splash area. The Loudonville Public Library has a catalog of books, but patrons can also check out board games, tools and community passes.
Homes range from 19th century Queen Annes to New Traditionals
Large oak trees shade grassy lawns, often decorated with gardens, shrubbery and ornaments. Sidewalks line some residential streets, which usually have room for parking. Many houses have driveways and small garages. The oldest properties, which date back to the late 19th century, include Queen Annes and Italianate homes. Most other houses were built between the early and mid-20th century. Farmhouses, Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes are common. There are some New Traditionals. Depending on size and condition, prices generally range from $120,000 to $480,000.
Loudonville-Perrysville students can earn diploma seals
As part of the Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District, students can complete kindergarten through third grade at McMullen Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Budd School, which serves fourth through sixth graders, and Loudonville High School earn a B-minus. The high school offers grades seven through 12. Students can earn diploma seals by volunteering in the community and participating in arts programs, athletics and other extracurricular activities.
Residents rely on cars to travel to and from Ashland
State Routes 3, 39 and 60 intersect at the village center. The closest emergency room is about 18 miles away, at the University Hospital Samaritan Medical Center. There is a heliport for the hospital in Loudonville. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is about 75 miles away and has nonstop service to over 40 destinations.
Events include the Loudonville Street Fair and Mohican Winterfest
Loudonville has a full calendar of events, ranging from the Olympic Ice Carvings at the annual Mohican Winterfest to the Flxible Bus Parade that celebrates the village’s role in manufacturing buses. “There’s always something going on,” Stoops says. “You go down to the square, and there’s always going to be concession stands or food trucks.” The Loudonville Street Fair takes place every October and has carnival rides, live entertainment and vendors. There are also produce, craft and livestock competitions. The Loudonville Classic Car Show is every Fourth of July weekend. “It is a mammoth car show,” Stoops says. “Nearly 500 cars will show up in that little town for a Saturday morning show.”
Local restaurants serve burgers and coffee on Main Street
The Black Fork Bistro is a local restaurant on Main Street specializing in American fare like burgers. Stela’s Ice Cream Shoppe & Coffee House has a rotating selection of specialty drinks. Past selections include Banana Fosters and Pistachio Teacake. There are also some chains, including the East of Chicago Pizza. After dinner, people can catch a movie or a live performance at The Ohio Theatre of Loudonville. Stake’s IGA is the main grocery store in town. Fresh produce is available at the Loudonville Farmers Market at the village square on Saturday mornings from June to September. Walmart, Home Depot and Target are all about 30 miles away.
