Mount Gilead is a rural community surrounded by farms and forests
Once prominent in Central Ohio for its manufacturing industry, the rural village of Mount Gilead is better known today for its agricultural surroundings and outdoor recreation, all about an hour north of Columbus. The town of 3,500 also serves as the seat of Morrow County. "The community is very connected, and we support our own," says Carol Lessick, a Realtor with Century 21. "It's a great place to live and raise a family. I would know: I was born and raised here."
Turn-of-the-century homes are popular, and new houses are being built
Turn-of-the-century Cape Cods, bungalows and American Foursquares make up most homes near the village center. Houses tend to be built on sloped lots that rarely reach a quarter of an acre. Sidewalks connect residential zones to businesses on Main Street, making the area relatively walkable. Midcentury ranch-style homes become available further afield, while the occasional 21st-century development pops up on the outskirts. The median sale price for single-family homes in the area is around $340,000.
Mount Gilead High is known for football and track
The village is served by Mount Gilead Exempted Village School District, which receives an overall C-plus grade from Niche. Mount Gilead High School recently renovated its football field — they've won seven state championships since 1961 — and built a new fieldhouse. "They're probably best known for their track and field team," Lessick says. "They've won a lot of state championships."
The village is surrounded by outdoor recreation
Mount Gilead State Park is a hub for nature lovers. Anglers and boaters enjoy the's calm waters, while campers can bring their tents or RVs for overnight excursions. Cross-country skiing and ice fishing are popular in the winter, and hikers take advantage of the trails all year long. "We're blessed to have a state park so close," Lessick says. "It's very well maintained and very active." The Headwaters Outdoor Education Center is 150 acres of land used by the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District to educate visitors about the importance of environmentalism. In addition to miles of hiking trails and untouched wilderness, the center offers a calendar of educational activities and classes on local animals, wildlife survival techniques and more. The Mount Gilead Recreational Center features a public pool, baseball fields and ice skating rink in the winter.
Shopping centers around Main and Marion streets
The village's locally owned shopping and restaurants largely center around Main and Marion streets. Dollar General and Kroger are both available for groceries. "Generally, you'll go to Marion or Mansfield for department stores and that sort of thing," says Lessick. Established in a 19th-century hardware store, Sames and Cook offers various coffee drinks, smoothies and local souvenirs in a vintage atmosphere. The Endzone is a classic sports bar with a full menu and daily drink specials. In addition to TVs playing the latest baseball or football game, trivia, karaoke and live music are always on the calendar.
The Morrow County Fair is the area's biggest celebration
Held yearly since 1850, the Morrow County Fair is one of the area's most popular events. The week of activities includes motocross racing, craft classes, rides, live performances and more. "It's your classic country fair with tractor pulls, livestock judging -- everything like that," says Lessick. "It's huge — everyone comes out for it."
Columbus and Cleveland could be day trips
The main highways in the area are U.S. Route 42 and state Routes 61 and 95. Columbus is about 45 miles south, while Cleveland is about 100 miles northeast. "You've got rural living here, but the cities are just up the road," says Lessick.
