Brick by brick, Nelsonville is finding new life in its revitalization
Nelsonville is a rural city halfway between Logan and Athens that initially thrived through brickmaking, earning recognition through manufacturing durable products like Star Brick and The Nelsonville Block. Railroad access further strengthened the area's economy until the Great Depression, when the city's plants and kilns shut down. The city declined in subsequent years but is now undergoing revitalization. Historic homes are being remodeled, and the city's downtown square invites new business opportunities and infrastructure updates. Popular festivals and ample recreation keep locals entertained, but the community maintains a relaxed rural atmosphere. " Logan gets busier every year with tourism, so people who don't want to be a part of that might navigate over to Nelsonville," says Pamela Austin, Realtor with Star Brick Realty, who works in the area.
People enjoy watersports, national forests and scenic train rides
The city has abundant recreation. Nelsonville Park has various athletic facilities, from basketball courts and ball fields to a track and field area. The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway connects to Strouds Run State Park, offering 18 miles of natural trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. Nelsonville Water Park opens in summer, and Nelsonville Brick Park has a few original kilns from the former industrial boom. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers steam engine rides every weekend from Memorial Day to October. The train rolls through the Hocking Hills and stops at a local pioneer log village. People fish, kayak, canoe and tube along the Hocking River, and the Wayne National Forest surrounds the community with camp sites and forest trails. Adventure Pro Outdoors offers popular water rafting and off-road ATV tours.
Since the river and several creeks flow through the city, flooding can be a concern, and flood insurance can sometimes be mandatory. "We get flash floods all around this region," Austin says. "On some roads, you just have to wait for the water to recede to get in and out." Forest fires are less common but are still taken into consideration. The city institutes burn bans, and "the National Forest headquarters will put up signs if the risk of fire is high," Austin says.
Homebuyers are flipping older homes for sale and rent
Residential roads curve and slant with rolling hills. Lots typically have small front yards, and most residents park on the street or behind homes. The city has many single-family, multifamily and manufactured homes. Still, student housing and apartments around Hocking College attract more renters to the area. Common architectural styles include ranch-style homes, bungalows, Craftsman-style houses and Colonial Revivals. Most homes were built before the 1990s, dating back to the start of the 20th century. "There are a lot of old houses there that need to be either torn down or completely redone, but now, people are starting to buy houses and flip them," Austin says. The city's median price is around $140,000, much lower than the national median of about $420,000.
Public Square echoes the city’s past and invites new businesses
Austin says the city has done a lot to revitalize the community while preserving its character, especially within the historic downtown. Stately Star Brick buildings line either side of Public Square, paying homage to Nelsonville's brickmaking past. Vintage lampposts and a central fountain add to the old-fashioned atmosphere. The square has a range of new and longtime businesses, like restaurants, offices and Stuart's Opera House. The rest of the city has retail shops, farmers markets, locally owned eateries and a Kroger Supermarket. Rocky Brand, which was founded in Nelsonville, is nationally known for its outdoor gear. For entertainment, Movies 10 offers a cinema, bumper car rink, arcade and mini bowling alley.
Nelsonville celebrates the arts, music and local landscapes
Nelsonville Music Festival is the city's biggest event, attracting local crowds with an extensive band lineup, artisan retailers and all-age activities. Stuart's Opera House is another performance hub, hosting various concerts, plays and traveling acts. Public Square hosts the Parade Of The Hills Festival every August, which features fiddling competitions, parades and pie contests. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway does themed rides, like train robbing experiences, wine tasting tours and a haunted train around Halloween. "People just love it, especially around Christmas and the fall, where they take you around to see the colors," Austin says.
Students attend local schools and nearby Hocking College
Students attend the Nelsonville-York City School District, which has a C rating from Niche. Its three schools offer the Nelsonville-York Arrowheads Archery Club, which participates in tournaments all over the state and nation. Nelsonville also has the Tri-County Career Center and Hocking College, specializing in technical degrees and certifications.
Transit options connect to nearby cities, like Logan and Columbus
While the city is car-dependent, Athens Transit buses are available, and downtown sidewalks are being redone to improve walkability. Drivers use U.S. Route 33 and Business Highway 33 to travel to nearby cities, like Athens and Logan. Some local companies, like Rocky Brand, are major employers, but many people also make the 60-mile drive to Columbus for work. Residents are also roughly 60 miles from both of Columbus' international airports. The nearest hospital is Marietta Memorial Hospital, 11 miles away.
