Piketon’s nuclear legacy is fueling a new industrial chapter
The village of Piketon sits in a bend of Ohio’s Scioto River, surrounded by small farms and dense forests. It may seem unlikely, but this small rural area of about 2,100 played a major role in the Cold War, thanks to the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which generated highly enriched uranium for decades. That plant was closed in 2001, but now new operations have started at the plant, this time producing low-enriched uranium, helmed by Centrus. “We produced nuclear power for our military,” says lifelong resident Tom Brewster, auctioneer and broker of Brewster Real Estate & Auction. “That slowed down... and now they’re reindustrializing.”
Historic cottages and ranch homes cluster near downtown
Prices here range from around $120,000 to about $250,000, depending on size, age, condition and other factors. Custom-built properties may skew higher, climbing near $450,000. Piketon has a variety of historic homes, like early-1900s cottages and farmhouses, along with midcentury ranch-style homes. Many of these vintage properties are around the heart of town on smaller lots. Piketon has a few waterways running through it, so there are some special flood zones. Properties touching these zones may need flood insurance for a federally backed mortgage.
Students can explore trades like auto tech and culinary arts
Scioto Valley Local Schools is graded C-plus on Niche. Jasper Elementary has a C, and Piketon Junior/Senior High, for Grades 6 through 12, gets a C-plus. The junior-senior high school has various sports programs, including football, volleyball, soccer and basketball. High schoolers can enroll in career and technical training courses at the ungraded Pike County Career Technology Center; tracks include automotive technology, carpentry and culinary arts.
Pike County Fair offers family fun and local competitions
The Pike County Fair in Piketon has been a summer tradition since 1851. It celebrates community spirit, agriculture and local talent. Visitors enjoy a lively mix of events, including harness racing through the Southern Valley Colt Circuit, livestock and horse shows, 4-H activities and the crowd-favorite Pike County Idol vocal competition. The fair also features family-friendly attractions like the Kiddie Tractor Pull and high-energy entertainment such as the Tug-A-Truck contest and the Pike County Rodeo.
Pike Lake and State Forest offer hiking, fishing and more
Big Beaver Golf Club has a public championship course in the village, and more rustic options for outdoor fun are within a short drive. Pike Lake State Park has a small lake for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. There’s a sand beach by the swimming area. Pike State Forest is by the park, connected by the Buckeye Trail, which runs over 1,000 miles around the state, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The forest itself is made up of deciduous hardwood trees like mature oaks and hickories. It’s a local hub for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and off-roading.
Local dining and shopping with emergency care nearby
When it comes to restocking the pantry, Ritchie’s Marketplace Grocery, Dollar General and Family Dollar are the main choices in town. They sit on West Street, along with gas stations, chain fast-food joints and local eateries, such as Ritchie's Backyard BBQ and Giovanni's Pizza. Riverside Restaurant is another local favorite, serving classic diner fare on the Scioto River. The nearby village of Waverly, roughly 5 miles away, has a Walmart Supercenter, various banks and more fast-food options. It also has the closest emergency room, located at Adena Pike Medical Center.
Rural living with a direct route to Columbus
Piketon is just under 100 miles from Dayton and about 70 miles from Columbus. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is closer to 75 miles away. U.S. Route 23 is the main way in and out of the village and a direct path into Downtown Columbus.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
