Homes, schools and preserved burial mounds shape The Plains
The Plains is a quiet suburb a few miles outside of Athens . The area is primarily a bedroom community, offering a range of historic and newer homes. Two schools are within the community's boundaries, and residents can quickly access parks and trail systems. The Plains is also home to the Ohio Valley's third-largest concentration of Native Adena burial mounds, which are well-preserved and celebrated attractions. Main roads connect the community's residents with Athens' businesses, employers and educational institutions.
Century-old and newer homes priced below the national median
Neighborhoods share common characteristics, like green lawns, mature shade trees and short driveways jutting out from calm two-way streets. Homes can date back to the 1900s or be built as recently as the 2010s. Architecture ranges from bungalows and ranch-style homes to Colonial-inspired and New Traditional houses. The area also has a few condo complexes, duplexes and manufactured homes. The community's median price is around $210,000, half the national median of about $420,000. Manufactured homes typically sell for less than $200,000, costing between $55,000 and $155,000.
Although most homes are far from the Hocking River, seasonal flooding can impact some properties. "From a real estate perspective, flood insurance is not uncommon," says Ally Rapp Lee, principal broker and owner of The Athens Real Estate Company.
Families value The Plains Intermediate and Athens High being nearby
Students attend the Athens City School District, which has five schools and a B-minus Niche rating. Athens High School and The Plains Intermediate School, which serves grades four through six, are both within the community's boundaries. "Depending on the age of the kiddos, that proximity to the schools can be one reason why people move to The Plains," Rapp Lee says. Residents are also 5 miles from Ohio University and 8 miles from Hocking College.
Outdoor destinations include Adena mounds and an intercity bikeway
The Plains is home to several preserved Adena burial mounds and ceremonial circles. The community's most notable earthwork is the Hartman Mound, which has never been excavated and retains its original size. The mound is on private property, but people are permitted to visit. Residents celebrate these preserved landmarks during The Plains Indian Mound Festival each October. The festival has various activities, from a parade and pageant to Atlati throwing and mound tour rides.
The Plains Community Park, which hosts the Indian Mound Festival annually, has a playground, a picnic pavilion and a multi-use field open year-round. The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway passes around the community's borders and "stretches from Athens to Nelsonville, so there are spots in The Plains where you can hop onto the bike path," Rapp Lee says. The Plains Preserve's trail is the easiest connection to the bikeway. Baileys Trail System, about 1 mile from the community, has several hiking and mountain biking trails and a pump track for warming up. The Wayne National Forest surrounds the trail system, offering other opportunities for camping, hunting, horseback riding and ATV riding.
Businesses are along The Plains’ central corridor
Most businesses are near or along North Plains Road. GiGi's Country Kitchen specializes in sit-down homestyle breakfasts, while Spices of Life-Gourmet Coffee offers quick-service drinks and pastries. County Corners shopping center has a Hometown Piggly Wiggly, a Dollar Tree and a few other retail shops. Dining options include McDonald's and Pig Iron Smokehouse BBQ & Grille. Eclipse Company Store is a favorite stop along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway for craft beer and live music. More commercial options, including the nearest pharmacy, are in Athens.
Highways and buses connect to Athens and other major cities
The Plains is less than 5 miles from Athens, the closest city. Residents use U.S. Route 33, state Route 682 and Athens Transit buses to reach nearby businesses, Highway 50 and Ohio University. "The university is a primary employer in this region, so there are folks who go into Athens for work," Rapp Lee says. The community is also around 45 miles from Parkersburg , West Virginia, and 70 miles from Columbus . The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport and both of Columbus' international airports are also within 70 miles. The nearest hospital is Marietta Memorial Hospital.
