Wellston is home to a General Mills factory and lower housing costs
In Wellston, frozen pizza and a regional soda reign supreme. General Mills has operated a Totino’s production facility in the city for more than 35 years, recently expanding with a $100 million project. It increased the plant’s full-time employees to more than 1,000, making it one of the company’s largest. Wellston also used to be the home of a Gem Beverages factory, which produced a beloved citrus soft drink called Ski. That plant has since moved to Tennessee, but the community’s love of Ski remains; people around town affectionately call it “Wellston Water.”
The community brings more than snack food to the table, starting with its housing market. “Homes are priced a little lower than in cities like Chillicothe or Athens,” says Berneice Minton, an agent with ERA Martin & Associates. “There’s probably between a $10,000 and $20,000 difference. Real estate taxes are lower as well.” The area is also close to Lake Alma State Park and has several popular restaurants.
New Traditional and ranch-style homes sit along wide streets
The city has several New Traditional homes built in recent years, as well as some traditional ranch-style houses and Colonial Revival properties. The median sale price is around $155,000, well below the national median. Homes typically sell after about 80 days on the market, above the national average of around 50. Most city streets are grid-like, with Pennsylvania Avenue being the main thoroughfare. Community roads are wide, and drivers often utilize street parking as a result. Yards are usually sparse but can feature trees and small bushes.
American and Chinese restaurants plus Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General
Most of the community’s restaurants sit along Pennsylvania Avenue. Rocket Dairy Corner is known for its veal sandwiches and soft-serve ice cream. Happenings Bistro focuses on comfort food, while Peking Cook offers a Chinese lunch buffet and dinner entrees. There are also several national fast-food eateries. The city has Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General locations. For clothing, Bealls is less than 10 miles away in Jackson. Wellston Hope Church provides free meals to the community every few weeks, in-person and via delivery.
Wellston City Schools and Friday night football games
Students are served by Wellston City Schools. Those in prekindergarten through second grade can attend Bundy Elementary School, which has a B-minus Niche grade. Wellston Intermediate School, for grades 3-5, holds a C score, while Wellston Middle School receives a C-plus. Wellston High School offers the College Credit Plus program, which lets students take college-level courses and earn credit. It gets a C Niche rating. The community gathers at C.H. Jones Field on Friday nights in the fall to root for the Wellston High football team. Ohio’s Educational Choice Expansion Scholarship Program awards eligible students with scholarships toward private school tuition.
Residents can hit the water at Lake Alma State Park or go bowling
Kelli Lambert Memorial Park’s jungle gym, slide and other playground equipment are blue and yellow in honor of Wellston City Schools’ colors. The Route 327 Ball Fields have baseball and softball diamonds and a soccer area. To the north, Lake Alma State Park offers boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and several trails. “I like to get on a kayak out there,” Minton says. “It’s not a huge lake, but the views are beautiful.” Hunting is also available, with deer, turkey and waterfowl commonly seen near the lake. LeElla Lanes, a bowling alley, offers games for $5 per person or lanes for $30 per hour. The annual Ohio Hill Country Festival brings four days of events to Wellston each fall. Activities include a karaoke contest, car and motorcycle shows, and several parades.
Access to State Route 93 and John Glenn Columbus International
Ohio State Route 93 runs west and north from the middle of town. A railroad cuts through the city west of its commercial center. Wellston is around 80 miles from Columbus, including John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Minton says the area gets occasional strong storms, but any loss of power is usually restored quickly.
