Each month, we feature an Ohio city as part of our Ohio Community Spotlight series. This month, we highlight the county seat of Sandusky County, Fremont.
Welcome to this month’s GOPC Thread! Today we’re exploring Fremont, OH—home to 15,000 residents and rich in presidential history, natural beauty, and community pride. Let’s dive into what makes City of Fremont so special!
Image Source: Flickr Creative Commons, Doug Kerr
Fremont is located on the former site of Junquindundeh, a Wyondot village that was located on the west banks of the lower Sandusky River. French merchants established a trading post there in the 1750’s, but the region was seized by British forces during the Seven Years War.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, Donnacona
The Treaty of Greenville (1795) established this part of Ohio as native land. However, growing tension between the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 1800s led the U.S. Army to establish Fort Sandusky (later Stephenson) along the river.
Fort Stephenson. Public Domain Image
The War of 1812 saw British forces invade parts of Northwest Ohio from Canada. In August 1813, the Battle of Fort Stephenson saw 160 American troops repel an attack by at least 3,300 British soldiers and forces that were a part of Shawnee warrior Tecumseh’s confederacy.
Battle of Fort Stephenson in 1813. Public Domain Image
The end of the war saw settlements grow around the fort – the origins of modern Fremont. Originally known as Lower Sandusky, the growing community was was renamed in 1849 to honor explorer John C. Frémont.
Image Source: Flickr Creative Commons, Michael Harding
Fremont is the hometown of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States. His estate, Spiegel Grove, is now home to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library—the first presidential library in the country!
Image Source: Flickr Creative Commons, Christopher Riley
Spiegel Grove isn’t just a library—it’s a 25-acre park with walking trails, historic buildings, and the final resting place of the Hayes. Visit in November to take part in a lantern tour full of paranormal stories followed by a campfire and hot chocolate!
Image Source: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums
Downtown Fremont is buzzing with activity! From farmers markets to food truck festivals, the city’s revitalization efforts have brought new life to historic buildings and local businesses.
Looking for a bite to eat? Fremont’s dining scene includes local favorites like The Garrison, Depot Pizza, and Root’s Poultry—famous for its shredded chicken sandwiches!
Image Source: The Garrison Facebook page
The Sandusky River runs through the heart of Fremont and offers kayaking, fishing, and scenic views. Fremont’s section of the river is a draw to sport fishermen as it is known for producing some of the largest walleye outside of Lake Erie.
Fremont’s economy is centered around manufacturing, healthcare, and food services due to its close ties to agriculture. ProMedica has a large medical center in the city, and Crown Battery, a manufacturer of commercial and industrial batteries for nearly 100 years, is headquartered in Fremont
Northwest Ohio, including Putnam, Wood, Fulton and Sandusky counties, is the primary region for processing tomatoes in Ohio. 80% of all ketchup sold in the United States is produced in Fremont, where the world’s largest ketchup factory is located!
Art lovers will enjoy the many local galleries that showcase regional talent. Fremont also hosts seasonal art walks and pop-up exhibits in its downtown businesses.
Fremont is a Tree City USA, recognized for its commitment to urban forestry and green spaces. The Tree and Beautification Commission works hard to beautify the city’s green spaces and parks. Thank you!
Image Source: Fremont Tree and Beautification Commission Facebook page
Thanks for joining us in Fremont, OH for this month’s #GOPCThread! Follow @DowntownFremont and @SCCVB712 to learn more—and we’ll see you next month in another Ohio community!
Text generated by CoPilot, edited for style and content by GOPC staff.
Cover Photo: Sandusky County Courthouse in Fremont. Public Domain Image.