Sylvania, Ohio
Looking for a great place to live that’s close to nature, but also has modern education, industry, arts and entertainment? You might find what you’re looking for or just want to visit Sylvania, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio.
Sylvania was founded in July 1836 and has a current population of approximately 19,100 people. Local industries include educational, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, scientific, management, administrative services.
The city rests on an elevation of 665 feet in Lucas County. Sylvania has a land area of approximately 6.2 square miles.
If you want to know more about Sylvania’s rich history, then visit the Historical Village at 5717 North Main Street. People of all ages can educate themselves about Sylvania’s history and enjoy the museum, shops, exhibits, gardens and special programs/classes. You can also visit a log home, one room school house and blacksmiths shops.
Teachers/educators can even take history with them so others can learn about Sylvania’s history through unique historical “Traveling Suitcase”, available for weekly rental and includes original and reproducible items, activities and related resources.
E-mail hist.village@sev.org or call 419-882-4865for more information.
You can also learn about Sylvania’s rich history at the Lathrop House, built in 1835 with an 1850 addition that will be refurbished and eventually open to the public for tours. This home was recorded as a "stop" on the Underground Railroad.
On February 23, 1835, the Ohio Legislature passed an Act to create the Township of Sylvania, still part of Wood County at this time. On April 6, 1835, the first meeting to establish Sylvania Township.
On June 13, 1836, William Wilson and other gentlemen platted the Town of Sylvania and recorded in Lucas County, Ohio. ( Lucas County was established in 1836). In 1960, the Village of Sylvania became a city.
The name of the city of Sylvania comes from Sylvan, the Latin word for “woods or trees.”
Sylvania has over 7,000 trees including the largest tree, a bur oak on the front lawn of the administration building on 6730 Monroe Street.
Sylvania has been designated the national award of “Tree City USA” for over 20 years now and the 47 acre Stranahan Arboretum, located at 4131 Tantara Drive, provides a great tree showcase featuring several different kinds of trees.
You can find more information including photographs and interactive maps of the arboretum at research.eeescience.utoledo.edu/lees/arboretum or call 419-530-8451 for more information.
Sylvania is known for several great events, both locally and nationally. The Jamie Farr Annual Golf Classic has always been a prominent tournament of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).
This golf tournament is hosted by Highland Meadows Golf Club, one of two country clubs located in Sylvania. This event attracts thousands of spectators every year and also features several generous contributions from local companies.
Another well known athletic event is the “Racing for Recovery (R4R)” Half Ironman. This triathlon has a largely even slope and is located at Olander Park, one of Sylvania’s numerous nature parks/recreational attractions. For more information go to www.sylvaniahalf.com .
The Annual Arts & Crafts Festival features excellent handmade crafts from the local area and beyond. Every year, judges select best of show winners in the categories of fine arts and crafts and exhibitors sell their crafts.
The community Sylvania also has many exciting natural and recreational assets including an excellent Metro parks system.
The park system has several great recreational areas including Veterans Memorial Park , located at the end of Garden Park road. This park features the Memorial Grove of trees and Veterans Memorial to honor the memory of Sylvanians who have served the city and country in the military.
The 148 acre Olander Park System, located at 6930 Sylvania Avenue, features water sports on its 30 acre lake, plus the premiere archeological attraction, Fossil Park. It’s one of the three places in the nation where people can go in and dig fossils. It’s one of only two prime Devonian Era fossil sites in the world! Call 419-882-8313 for more information or visit www.olanderpk.com/xfer/info_fossil.html.
For more information, you can access www.olanderpk.com.
Other local fun spots include the Jewish Community Center (JCC), YMCA and Pacesetter Park.
The JCC is affiliated with the YMCA and is a United Way agency. For more information call 419-885-4485 or e-mail contact@jewishtoledo.org.
The Sylvania JCC/YMCA is located at 6465 Sylvania Ave. Call (419) 885-4485 for more information or access www.ymcatoledo.org/sylvaniajcc.shtml.
The 138 acre Pacesetter Park, located at 8601 Sylvania-Metamora Road, features a state of the art soccer and baseball complex. For more information, visit www.pacesetterpark.org.
Centennial Terrace and Quarry has become great natural recreation spots where visitors can experience unique interactions with their environment. The 30 acre Centennial Terrace and Quarry, located at Centennial Road and Erie Street, features a swimming area, water slide and a beautiful open air dance floor.
Sylvania also has several playing fields, tennis courts, two indoor ice arenas, four private tennis clubs, an indoor swimming pool and several outdoor swimming facilities.
For more information on these attractions and other Sylvania hot spots, visit www.sylvaniarecreation.org or contact the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District (SAJRD) at 419-885-7644.
Since the first school was built in 1834, Sylvania has provided the community with an excellent school system including St. Francis Education Center, St. Joseph Elementary School, Hebrew Academy of Toledo and the First Apostolic Christian Academy.
Primary schools include Stranahan Elementary, Whiteford Elementary, Central Elementary, Highland Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Hill View Elementary and Sylvan Elementary.
Middle schools include Arbor Hills Junior High, McCord Junior High, and Timberstone Junior High while Northview and Southview are the area public high schools.
Sylvania has excellent advanced educational institutions including Lourdes College, located on 6832 Convent Boulevard.
Lourdes College ( www.lourdes.edu) is a private, commuter college on 89 wooded acres that includes the Life Lab, a great science/nature center, and great art/entertainment at the Franciscan Center.
The Center offers quality, culturally diverse entertainment and artistic programs with support from the local community. Donations can even be in memory of a family member, friend or a special occasion.
The Franciscan Center is a nonprofit presenting organization which extends the social and educational ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis who first came to Sylvania o n December 8, 1916 from Minnesota.
About a year after the Sisters arrived they moved to an 89-acre farm in Sylvania, which progressed into the founding of the Sylvania Franciscans in 1930. For more information, visit www.sistersofsf.org.
Flower Hospital is the main medical center in Sylvania (see www.promedica.org) that offers quality health care and education in the community.
The Ability Center ( www.abilitycenter.org) enables people with disabilities to live independently through special support in housing, transportation, recreation and other resources.
The Ability Center also educates the public on disability-related issues through several annual events and publications.
The Sylvania Senior Center is a growing resource and state-of-the-art, ADA accessible facility open to all adults age 55 and older.
The Center is an information resource, offering great programs and services including computer classes, tai chi, yoga, body recall, jazzercise, woodshop, indoor walking, pool tables, weight training equipment, legal services, podiatrist, chore services, tax services and transportation. Stop by for a visit or call 419-885-3913 for additional information.
Media in Sylvania include The Sylvania Herald, published weekly, and The Sylvania Commercial Advantage, published bi-monthly.
Sylvania also features 105.5 WWWM-FM ( www.star105toledo.com), a contemporary pop/rock radio station that’s been on the air since 1990.
For more information about Sylvania go to www.cityofsylvania.com, www.sylvaniatownship.com or the unique website, Sylvania Electronic Village at www.sev.org.
Author: Michael Siebenaler
