Logan, Ohio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Logan is a city in Hocking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hocking County^GR6. Logan is located in southeast Ohio, on the Hocking River southeast of Columbus. The current mayor of Logan is Democrat Michael Walsh, who took office in January 2004 serving a four year term.

1 History
2 Notable Natives and Residents
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Events
6 External links

[edit] History

Logan is the county seat of Hocking County, Ohio. Residents named the town in honor of Chief Logan of the Mingo Indian tribe. Thomas Worthington established the community in 1816.

In 1825, approximately 250 people resided in the town. By 1840, the number of residents increased to nearly six hundred. The Hocking River provided sufficient water power for the purpose of operating grist and sawmills particularly at the falls above Logan. The town of Logan was slow to progress until the opening of the Hocking Canal, a branch of the Ohio and Erie Canal, in 1838. Several industries prospered due to the rich mineral resources of the Hocking Valley.

The discovery of immense quantities of coal led to the flourishing mining industry. Towns appeared and vanished as quickly as mines opened and closed.

It was soon found that iron ore could be extracted from the sandstone bedrock of the area. At its height during the Civil War, Ohio was the leading producer of iron for implements and weapons. No less than forty-six furnaces were firing in Ohio's six-county Hanging Rock Iron Region.

The clay soils of the Hocking Valley helped Ohio become a leader in clay products. The firebrick industry of the valley manufactured such products as clay tile, building and paving bricks and clay sewer pipe. Evidence of the industry can be seen in the many brick houses and abandoned kilns of the area. Clay is still an important industry in the region.

In the town's early history, many manufacturers were established in the community. In the early years, the two largest employers were the Motherwell Iron and Steel Company and the railroad. In more recent history, prominent industrial names in Logan have included Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Selkirk Metalbestos, General Electric, Logan Clay Products, Smead, Amanda Bent Bolt, Osburn Associates, and Carboundum.

Today, many residents of Logan and surrounding areas work in the tourism sector. Numerous residents operate bed and breakfasts or work in hotels or restaurants to meet the needs of tourists visiting the Hocking Hills State Park. Many natural wonders exist in the area immediately surrounding Logan.

[edit] Notable Natives and Residents

Katie Smith, Women's National Basketball Association player

John Corby, Columbus, Ohio radio personality

Maj. Gen. Mike Scaparrotti (USA), Director of Operations for United States Central Command and past Commandant of the United States Military Academy

Don Robertson, prize-winning novelist, wrote a steamy, cynical, realistic historical novel, "Paradise Falls," based on Logan, Ohio.

Michael David Brown, assistant professor of creative writing at Ohio University, author of both the novel Under Heat and the screenplay for the movie of the same title.

[edit] Geography

Logan is located at 39°32′21″N, 82°24′22″W (39.539159, -82.406108)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,704 people, 2,790 households, and 1,768 families residing in the city. The population density was 840.4/km² (2,175.2/mi²). There were 2,948 housing units at an average density of 369.6/km² (956.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.87% White, 0.57% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.01% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 2,790 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,691, and the median income for a family was $38,143. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $23,738 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,836. About 13.0% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Events

Every year, on Father’s Day weekend, the downtown streets of Logan, Ohio come alive with the celebration of the washboard, as a musical instrument. Logan is the home of the Columbus Washboard Company, the only remaining washboard manufacturing company in the U.S. Washboards continue to be used as instruments of laundry today in some parts of the world and serve decoratively in many homes. The Washboard Music Festival celebrates the washboard's role as the source of "toe-tappin’" rhythm found in jug bands and Dixieland groups throughout the country. In rural America around the mid-1800’s, music was a centerpiece of family entertainment, but money was scarce. The washboard, an empty jug, and a stick and string attached to an upside-down metal tub became the backwoods answer to musical entertainment. Modified to form a “vest” that hangs from the shoulders, the energetic and raspy sound also became the source of rhythm for Cajun music throughout the Bayou.