Grand Rapids in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Grand Rapids

1833 - 1983

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 20, 2011

1. Grand Rapids Marker

Inscription. This site, at the head of the Great Rapids of the Maumee, has been a major river crossing for centuries. The village was platted in 1833 as Gilead but was overshadowed by rival Providence during the canal era. In 1868 the name Grand Rapids was adopted, and the town prospered with the arrival of the railroad in 1877. Fires ravished the village in the late 1890s and spring floods have remained a threat. Restoration of the Victorian architecture began in 1975 and has helped revitalize this village along the historic Maumee.

Erected 1983 by Grand Rapids Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-87.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 41° 24.794′ N, 83° 51.835′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Ohio, in Wood County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Wapakoneta Road, on the right when traveling south on Front Street. This historical marker is located on the eastern edge of the downtown business district. To the north of the marker is the Maumee River, to the east of the marker is a set of railroad

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tracks, and to the south of the marker is the Howard Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Rapids OH 43522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp,

in the Till Plains,

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Howard Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Grand Rapids (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Rapids Flood Record (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Dam With A View (approx. 0.2 miles away); Next Stop: Bankruptcy! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dominick Labino (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory Of Julie Pontasch (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 20, 2011

2. Grand Rapids Marker

View looking northeast at the historical marker next to the Grand Rapids Visitor Center. The Maumee River is in the background to the left of the picture and the Railroad Bridge is in the background to the right.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 20, 2011

3. Grand Rapids Marker

View looking northwest of the historical marker at it's location next to the Grand Rapids Visitor Center. In the background behind both the Visitor Center and the historical marker is the Maumee River.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 6, 2021

4. Grand Rapids Marker

New paint on the old village map inside the cabin.

A nearby restored windmill and tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 6, 2021

5. A nearby restored windmill and tablet

A nearby windmill restoration tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 6, 2021

6. A nearby windmill restoration tablet

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.