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.
Grand Rapids. 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.
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.)
Location. 41° 24.794′ N, 83° 51.835′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Ohio, in Wood County. Marker 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.
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.
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 6, 2021
5. A nearby restored windmill and tablet
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 700 times since then and 25 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.