Attica Narrative
Attica Ohio was founded in 1827. Attica has a population of 899 according to the 2010 census. Ezra Gilbert was the founder of our small village here in Northern Ohio. When Ezra came across a railroad crossing he decided to plant a town there. Since Ezra was originally from Attica, New York, he opted to name the new town Attica. Today that area is where state route 4 and state route 224 meet. Ezra built a cabin in the area, settled down, and called Attica his home. Shortly after, Ezra built a tavern as well. The tavern Ezra established was then used as the post office. Later on, as time went by, people wanted to continue developing and growing the town. Two men by the names William and Samuel Miller surveyed the land. They sectioned the land into chunks so they could be sold for the development of houses and businesses. Samuel and William chose to keep the name Attica in remembrance of the efforts taken by Ezra to establish this small town.
Attica was known for being an agricultural town when it was founded, and the same thing holds true today. However, the major feature that put Attica, Ohio on the map would be its location by the Sandusky-Pike railroad. Like many small towns - such as our neighbor to the east, Willard - Attica was built because of the railroad. Attica was much like Ada in its early beginnings and was very self-reliant. They had anything from a mill to a blacksmith in town. They also had dry goods stores and other small shops to get the essential things that people needed. As Attica grew, these small shops that were focused on small areas of needs were replaced by bigger stores that were more of a one-stop shop. Phasing out the small shops in Attica meant that less work would need to be done there.
When automobiles came around, being able to easily travel to Tiffin and other surrounding towns now made it even easier for families from Attica to go shopping and get the things they needed. In addition, people from surrounding cities and towns were easily able to travel to Attica and experience what it had to offer.
One interesting location in Attica was The Cameron Manufacturing Company. The Cameron Manufacturing Company began producing cars and other vehicle parts. Cameron Manufacturing did not last very long; however, Attica still got to play a small part in their story because Attica was one of only two spots out of the nine total locations chosen to produce parts and automobile bodies. While Cameron Manufacturing didn’t have a long life, they were the only company to sell as many cars in as many states as they did. It is a neat part of history because little old Attica played a role.
One of the biggest things in the community that helped celebrate our history and culture was the Oak Ridge Festival. Two times a year the Oak Ridge Festival was held in July and August. The Oak Ridge Festival spanned across 40 acres, and was filled with craft vendors, food trucks, and antique farm equipment and a pre-1860 encampment. My personal favorite booth was an arrowhead display section. My great grandfather even sent his display out to be showcased at the festival.
The Oak Ridge Festival also showed off antique military supplies and provided information about the area prior to the development of the town. Finally, workers at the festival also showed us how they harvested their crops with really old tractors and horses back in the day. Since we were and still are a huge agricultural community, it is amazing to see where Attica’s roots started at.
One other location the town was known for is the Oliver tractor dealership on the north end of town. The Oliver tractors were simplistic and easy to work on, making them reliable farm machinery for the rural community. You can still see these tractors today in Attica and throughout nearby communities, standing as a reminder of Attica’s agricultural upbringing and rich history.
Attica has a wide variety of churches in the community. There is a Methodist church, Catholic church, Lutheran church, Baptist church and a non-denominational church. The churches in the community have done many things for the town. On veterans’ day they come together to help host a parade throughout Attica to celebrate the rich history we had and all the men and women who have served. They also host a community Vacation Bible School that many kids go to as well.
Attica was known for being an agricultural town when it was founded, and the same thing holds true today. However, the major feature that put Attica, Ohio on the map would be its location by the Sandusky-Pike railroad. Like many small towns - such as our neighbor to the east, Willard - Attica was built because of the railroad. Attica was much like Ada in its early beginnings and was very self-reliant. They had anything from a mill to a blacksmith in town. They also had dry goods stores and other small shops to get the essential things that people needed. As Attica grew, these small shops that were focused on small areas of needs were replaced by bigger stores that were more of a one-stop shop. Phasing out the small shops in Attica meant that less work would need to be done there.
When automobiles came around, being able to easily travel to Tiffin and other surrounding towns now made it even easier for families from Attica to go shopping and get the things they needed. In addition, people from surrounding cities and towns were easily able to travel to Attica and experience what it had to offer.
One interesting location in Attica was The Cameron Manufacturing Company. The Cameron Manufacturing Company began producing cars and other vehicle parts. Cameron Manufacturing did not last very long; however, Attica still got to play a small part in their story because Attica was one of only two spots out of the nine total locations chosen to produce parts and automobile bodies. While Cameron Manufacturing didn’t have a long life, they were the only company to sell as many cars in as many states as they did. It is a neat part of history because little old Attica played a role.
One of the biggest things in the community that helped celebrate our history and culture was the Oak Ridge Festival. Two times a year the Oak Ridge Festival was held in July and August. The Oak Ridge Festival spanned across 40 acres, and was filled with craft vendors, food trucks, and antique farm equipment and a pre-1860 encampment. My personal favorite booth was an arrowhead display section. My great grandfather even sent his display out to be showcased at the festival.
The Oak Ridge Festival also showed off antique military supplies and provided information about the area prior to the development of the town. Finally, workers at the festival also showed us how they harvested their crops with really old tractors and horses back in the day. Since we were and still are a huge agricultural community, it is amazing to see where Attica’s roots started at.
One other location the town was known for is the Oliver tractor dealership on the north end of town. The Oliver tractors were simplistic and easy to work on, making them reliable farm machinery for the rural community. You can still see these tractors today in Attica and throughout nearby communities, standing as a reminder of Attica’s agricultural upbringing and rich history.
Attica has a wide variety of churches in the community. There is a Methodist church, Catholic church, Lutheran church, Baptist church and a non-denominational church. The churches in the community have done many things for the town. On veterans’ day they come together to help host a parade throughout Attica to celebrate the rich history we had and all the men and women who have served. They also host a community Vacation Bible School that many kids go to as well.
