Belpre, Ohio
Belpre is a city of 6,654 people in Washington County, Ohio, founded in 1789.
Why visit Belpre
Townapedia lists 47 museums and landmarks, 14 parks and trails, 27 places to eat and 6 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Parkersburg Bridge, Blennerhassett Island Bridge, Blennerhassett Hotel and Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 87°F; January lows average 24°F.
Weather in Belpre
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Belpre
Belpre (historically spelled Belpré; pronounced BEL-pree) is a city in Washington County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River across from Parkersburg, West Virginia. The population was 6,728 at the 2020 census. Its name derives from "Belle Prairie" (French for "beautiful meadow"), the name given to the valley by French trappers prior to the first American settlement at the site.
From the Wikipedia article Belpre, Ohio (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do6
Parkersburg Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Railway bridge across the Ohio River
Blennerhassett Island Bridge
Bridge · 2.9 mi
Bridge over the Ohio River connecting Ohio and West Virginia
Memorial Bridge
Bridge · 1.6 mi
Bridge in West Virginia and Belpre, Ohio
Parkersburg–Belpre Bridge
Bridge · 1.6 mi
Highway bridge across the Ohio River
Museums and landmarks47
Blennerhassett Hotel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Hotel in Parkersburg, United States of America
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Plantation
Smoot Theatre
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Theater and former movie theater in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States
Avery Street Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic district in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Captain Jonathan Stone House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic house in Belpre, Ohio, United States
Carnegie Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic building in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States
Case House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic house in West Virginia, United States
Charles Rice Ames House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
United States historic place
Citizens National Bank
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Building in West Virginia, United States
Cook House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Building in West Virginia, United States
Dr. W. W. Monroe House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Historic house in West Virginia, United States
Elks Club
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Building in Parkersburg, West Virginia
35 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds14
2 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes27
Belair’s Bistro & Catering
Restaurant · Sandwich, Burger, Dessert
1500 Washington Boulevard, Belpre
Mo-Tu 11:00-15:00; We-Th 11:00-17:00; Fr 11:00-18:30
15 more on the map.
History
The first settlement at Belpre was made in 1788. In 1845 railroad developers founded the Belpre and Cincinnati Railroad, but the destination was changed to Marietta, with a corresponding name change in 1851. For a considerable period of time, travelers had to go by steamboat to connect between Marietta and Parkersburg, Virginia; the latter received service from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1857. This was shortly before the western part of Virginia seceded in 1861 after the start of the American Civil War to form Unionist West Virginia. Belpre and Marietta were later connected by rail. Coal service is still active on this line.
From 1868–1870, the B&O built the Parkersburg Bridge (CSX) between West Virginia and Belpre, on its main line to St. Louis, Missouri. Designed by Jacob Linville, when completed in 1870 the bridge was reportedly the longest in the world at 7,140 feet (2,180 m). The bridge attracted more trade to the town, enabled shipping Ohio coal to the East Coast, and improved access on both sides of the river.
From the History section of Belpre, Ohio on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship23
Trinity Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Bethel AME Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
First Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
First Presbyterian Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Henry Logan Memorial AME Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
St. Francis Xavier Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Trinity Episcopal Church Rectory
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Belpre Church of the Nazarene
Church · Nazarene · 0.4 mi
1301 Putnam Howe Drive, Belpre
Belpre Heights United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 0.8 mi
720 Clement Avenue, Belpre
Shopping4
Gas and EV charging4
Schools, colleges and libraries27
Healthcare5
Map of Belpre
157 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°F | 24°F | 3.4 in | 5.5 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 26°F | 3.0 in | 3.3 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 32°F | 4.0 in | 1.0 in |
| Apr | 67°F | 42°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 76°F | 53°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 83°F | 62°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 87°F | 66°F | 4.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 86°F | 64°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 80°F | 57°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 68°F | 45°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 55°F | 35°F | 2.8 in | 0.2 in |
| Dec | 44°F | 29°F | 3.4 in | 1.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Parkersburg (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Washington County has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-03-31: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-04-08: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
- 2018-04-17: Severe Storms, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2012-08-20: Severe Storms And Straight-Line Winds (Severe Storm)
- 2012-06-30: Severe Storms (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Parkersburg 3 mi southeast, about 5 min by car
- Vienna 4 mi northeast, about 7 min by car
- Marietta 13 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Reno 13 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Devola 15 mi northeast, about 24 min by car
- Beverly 19 mi north, about 30 min by car
- Newport 21 mi east, about 35 min by car
- Athens 27 mi west, about 44 min by car
- McConnelsville 29 mi northwest, about 47 min by car
- The Plains 30 mi west, about 47 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Capt. Jonathan Stone House, Bwsmith84 ( talk )., CC BY 3.0
- Rainbow over Washington Boulevard in Belpre, Ohio, 2026-07-04, Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rainbow over Washington Boulevard at Maple Street · Belpre, Ohio · 2026-07-04, Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sixth Street Railroad Bridge Belpre Ohio, Bwsmith84 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
- Parkersburg-Belpre Bridge - panoramio, MisterZero, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Blennerhassett Hotel - Parkersburg, West Virginia - DSC05584, Daderot, CC0
- Blennerhassett Mansion retouched, WVhybrid, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Smoot Theater in Parkersburg, Nyttend, Public domain
- Jackson Memorial Fountain Parkersburg, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Parkersburg, Nyttend, Public domain
- Parkersburg First Presbyterian Church, Nyttend, Public domain
- Parkersburg First Baptist Church, Nyttend, Public domain
- Dr. W. W. Monroe House, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Parkersburg Masonic Temple, Nyttend, Public domain
- Union Trust National Bank in Parkersburg, Nyttend, Public domain
- The Peter Van Winkle House, Jstewall at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- House at 10th and Avery Streets, Nyttend, Public domain
- Fort Boreman, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Peter G. Van Winkle House site, Nyttend, Public domain
- Parkersburg Carnegie Library, Nyttend, Public domain
- Parkersburg High School, Jstewall at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- Wood County Courthouse Parkersburg West Virginia, Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- Mather Building in Parkersburg, Nyttend, Public domain
- Stephenson House, Parkersburg, West Virginia, Archie A. Biggs, Public domain
- Gould House Parkersburg, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Parkersburg Women's Club, Nyttend, Public domain
- Tavenner House Parkersburg, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- W. H. BICKEL ESTATE, PARKERSBURG, WOOD COUNTY, WV, JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sharon Lodge No. 28 IOOF, Nyttend, Public domain
- Charles Rice Ames House, Bwsmith84 ( talk ), CC BY 3.0
- Walton Wait House site, Nyttend, Public domain
- Cook House in Parkersburg WV, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St. John's Lutheran Church on Avery Street, Nyttend, Public domain
- Oeldorf Building in Parkersburg, Nyttend, Public domain
- Henry Cooper House, Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ISS036-E-811 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-112429 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS052-E-12216 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- New Blennerhasset Bridge - panoramio, MisterZero, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sixth Street Railroad Bridge, William E. Barrett, Public domain
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