Nelsonville, Ohio
Nelsonville is a city of 4,279 people in Athens County, Ohio, founded in 1814.
Why visit Nelsonville
Townapedia lists 8 museums and landmarks, 2 parks and trails, 15 places to eat and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Stuart's Opera House, Dew House and Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84°F; January lows average 19°F.
Weather in Nelsonville
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Nelsonville
Nelsonville is a city in northwestern Athens County, Ohio, United States, located about 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Columbus. The population was 5,373 at the 2020 census. It is home to Hocking College as well as Rocky Brands. Nelsonville is surrounded by Ohio's only national forest, the Wayne National Forest.
From the Wikipedia article Nelsonville, Ohio (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Stuart's Opera House
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Opera house in Nelsonville, Ohio, USA
52 Public Square, Nelsonville
Museums and landmarks8
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Dew House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic building in Nelsonville, Ohio, United States
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic District in Nelsonville, Athens County, Ohio, USA
Parks, trails and playgrounds2
Restaurants and cafes15
Little Italy
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.4 mi
Canal Street, Nelsonville
Domino's
Fast food · Pizza · 0.8 mi
1101 Canal Street, Nelsonville
Mo-Th 10:30-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-01:00; Su 10:30-24:00
3 more on the map.
History
First settled in 1814 by Daniel Nelson, Nelsonville was incorporated in 1838 with Charles Cable as its first mayor. Nelsonville blossomed into a classic Appalachian town by the mid-19th century, relying on the extractive industries of coal, clay and salt. Like many large mining towns, Nelsonville was home to a large hotel, The Dew House, and a thriving theater, Stuart's Opera House, both located on the Public Square.
During the American Civil War's famed Morgan's Raid, Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan paused in Nelsonville in July 1863 and burned ten wooden canal boats. However, the 400 confederates failed to destroy a covered bridge over the Hocking Canal when citizens rushed to extinguish the blaze after the raiders rode off. This allowed Union cavalry to continue their pursuit of the fleeing Confederates when they arrived in Nelsonville two hours later. Upon arriving in town, the Union cavalry was delighted that the townspeople had prepared a feast for them.
In 1888, Nelsonville became the first city in the United States west of the Allegheny Mountains to have citywide electric street lights.
From the History section of Nelsonville, Ohio on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship11
Church of the Epiphany
Church · Episcopal · 0.4 mi
193 Jefferson Street, Nelsonville
First Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 0.5 mi
Washington Street, Nelsonville
Nelsonville Wesleyan Church
Church · Wesleyan · 0.4 mi
Chestnut Street, Nelsonville
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries10
Nelsonville Public Library
Library · 0.7 mi
95 West Washington Street, Nelsonville
Tri-County Career Center Building
School · 1.9 mi
15676 State Route 691, Nelsonville
Healthcare4
OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center
Hospital · 1.6 mi
11 John Lloyd Evans Memorial Drive, Nelsonville
Map of Nelsonville
56 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 19°F | 3.2 in |
| Feb | 42°F | 21°F | 2.9 in |
| Mar | 52°F | 28°F | 3.7 in |
| Apr | 65°F | 37°F | 4.1 in |
| May | 74°F | 48°F | 4.3 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 57°F | 4.7 in |
| Jul | 84°F | 61°F | 4.7 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 59°F | 3.5 in |
| Sep | 78°F | 52°F | 2.9 in |
| Oct | 67°F | 40°F | 3.1 in |
| Nov | 54°F | 30°F | 2.8 in |
| Dec | 43°F | 23°F | 3.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Logan (10 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
Athens County has had 13 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
Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Regional Airport (ATO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 17 miles away.
- The Plains 8 mi southeast, about 13 min by car
- Glouster 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- Athens 11 mi southeast, about 18 min by car
- McArthur 20 mi southwest, about 32 min by car
- Crooksville 22 mi north, about 36 min by car
- Somerset 24 mi north, about 39 min by car
- McConnelsville 25 mi northeast, about 40 min by car
- Roseville 25 mi north, about 40 min by car
- Lancaster 27 mi northwest, about 44 min by car
- Zanesville 36 mi north, about 58 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
- Nelsonville Ohio, Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617627302, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949804574, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949803994, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville-Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 25408981743, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949805894, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949800884, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617629302, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617630422, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617626332, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949801684, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949805124, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617621702, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 38849416520, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617634272, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617620592, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617623742, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville-Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 25408980943, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 26788397708, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949811194, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville-Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 25918474762, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Greetings from Nelsonville, Ohio - Large Letter Postcard (8540811995), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville-Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 25406354094, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville-Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 25738301180, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC), Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617632892, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 40617622812, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949808324, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville Ohio - panoramio, Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historical Stuart's Building, Nelsonville, OH - panoramio, Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historical Trading Post, Nelsonville, OH - panoramio, Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nelsonville Ohio - panoramio (1), Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Masonic Hall, Nelsonville, OH - panoramio, Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nelsonville Central School Bell Close Up, Ron Bailey from Nelsonville, OH, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville Central School Bell, Ron Bailey from Nelsonville, OH, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Nelsonville - Nelsonville High School (OHPTC) - 39949809724, Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA, CC BY 2.0
- Stuarts Opera House, Jaknouse, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dew House, Jaknouse, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hocking Valley Scenic Railway diesel locomotive No. 701 - November 2015 - 02, Ron Bailey, CC BY 2.0
- Hocking Valley Scenic Railway diesel locomotive No. 701 - November 2015 - 01, Ron Bailey, CC BY 2.0
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