Sandusky, OH

Sandusky is a city located in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 28,527. Sandusky is located on Lake Erie, about halfway between Cleveland and Toledo. The city's economy is based on manufacturing, education, health care, tourism and retail sales.

The first Europeans to visit what would become Sandusky were French explorers in 1669 who named it "Le Sable" after sand that was plentiful along the shoreline. In 1794, General Anthony Wayne led an American army through this area during his campaign against the British at the Battle of Fallen Timbers; he camped near what is now downtown Sandusky for several days while awaiting reinforcements from Detroit. The first permanent settlement in what would become Sandusky was made by David Zeisberger in 1805 on land he purchased from the Wyandot Indians near present-day Pioneer Park on State Street (now East State Street). Zeisberger built a sawmill and gristmill on this site; these mills were operated until 1839 when they burned down.

In 1810, John Chapman opened a general store here which became one of Ohio's largest businesses; Chapman also served as postmaster and mayor of Sandusky from 1815 to 1817. In 1825, Joseph Hart opened a hotel which became known as Hart's Hotel; this hotel was later renamed The Mansion House Hotel and then The Grand Hotel before closing in 1966.

In 1840, Elias Howe opened a machine shop which became known as Howe Machine Works; this business remained in operation until 1988 when it was sold to Caterpillar Incorporated. In 1850, James Harkness established Harkness & Co., one of Ohio's earliest dry goods stores; this business remained in operation until 1984 when it was sold to Meijer Incorporated.

The arrival of railroads led to increased development in Sandusky beginning in the mid-19th century; two rail lines passed through town –the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad (later part of Conrail) and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (later part of Norfolk Southern). These railroads provided transportation for goods produced by local factories –including those operated by Elias Howe –and passengers traveling to destinations such as Cleveland or Toledo.

In 1886, Jeptha Wade founded Wade Glass Company which remains one of Ohio's largest glass manufacturers today; Wade Glass has been headquartered here since its inception.. Other major businesses founded during this period include The Wigwam Theatre (1893), Western Union Telegraph Company (1895), Kresge Drug Store (1901), First National Bank (1902), Kroger Grocery Stores (1906), United States Rubber Company (1907), LTV Corporation (1945) and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (1948).

During World War II , Camp Shelby , an Army training facility located just outside town , played an important role in training soldiers for combat operations overseas . After World War II ended , many veterans returned home and began purchasing homes here –resulting in significant growth throughout the 1950s and 1960s . Today , Sandusky continues to be home to many large companies –including Procter & Gamble , 3M Corporation , Eaton Corporation , Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and McDonald's Corporation –as well as numerous smaller businesses .