Buckeye Appraisal Service: FHA Approved Ohio Residential Appraisal Services

Williams County

June 25th, 2010

Welcome Williams County Homeowners!

Williams County offers an interesting mix of farmers, working class and people pursing an advanced education. OSU opened an extension in Williams county focusing on Agricultural advancements. Williams County has its own Agriculture Blog and is the home of many companies which have developed many notable products.

Williams county

Founded: April 1, 1820

Area: 421.74 sq mi

Named for: David Williams (1754-1831), captor of spy John André during the Revolutionary War

County Seat: Bryan, Ohio

Williams County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Williams County Official Site

Fun Fact: Bryan is home to several companies whose products are far reaching: Ohio Art, maker of the Etch-A-Sketch and Betty Spaghetty toys, and Spangler Candy Company, makers of Dum Dum Pops and among the largest makers of candy canes in the world.

People of note from County: Bob Hartman - Guitarist and founder of the pioneer Christian Rock Band Petra, Margaret A. Goodell - Discovered a novel method to isolate adult stem cells. Founding member and director of the Star Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Sam Hornish, Jr. Former IRL driver and current NASCAR driver, Morry Hummel – Founder of Hummel Aviation and designer of the Hummel Bird aircraft, Ned Garver - Former Major League Baseball player from 1948–1961, William Isaac - Former Chairman of the Federal from 1981 to 1985 and frequent commentator on financial regulatory matters.

Major Employers: Allied Moulded Products Inc, Community Hospitals, Ingersoll-Rand Co, ITW/Tomco, Plastics, Kumi Kasei/KAMCO industries, Letts Industries/Powers & Sons, Midwest Stamping Co, Ohio Art Co, Spangler Candy Co, Titan Tire Corp

Cities: Bryan

Villages: Blakeslee, Edgerton, Edon, Holiday City, Montpelier, Pioneer, Stryker, West Unity

Townships: Brady, Bridgewater, Center, Florence, Jefferson, Madison, Mill Creek, Northwest, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Springfield, Superior

Other communities:

Ainger, Alvordton, Berlin, Bridgewater Center, Columbia, Cooney, Franklin Junction, Hallock, Hamer, Hillcrest, Kunkle, Lock Port, Melbern, Mina, Nettle Lake, West Jefferson, Williams Center

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Portage County

June 6th, 2010

Welcome Portage County Homeowners!

“From its gently rolling pastures, to its industrial parks and city centers, Portage County has something to offer everyone.” Home of Kent State University, there is an interesting mix of rural and urban communities. “Portage County’s growing business base now hosts a range of industry producing an array of products, from toys to lamp bulbs to aircraft components.” (co.portage.oh.us)

Portage county

Founded: June 7, 1807

Area: 492.39 sq mi

Named for: Derived from an Indian portage

County Seat: Ravenna, Ohio

Portage County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Portage County Official Site

Fun Fact: In 1942, the US government chose Windham as the site of an army camp for workers at the newly-built Ravenna Arsenal. As a result, Windham experienced the largest increase in population of any municipality in the United States between the 1940 and 1950 censuses: The population increased from 316 residents to 3,946.

People of note from County: Anne Heche – actress, Eddie Morgan, former Major League Baseball player. Athletes include football players Antonio Gates, Joshua Cribbs, and Jack Lambert; Major League Baseball players Thurman Munson, Rich Rollins, and Andy Sonnanstine; and college football coaches Nick Saban and Lou Holtz. Comedians Drew Carey and Arsenio Hall, actor Michael Keaton, musician Joe Walsh, and additional members of the band Devo attended and spent time at Kent State University. Chris Bangle; automobile designer, David D. Busch; best-selling author, William Rufus Day; U.S. Supreme Court justice, Calvin Hampton; Classical organist, Al Hodge; actor in films such as Captain Video and The Green Hornet and producer of The Lone Ranger radio program, Maynard James Keenan; singer for Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer, Marvin Kent; politician and businessman, namesake for neighboring city of Kent, Peggy King; singer and television personality, Don Nottingham; pro football player, Henry Adoniram Swift; third governor of Minnesota, Erastus B. Tyler; Union general in the American Civil War, Jeffrey Harold West; pro football kicker, Don M. Wilson III; former Chief Risk Officer at JP Morgan Chase Bank

Major Employers: East Manufacturing Corp, General Electric Co, Kent City Board of Education, Kent State University, McMaster-Carr Supply Co, Ravenna City Bd of Ed, Robinson Memorial Hospital, State of Ohio, Step2 Company

Cities: Aurora, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro

Villages: Brady Lake, Garrettsville, Hiram, Mantua, Mogadore, Sugar Bush Knolls, Windham

Townships: Atwater, Brimfield, Charlestown, Deerfield, Edinburg, Franklin, Freedom, Hiram, Mantua, Nelson, Palmyra, Paris, Randolph, Ravenna, Rootstown, Shalersville, Suffield, Windham

Other communities: Diamond, Wayland, Brimfield

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Pickaway County

June 4th, 2010

Welcome Pickaway County Homeowners!

From pumpkins to the paranormal, Pickaway County has it all! The county is proudly celebrating its bicentennal with a variety of festivals and events throughout the county. From their Visitor’s guide:

In 2010, Pickaway County and Circleville will celebrate in a variety of ways, including a special “Bicentennial Parade” the night before the official opening of the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Other activities scheduled will be a re-enactment of the first murder trial in Pickaway County, and historic guided walking tours of historic downtown Circleville. Many of the yearly festivals and events listed in this guide will have a Bicentennial theme for 2010. For updated information, please contact the Pickaway County Welcome Center at 888.770.7425

Pickaway county

Founded: March 1, 1810

Area: 501.91 sq mi

Named for: A misspelling of the Piqua tribe, a branch of the Shawnee
or
A variant of a Native American word “Piqua”

County Seat: Circleville

Pickaway County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Pickaway County Official Site and Links

Fun Fact: County Motto: “The Pick of Ohio.”

People of note from Pickaway County: Frederick Burr Opper (cartoonist, creator of Happy Hooligan), Susan Perkins (Miss America 1978), Caleb Atwater (“Father of Ohio’s Public School System”), Benjamin Hanby (composer), Ted Lewis (“the Jazz King” – musician and entertainer)

Major Employers : ALSCO Metals Corp, Berger Health System, Circleville City Bd of Ed, E I du Pont de Nemours & Co, General Electric Co, Logan Elm Local Bd of Ed, PPG Industries Inc, State of Ohio, Teays Valley Local Bd of Ed, Wal-Mart Stores Inc

Cities: Circleville

Villages: Ashville, Commercial Point, Darbyville, Harrisburg,New Holland, Orient, South Bloomfield, Tarlton, Williamsport

Townships: Circleville, Darby, Deer Creek, Harrison, Jackson, Madison, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Perry, Pickaway, Salt Creek, Scioto, Walnut, Washington, Wayne

Census-designated places: Logan Elm Village

Other communities: Derby

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Ottawa County

June 1st, 2010

Welcome Ottawa County Homeowners!

Ottawa county is probably best known for Put-in-Bay, and its many attractions. The small island boasts an array of activities, historical homes, the oldest lighthouse in Ohio, and the 3rd tallest US monument. Ottawa county has a rich history, and is where Admiral Perry reported the famous words: “”We have met the enemy and they are ours…” to General Harrison.

Ottawa county

Founded: March 6, 1840

Area: 254.95 sq mi

Named for: the Ottawa Indians; Ottawa means “trader” in their language

County Seat: Port Clinton, Ohio

Ottawa County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Ottawa County Official Site

Fun Fact: The Crystal Cave is a limestone cave located in Put-in-Bay, with walls that display large crystals. It is also the world’s largest known geode.

People of note from Ottowa County: Louis C. Shepard, American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient from Ashtabula County, Crystal Bowersox, American Idol contestant, Steve Saunders – Television host/actor, Chris Redfern - Current chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and former Ohio House Minority Leader.

Major Employers :

Benton-Carroll-Salem Local Bd of Ed, Brush Wellman Inc, FirstEnergy Corp, Luther Home of Mercy, Magruder Hospitalm Ottawa County Government, Port Clinton City Bd of Ed, Silgan Holdings Inc, USG Corp/US Gypsup Co

Cities: Port Clinton

Villages: Clay Center, Elmore, Genoa, Marblehead, Oak Harbor, Put-in-Bay, Rocky Ridge

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Plain City Heritage Days

May 25th, 2010

Click here to view these pictures larger

The cast and crew of Buckeye Appraisal Service made their way out to the Plain City Heritage days. This new event was jointly produced by the Plain City Heritage Group (PCHG) and Uptown Plain City Organization (UPCO), and took place Saturday, May 22nd from 9am-4pm. Vendors like Beachy Barns, Miller’s Furniture, Der Dutchman Restaurant, Dutch Kitchen, The Cheese House, Carlisle Gifts, and Yutzy’s Farm Market – and several others – came out to celebrate this inaugural festival. There was even an appearance by the OSU Buckeyeman (pictured with our very own Joe Vowell).

The schedule boasted a variety of events over two locations. There were two different barn raisings, storytelling, horse-drawn wagon rides, furniture building, basket weaving, live music, face painting, a petting zoo, and samples of wares from many local restaurants and businesses. For the detailed schedule, click here.

Our little group started out at Der Dutchman for breakfast before wandering through the festival. Our office manager Kristen is still new to the Columbus area and had never been to Plain City. She left the festival with a bag of kettle corn, a camera full of pictures, and a week’s worth of goodies from Yutzy’s farm market. We had to convince her to leave behind the pony….

We had a wonderful time in the village of Plain City, and encourage you to explore the town. Despite its rural appearance, it is only 15 minutes from Marysville and 10 minutes from Dublin. (For those not familiar with the area, it is about 20 miles northwest of Columbus). For more information, browse the Plain City site, the Plain City Library site, or the Plain City Historical Society site.

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Madison County

May 19th, 2010

Welcome Madison County Homeowners!

From Deer Creek Lodge and Conference Center to the Jonathan Alder Cabin, Madison County is a lush, agriculturally important area. It is ‘4th in both soybean and corn production in Ohio, and annually in September the Ohio State University hosts the Farm Science Review, one of the largest farm exhibitions in the world, at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio.’ Madison County Attractions include Madison Lake State Park, the Red Brick Tavern, Rails to Trails, and the State and National Scenic River.’ – from the Madison County Official Site.

Madison county

Founded: *February 16, 1810

Area: 465.44 sq. mi.

Named for: President James Madison (1751-1836)

County Seat: London, OH (check out their historic downtown!)

Madison County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Madison County Official Site

Madison County Chamber of Commerce (great for visitor information!)

Fun Fact: 88% of the land making up Madison County is made up of farms. The county’s prolific soybean and corn production is fourth highest in the state.

People of note from Madison County:

Major Employers : Battelle Memorial Institute, Kikuchi Metal et al/Jefferson Industries, London City Bd of Ed, Madison County Hospital, Nissen Chemitec/London Industries, Showa Demko KK/Showa Aluminum Cor, Stanley Electric U S Co Inc, Staples Inc, State of Ohio, Target Corp

Cities: London

Villages: Midway, Mount Sterling, Plain City, South Solon, West Jefferson

Townships: Canaan, Darby, Deer Creek, Fairfield, Jefferson, Monroe, Oak Run, Paint, Pike, Pleasant, Range, Somerford, Stokes, Union

Census-designated places: Choctaw Lake

Other communities: Amity, Big Plain, Chenoweth, Chrisman, Florence, Gillivan, Kileville, Kiousville, Lafayette, Lilly Chapel, McClimansville, Newport, Plumwood, Range, Resaca, Rosedale, Rupert, Summerford, Tradersville, Wrightsville

* Alternative sources date establisment to March 1, 1810

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Licking County

May 15th, 2010

Welcome Licking County Homeowners!

The Visitor’s bureau of Licking county invites you to “enjoy spectacular arboretums, great golf, recreational trails, historic sites, water parks, spas and quaint small towns filled with antiques, unique shops and boutiques.” You can also visit the famed Granville Inn, Dennison University, or tour the Longaberger Home office, an icon in novelty architecture. Unique to the area are places like The Works, Ye Olde Mille (home to Velvet Ice Cream), Newark Earthworks, and Buckeye Winery.

Licking county

Founded: March 1, 1808

Area: 686.50 sq mi

Named for: the salt licks in the area

County Seat: Newark, OH

Licking County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Licking County Official Site

Licking County Visitor’s bureau

Fun Fact: Six-year-old piano prodigy Gavin George from Granville just played Carneigie Hall! Read all about it!

People of note from Licking County: Fassett Family (Gold Rush Letters), Elias Hughes (One of County’s First Settlers) Jerrie Mock (Pilot), John Ratliff (One of County’s First Settlers), Joseph Rider (Inventor), La Marcus Adna Thompson (Inventor), Joseph C. Wehrle (Industrialist), Judge William B. Woods, Victoria Claflin Woodhull (activist, stock broker, journalist, first woman to be nominated President), Clarence White (photographer), Bow Wow (musician), Scott Hamilton (ice skater), Alissa Czisny (US Figure Skater), Shannon Niquette Stewart (model), “Mad” Ann Bailey (scout and spy for pioneers), Dave Blaney (race car driver), Frederick Burr Opper (cartoonist, creator of Happy Hooligan), Susan Perkins (Miss America 1978)

Major Employers : Anomatic Corp, ArvinMeritor Inc, Boeing Co, Denison University, Kroger Co, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Newark City Bd of Ed, Owens-Corning, State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins Co

Cities: Alexandria, Buckeye Lake, Granville, Gratiot, Hanover, Hartford, Heath, Hebron, Johnstown. Kirkersville, Newark, New Albany, Pataskala, Reynoldsburg. St. Louisville, Utica

Townships: Bennington. Bowling Green, Burlington, Eden, Etna, Fallsbury, Franklin, Granville, Hanover, Harrison, Hartford. Hopewell, Jersey, Liberty, Licking, Madison, Mary Ann, McKean, Monroe, Newark, Newton, Perry, St. Albans, Union, Washington

Census-designated places: Beechwood Trails, Granville South, Harbor Hills

Other communities: Brownsville, Etna, Homer, Jacksontown

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Fulton County

April 26th, 2010

Welcome Fulton County Homeowners!

Fulton was one of the last counties to be organized in Ohio. It was made up of parts of Lucas, Henry, Defiance and Williams counties, and Michigan. The Michigan State Line was moved north about 7 miles following the “Toledo War” which was a dispute between the two states as to who owned Toledo. It was given to Ohio in 1840. In the same fighting attitude The Fulton County Motto is Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Facium (I will find a way or I will make one).

Fulton county

Founded: April 1, 1850

Area: 406.78 sq mi

Named for: Robert Fulton (1765–1815), inventor of the steamboat

County Seat: Wauseon, Ohio

County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

County Official Site

Fulton County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Fulton County Official Site

Fun Fact: Swanton Memorial Park is home to one of E. M. Viquesney’s “Spirit of the American Doughboy” statues. The sculpture was one of several donated as a gift by France to U.S. cities that had lost many soldiers during World War I.

People of note from County: Jon Lugbill, American slalom canoer who competed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Barney Oldfield, legendary car racer in the early 1900s, Rick Volk, member of the Baltimore Colts Super Bowl III and V (champions) teams. Sam Hornish, Jr., current NASCAR driver. Erie J. Sauder, inventor of the “knock-down” ready-to-assemble furniture.

Major Employers: Dana Corp, Fulton County Government and Health Center, International Automotive Components, ITT Industries Inc, North Star BlueScope Steel LLC, Sauder Woodworking Co, TRW Automotive

Cities: Wauseon

Villages: Archbold, Delta, Fayette, Lyons, Metamora, Swanton

Townships: Amboy, Chesterfield, Clinton, Dover, Franklin, Fulton, German, Gorham, Pike, Royalton, Swan Creek, York

Other communities:

Advance, Ai, Assumption, Brailey, Burlington, Denson, Dutch Ridge, Eckley, Elmira, Inlet, Lytton, Oak Shade, Ottokee, Pettisville, Powers, Seward, South Delta, Tedrow, Thelma, Winameg, Zone

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Franklin County

April 25th, 2010

Welcome Franklin County Homeowners!

You are in the heart of Ohio if you are are a resident of Franklin County. Made up of 13 cities, 12 villages, and 17 townships, the county is centrally located, and boasts a wide vareity of attractions. Visitors to Franklin county can go to the Columbus Zoo, COSI watch the Blue Jackets or the Columbus Clippers, visit the nation’s largest university, or go to any of the number of festivals hosted year-round all around the county. Into numbers? There are 9 local TV stations, 26 local radio stations, 3 daily newspapers, 1 4-year public university, 1 2-year public college, 7 private universities and colleges, 6 commercial airports, 17 registered hospitals, and 854 voting precincts.

Franklin county

Founded: April 30, 1803

Area: 539.87 sq. mi

Named for: Benjamin Franklin

County Seat: Columbus, Ohio

Franklin County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Franklin County Official Site

Fun Fact: The county weather motto is “Wait five minutes; it’ll change.”

People of note from Franklin County: R. L. Stine (author),Jack Nicklaus (winner of record eighteen golf majors), Eddie Rickenbacker (WWII figher pilot; “Ace of Aces”), James Thurber (cartoonist and humorist), Dwight Yoakam (singer, actor), Curtis LeMay (Founder of Strategic Air Command), Howard Dwight Smith (architect), Granville Woods (inventor), Ben Curtis (golf player), James “Buster” Douglas(boxer), Sarah Fisher (race car driver), Terry Glenn (football player), Archie Griffin (football player), Andy Hampsten (cyclist, Only American to win Giro d’Italia), Jack Hanna (zoo director, animal expert), Chris Quinn (basketball player), Mike Furrey (football player), Woody Hayes (football coach), Lance Moore (football player), Benjamin Hanby (writer, composer), Scott Klace (actor), Domenik Hixon (football player), Rachael Harris (actress/comedienne), Byron Mullens (basketball player)

Major Employers : Abbott Laboratories/Ross Products, American Electric Power Co, Battelle Memorial Institute Cardinal Health Inc, Huntington Bancshares Inc, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Limited Brands Inc, National City Corp, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co, Ohio State University OhioHealth Schottenstein Stores Corp, State of Ohio, Wendy’s International Inc

Cities: Bexley,Columbus, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Grove City, Hilliard, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, Worthington

Villages: Brice, Canal Winchester, Groveport, Harrisburg, Lockbourne, Marble Cliff, Minerva Park, New Albany, Obetz, Riverlea, Urbancrest, Valleyview

Townships: Blendon, Brown, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Mifflin, Norwich, Perry, Plain, Pleasant, Prairie,Sharon, Truro, Washington

Census-designated places: Blacklick Estates, Huber Ridge, Lake Darby, Lincoln Village

Other communities: Amlin, Blacklick, Darbydale, Flint

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Fairfield County

April 23rd, 2010

Welcome Fairfield County Homeowners!

Whether you want to find Ohio’s original covered bridges, are curious about the glass industry, or love touring gardens, you can find it in Fairfield county. History buffs can trek to the birthplace of William Tecumseh Sherman while art enthusiasts should put the Lancaster Festival on their calendars. More into shopping and golf? Not a problem! Check out the Fairfield county Visitor’s Bureau for more information!

Fairfield county

Founded: December 9, 1800

Area: 505.11 sq mi.

Named for: the beauty of its “fair fields.”

County Seat: Lancaster

Fairfield County Profile (from Ohio.gov)

Fairfield County Official Site

Fun Fact:

People of note from Fairfield County: David Graf (actor), William Tecumseh Sherman (soldier, politician), Allan Anderson (baseball player), Bobby Carpenter (football player), Benjamin Hanby (writer, composer),

Major Employers : Anchor Hocking Corp, Cyril-Scott Co, Fairfield Medical Center, Kroger Co, Lancaster City Bd of Ed, McDermott, Int’l/Diamond Power, Meijer Inc, Pickerington Local Bd of Ed, Ralcorp/Ralston Foods, State of Ohio

Cities: Columbus, Lancaster, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg

Villages: Amanda, Baltimore, Bremen, Buckeye Lake, Canal Winchester, Carroll, Lithopolis, Millersport, Pleasantville, Rushville, Stoutsville, Sugar Grove, Thurston, West Rushville

Townships: Amanda, Berne, Bloom, Clearcreek, Greenfield, Hocking, Liberty, Madison, Pleasant, Richland, Rush Creek, Violet, Walnut

Census-designated place: Fairfield Beach

Other communities: Colfax, Hooker, Oakland, Royalton

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