Fremont, Ohio

History

The area which is now Fremont was originally a Wyandot village. In the 1750s a French trading post was established there. In 1787 the United States established the Northwest Territory, and in 1803 the southeastern portion of the Territory was admitted to the Union as part of the new state of Ohio. During the early and mid 1800s a few Europeans and African Americans, predominantly runaway slaves, settled in the area, which became known as Lower Sandusky for its location on the Sandusky River. Under the terms of Ohio's admission, Lower Sandusky was defined as Indian Territory, so the non-Wyandot settlements were in direct violation of the Treaty of Greeneville; at one point the United States Army considered removing the settlers by force, but did not carry out the threat. Fort Stephenson was built there during the War of 1812, and the Battle of Fort Stephenson was fought there in August 1813.

In 1821 Lower Sandusky became the county seat of Sandusky County. The town gradually expanded, with primary occupations being shipbuilding, fishing, and agricultural processing. In 1849 the residents changed the name of Lower Sandusky to Fremont, in honor of John C. Frémont. In 1873 future president Rutherford B. Hayes moved into a family home in Fremont called Spiegel Grove. The home is now part of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the first presidential library in the United States (founded in 1916).

Geography

Fremont is located at 41°20′56″N 83°7′2″W (41.348909, -83.117123), along the Sandusky River.

The city has a total area of 8.57 square miles (22.20 km²), of which 8.35 square miles (21.63 km²) is land and 0.22 square miles (0.57 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 16,734 people, 6,745 households, and 4,162 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,004.1 inhabitants per square mile (773.8/km²). There were 7,541 housing units at an average density of 903.1 per square mile (348.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.7% White, 8.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 5.3% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.1% of the population.

There were 6,745 households of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.3% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 35.3 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,375 people, 6,856 households, and 4,374 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,313.1 people per square mile (893.3/km²). There were 7,368 housing units at an average density of 980.9 per square mile (378.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.24% White, 8.29% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 5.85% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.32% of the population.

There were 6,856 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,051, and the median income for a family was $39,439. Males had a median income of $32,453 versus $22,048 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,014. About 9.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

A Heinz ketchup plant is located in this town and is active. The city was also home to several cutlery companies The Christy Company, Clauss Cutlery Company, Quikut, B.A.P. Manufacturing, and the Ginsu Cutlery Line and Herbrand tools. It was the home to a Pioneer Sugar processing plant until it closed in 1997.

Annual cultural events

Landmarks

Historic downtown Fremont

Downtown Fremont is located next to the Sandusky River on Front Street. Front Street is home to many small businesses that include boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, and many other attractions fully listed below. Downtown Fremont, although it has been through many economic ups and downs has been the center point of the city for many years.

Government

The mayor of Fremont is Danny Sanchez, a Republican.

Education

Fremont City School District enrolls 4,198 students in public primary and secondary schools. The district administers seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, Fremont Ross. The city is home to one private Catholic high school, SJCC, and Temple Christian Academy operated by Fremont Baptist Temple (www.tcafremont.org),and to Terra Community College.

Media

Fremont's daily newspaper is The News-Messenger. WFRO-FM (99.1 FM) "Eagle 99" broadcasts from Fremont.

Transportation

The Norfolk Southern railroad serves the city. It uses parts of two defunct railroads as spurs to factories.

Two long-distance US routes run through Fremont, U.S. Route 6 and U.S. Route 20. State Routes 12, 19, 53 and 412 also pass through or terminate in the Fremont area. None of these routes actually pass through Fremont. Instead, they are all multiplexed on a bypass of the city, most of which is 4 lanes. The bypass has both grade level crossings and controlled access interchanges. Prior to the completion of the bypass in the late 1950s, all of these routes passed through Fremont. Their former alignments are currently signed as "City Route (number)" with the number being that of the predecessor highway.

The Ohio Turnpike, another long-distance east west route, passes approximately 4 miles north of the city. The Turnpike is signed as Interstates 80 and 90. Exit 91 (originally Exit 6) links the Turnpike to Fremont via State Route 53.

Health care

Notable people