About Van Wert County

The year is 1790. Native Americans enjoy a peaceful paradise near the Maumee Valley region. The rich ground is a triangle bordered by three rivers -- the Maumee, Auglaize and St. Mary's. In 1820, these Native American hunting grounds became Van Wert County.

The City of Van Wert began its history in 1834 when James Wilson Riley bought 240 acres of land for the location of a town in the center of the county. In 1838, the City of Van Wert was named county seat, replacing Willshire. As with most successful cities, transportation hastened development. In the mid-1800s the nearby Miami-Erie Canal, followed by the railroads, spurred commerce and brought markets closer.

The nation's first transcontinental road, the Lincoln Highway, connected the entire county to Van Wert's Main Street at the start of the 20th century. Van Wert's heritage is predominantly German, Dutch and Welsh. This is a heartland county rich in tradition.