 History
In 1790 surveyor Nathaniel Massie and his followers built a fort and settlement in the future Adams County. On July 10, 1797, Northwest Territory Governor Gen. Arthur St. Clair established the county by proclamation, making Adams the third county in what later would become Ohio.
The county’s history began even before the advent of recorded history itself. The first indigenous peoples came to America across a land bridge that connected Alaska and Siberia. These hunters and gatherers had no permanent campsites. Archaeologists believe these Paleo-Indians entered the Ohio region as early as 11,500 B.C. They are called the Fluted Point Complex because they used fluted arrowheads and spear points. Several of these distinctive fluted points have been found in Adams County.
About 1,000 B.C., indigenous mound builders created the Great Serpent Mound, a 1,335-foot long effigy mound resembling a giant, partially coiled snake. One of Ohio's few effigy mounds, it is the largest in the United States. The mound lies on a plateau overlooking the Brush Creek Valley. Nearby conical mounds contain burials and implements characteristic of the prehistoric Adena people.
Other symbols of Adams County's heritage remain. Houses still stand that once served as stops on the Underground Railroad. The Dr. A. C. Lewis and John T. Wilson Houses remind visitors of Ohio's abolitionist history.
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Business Opportunities An available workforce, abundance of raw materials, affordable land and lack of traffic congestion are some of the benefits Adams County employers enjoy.
Business Growth and Potential
Hardwoods abound in southern Ohio, and wood processing is a lucrative business opportunity in Adams County. Shawnee State University's state-of-the- art plastics engineering program in neighboring Scioto County has recently stimulated a plastic industry expansion in Adams County. Agribusiness opportunities such as ethanol plants and biomass industries are currently being explored in the county.
Major Employers
ACES Ohio Valley School District
Adams County Hospital
Cedar Works, LLC
DPL Inc. / Dayton Power and Light Co.
Eagle Creek Nursing Home
First Stop
General Electric - Peebles Testing Operation
MACA Plastics
McDonalds
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Natural Resources
Adams County offers a large supply of hardwood timber, large tracts of affordable land and water resources to new and expanding businesses. In addition, the many rare plants found in Adams County (rattle-snake master, pink milk-wort, prairie false indigo, prairie dock, blazing star, long-flowered alum root) highlight beautiful landscapes and make ecotourism a viable opportunity.
Business Support Organizations
The Adams County Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses and has implemented a revolving loan program to assist new and expanding businesses. The Adams County Community Improvement Corporation is currently trying to purchase a vacant industrial building to lease or sell. The Winchester Port Authority was recently established to further economic development in the county.
Adams County Chamber of Commerce
110 North Manchester St.
PO Box 398
West Union OH 45693
(937) 544-5454
Email: acchamber@verizon.net
Adams County Economic Development
215 N. Cross Street Suite 106
West Union OH 45693
(937) 544-5151
Adams-Brown County Economic Opportunities, Inc.
200 S. Green Street
Georgetown OH 45121
(800) 553-7393
Convention Facilities
National Geographic Traveler listed the Murphin Ridge Inn, located in the Wheat Ridge Amish community in Adams County, as one of the 54 great inns of America. The lodge features ten guest rooms, and on-site facilitators are available upon request.
Educational Opportunities
The Southern State Community College has a commuter campus located near the Adams and Brown County border, and a new computer and industrial training center near the Adams County airport. Shawnee State University, located in adjoining Scioto County, offers many undergraduate, selected graduate, night and weekend classes. Maysville Community College, located right across the Ohio River in Maysville, Kentucky, offers another educational opportunity in Adams County.
Tourism and Lifestyle
Recreation
The Edge of Appalachia Nature Preserve features wilderness trails, scenic vistas, rare plants and other amenities for hiking, bird watching and general nature enjoyment. The Ohio River, Ohio Brush Creek and thousands of acres of forest all support hiking, fishing, boating and hunting in Adams County.
Entertainment, Shopping and Festivals
- The Serpent Mound, believed to have been built in 1070, is the largest effigy mound in the world.
- The Wheat Ridge area is home to a large Amish community that owns and operates many bakeries, homemade furniture and fabric stores.
- Lewis Mountain Herbs & Everlastings offers tours of its herb gardens and greenhouses and craft classes by appointment. Visitors can spend the night in one of the guest rooms or stop by in October for the Old Thyme Herb Festival, which features over 120 crafters and musicians.
- Moyer's Vineyards and Restaurant offers fine dining, homemade and site blended wine and a scenic view of the Ohio River to its visitors.
Famous People
Jack Roush, owner of Roush Racing, hails from Adams County. His NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch teams feature some of the top race car drivers in the series.
Visitor Information
Convention & Visitors Bureaus:
Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau
110 North Manchester St.
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-5454
Toll Free: 1-877-ADAMSOH (232-6764)
Fax: (937) 544-6957
E-Mail: info@adamscountytravel.org
Airports
Salamon Airport, located in Adams County, can accommodate small commuter planes. The Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati International Airport is just an hour and 15 minutes away. Airports in Dayton and Columbus are also used by air travelers, being just two hours away.
Car rental
Car rental services are provided at the Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus airports.
Travel agents
Travel agents are located in nearby Maysville, Kentucky, and in Waverly, Portsmouth and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Motor Coach Tours
R & J Tours; 2224 Woodcrest Drive, Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694; 1-888-386-5614; e-mail lois@randjtours
Croswell; 975 West Main St.; Williamsburg, OH 45176; 1-800-782-8747; Fax (513) 724-3261; e-mail www.croswell-bus.com
Shawnee Trails Charters & Tours, 2529 Dogwood Ridge, Wheelersburg, OH 45694; (740) 574-4142
AAA, Portsmouth, OH; 1-800-887-1976
Health Services - Hospitals & Clinics
Adams County Regional Medical Center, 230 Medical Park, Seaman, OH 45679; (937) 386-3303
Lyric Medical Center, 28 E. Second St., Manchester, OH; (937) 549-2691
Southern Ohio Health Center, 218 Stern Dr., Seaman, OH ; (937)386-1379 | |
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