The American flag is a common sight in cities across the United States, but it holds a special tie to Findlay, a small city on Interstate 75 halfway between Toledo and Lima. “Flag City USA” scored its title in 1974 after a combined effort among resident John B. Cooke, the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Rep. Tennyson Guyer. The flag is reflected in the city's branding, from its logo to the vintage-style lamp posts lining downtown. Findlay is also the longtime headquarters for Marathon Petroleum Corporation and a chosen manufacturing site for Whirlpool Corporation and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. The industry presence in the city ranges from corporate offices downtown to cultural amenities like the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.
Findlay is known as Flag City USA.
Marathon Petroleum is one of the largest employers in Findlay.
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From Main Street Victorians to new lots on the edge of town
Findlay’s median home price is $225,000, well below the national average. “There are lots of historic homes along Main Street, especially South Main,” says Doug Finney, longtime Findlay resident and Realtor at Key Realty. “Many of them are in no need of repairs. Findlay’s a gas town so there was a lot of money back in the days when they were built.” The city’s development history extends outward, following patterns of new suburban growth with contemporary subdivisions. “There’s a lot of new construction going on as well on the edge of town,” Finney says.
Gorgeous historic homes line Main Street in downtown Findlay.
New construction on the outskirts of Findlay has grown in the last few years.
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Getting around Findlay and beyond
Though the Blanchard River Greenway Bike Path traces along this principal waterway, Findlay is largely car-dependent, with gridded streets at the center and winding drives on the outskirts. I-75 cuts through the west side of the city, providing a straight shot to several major metropolitan areas like Toledo and Detroit to the north and Dayton to the south. “What you can't find in Findlay, you can find elsewhere within 2 hours,” Finney says. “Personally, I love the fact that I can shop for flight rates from multiple airports.” Blanchard Valley Hospital serves the city from the south side of town.
Dining and shopping in downtown Findlay or on Tiffin Avenue
Most of Findlay’s local restaurants and boutiques are concentrated on Main Street and off-shooting roads downtown. More fast food options and chain eateries are along I-75 to the west and Tiffin Avenue to the northeast. The latter is also a hub for big-box stores and retailers such as Walmart, Meijer and Lowe's. Great Scot and Kroger also have multiple Findlay locations.
Dietsch Brothers is an iconic ice cream parlor and chocolate shop that has been a staple in Findlay since 1937.
The Bistro serves upscale food and cocktails for the residents of Findlay.
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Indoor and outdoor attractions in Findlay
The Hancock Parks District manages recreation spaces throughout Findlay for all four seasons. “Our main park, Riverside Park, has a beautiful amphitheater with live music,” Finney says. “There’s also a swimming pool and the Blanchard River runs by there. Riverbend Park is the more rural area with wonderful scenery and a pavilion.” Flag City BalloonFest takes off from Emory Adams Park and fills the sky with hot air balloons each August, while the Hancock County Fair brings the fairgrounds to life on the city’s east side.
Riverside Park in Findlay has many amenities including an outdoor pool for locals in the summer.
The Hancock Country Fairgrounds houses the Hancock County Fair every summer in Findlay.
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A low-lying city combating flood risk
The Blanchard River has a long history of flooding during heavy rain or snowmelt, with Eagle Creek and Lye Creek following close behind. “The city is working on reducing that risk," Finney says. "We’re about 3 years out from mitigation that's going to take a lot of homes out of the flood zone. They’re building a retention pond for overflow and have done many benching projects.” FEMA is also supporting the efforts with a recent $24 million grant. In the meantime, the city also offers self-fill sandbags and live online updates about road closures.
Eagle Creek has beautiful views of the nature in Findlay.
Blanchard River is nestled on the edge of Riverside Park in Findlay.
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Findlay’s school system and college campuses
Most students are zoned for the Findlay City School District, which scores an overall B grade from Niche. The district charges annual instructional fees to enrolled students for classroom material costs other than textbooks. Findlay High School students take dual enrollment classes through the city's Owens Community College campus. The University of Findlay—a private, liberal arts college—is home to the Mazza Museum, one of the world’s largest collections of children's picture book illustrations.
Findlay Senior High School houses grades 9-12 in Findlay.
The Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay houses a collection of artwork created by children's illustrators.
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Crime rates and reporting methods in Findlay
FBI data show a consistent downward trend in violent crime and property crime over the past decade, with a nearly 50% decrease between 2015 and 2023. Reported cases appear in real-time on the department’s online Citizen Connect map, where users can filter by date, time of day and type of crime. In 2023, downtown Findlay and the city’s northwest side had the highest concentrations of reported cases.
John's Business Philosophy: He Has Been a Full Time Realtor Since 1998. He Listens: It is his practice to not only hear his clients but listen to what they are saying. For buyers and sellers alike, he needs to know your wants, needs and motives. He Has The Knowledge: He has at his disposal all of the resources necessary to assist you in the entire process of selling or purchasing real estate. The tools available to him through Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer and his years of experience have made him knowledgeable in all facets of the real estate industry and home construction. His long-standing relationships with people affiliated to the real estate industry and services available through Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer allows him to provide sources for financing, title and escrow services and even insurance. He Counsels: Again, this is an area where his resources and market knowledge come into play. Recent comparables, information about specific markets and current market trends have an impact on what a buyer should pay for a property and what a seller should expect to receive for a property. His goal is to help sellers receive the largest return on their sale in a reasonable amount of time and to help a buyer purchase the home they want at a reasonable price. He Is Compassionate: The process for buying and selling real estate can be a very emotional and stressful process. It is, in most cases, the largest financial undertaking in one's lifetime. As a Realtor it is his responsibility to be patient and help buyers and sellers through the emotional ups and downs. This process is important and should not be rushed or taken lightly. He Has Integrity: Honesty needs to be the backbone of any relationship of this magnitude. He will always act in the best interest of his client. It is always his intention for everyone involved in every transaction to have a smile on their faces at the end of the day.
His Affiliations: Member National Association of Realtors Member Ohio Association of Realtors Member Medina County Board of Realtors Member Northeast Ohio Multiple Listing Service
His Accreditations: Residential Relocation Specialist Certified Negotiation
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
