Each month, we feature on our a different Ohio City as part of our #GOPCThread Series, #OHCommunitySpotlight. This month, we visit Steubenville in Jefferson County, an early settlement predating Ohio statehood and an important link in Ohio’s aging steel valley.
This month, GOPC’s #OHCommunitySpotlight features Steubenville! Steubenville rests along the Ohio River, bordering West Virginia on the east side of the state
Steubenville is the county seat of Jefferson County, w/ a population around 18,000 in the 2020 Census. It's named for Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian military officer who was Inspector General of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War
Steubenville is nicknamed the “City of Murals” because of the more than 25 murals throughout its downtown
River Reflection by Susan and David Fry Image courtesy of Visit Steubenville
One mural is of Dean Martin, one of the most recognizable names in 20th Century for his music, acting, and comedy. Martin was born and raised in Steubenville, and later married and had children in the Cleveland area before making his way around the world.
Dean Martin by Robert Demer Image courtesy of Visit Steubenville
Steubenville still celebrates its favorite son today. Each summer, the Dean Martin Festival, founded by the entertainer’s daughter and son-in-law, is celebrated in the city.
Other notables from Steubenville include Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War during the American Civil War, Rollie Fingers, an MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher, and sports commentator Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder
In its early years, Steubenville was a port town along the river while the rest of the county was primarily farms. In the mid-1800s, the steel and coal industry entered the city. Steubenville was along the rail line from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, with Chicago in-between.
Up until the 1980s, Steubenville and its sister city in West Virginia, Weirton, remained strong steel towns. Due to changing economies, the local steel mills have shrunk their workforce.
Education has played a role in the city’s development. The Steubenville Female Seminary, an early private school for women, operated from 1829-98.
The College of Steubenville (today Franciscan University of Steubenville) was founded in 1946, & in 1966, Eastern Gateway Community College was founded.
Like many of Ohio’s cities, local residents have taken a concerted effort to reinvigorate their towns through activity & excitement. In 2014, The Harmonium Project was established, dedicated to revitalization & community-building through arts & culture.
The Harmonium Project established “First Fridays” in downtown Steubenville. These events hope to attract college students to downtown, while promoting businesses and encouraging residents to gather together.
Taking place on Steubenville’s 4th Street in downtown, new businesses have opened and the streets are filled with patrons of the First Fridays throughout the year.
In 2015, two local businesses joined together to establish the Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market. This Christmas-themed festival includes more than 150 life-size nutcracker sculptures spread throughout downtown Steubenville.
The nutcracker sculptures fill the downtown from late November - early January, providing residents & visitors with an opportunities to shop, dine, & visit downtown while admiring the sculptures
Steubenville Nutcracker Village Image via Steubenville Nutcracker Village
Throughout December, Advent Markets provide opportunities to shop and dine along Steubenville’s 4th Street.
More than 40,000 visitors attend the Nutcracker Village and Advent Markets. Along with the work by the Harmonium Project, Steubenville’s downtown has seen a revival and increased activity in the past decade.
This holiday season, stop by and enjoy all that Steubenville has to offer! GOPC looks forward to the city’s continued revitalization!
Cover Image: Steubenville Skyline by PokéTube via Wikicommons