Coventry Manor Bed & Breakfast
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Welcome to Pomeroy, Ohio                           Meigs County Map

Pomeroy A Historic Riverboat Town

Pomeroy is a village located in Meigs County, Ohio, along the Ohio River. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 1,966. It is the county seat of Meigs County.
Located on a narrow strip of land between the Ohio River and a bluff of high stone cliffs, the picturesque village of Pomeroy, was settled by New Englanders mostly of English, Welsh and German origin. The Germans were attracted to Pomeroy because of the similarity to their homeland along the Rhine River. They established coal mines, salt works, foundries, breweries and a pipe organ factory, adding much to the development of the town and county. A great portion of the building architecture of Pomeroy has remained unchanged since the late 1800's. An example of this is the Meigs County Jail. The jail, which has the unusual feature of having a turret with curved windows, was built in 1895 and is still in use today. Pomeroy recently underwent a $1 million downtown revitalization program to renovate the Italianate storefront facades and help restore its turn of the century atmosphere. Included in this renovation was a promenade along the river, complete with gazebos, benches, period gas lighting, and an amphitheater.  A three mile walking path with period lighting along the river was completed in 2004.

Historical Tidbits

According to George Washington's diary on October 28, 1770, he surveyed land now known as Meigs County. He camped near Long Bottom, and while there paid respects to his friend and former guide Chief Kiashuta, and his Indian hunting party. The two leaders and their men camped overnight together. A commemorative marker erected in 1932 designates the area. 

In 1816, salt production was started, but did not become a leading industry until the 1860's. During the salt era, furnaces operated on both sides of the river. The Excelsior Salt Works formed in 1860, had heavy activity from that time until after WW1.

Coal is mined and shipped on a commercial scale in 1830 when Samuel Wyllis Pomeroy and his son-in-law, Valentine B. Horton arrive on the scene.

In 1841, Pomeroy is incorporated and named for Samuel Wyllis Pomeroy.

Civil War ravishes the nation. Meigs County is on the borderline between the North and South. Ohio is free, while Virginia (soon to be WV) is a slave state. On July 19, 1863, the Battle of Buffington Island takes place in Portland. Morgan's Raiders are defeated by Meigs County militia, and Union forces led by Brigadier General Henry M. Judah, and Edward H. Hobson. At least two former U.S. Presidents participated in this battle, if not possibly three. They were Rutherford Hayes, William McKinley, and possibly James Garfield, interestingly enough all born in Ohio. Meigs County was also part of the Underground Railroad, that transported slaves to freedom. There is a farmhouse in Syracuse, that still stands that is rumored to have hidden passages within its walls, that were used to hide runaway slaves.

 

POMEROY DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,966 people, 835 households, and 516 families residing in the village. The population density is 234.3/km2 (607.5/mi2). There are 1,041 housing units at an average density of 124.1/km2 (321.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the village is 94.91% White, 2.14% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. 0.25% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.


MEIGS COUNTY FAMOUS FOLKS
Mike Bartrum, Philadelphia Eagles
James Campbell, African American Author
Dave Diles, ABC Sports Announcer
Edward Bennett, Corporal, US Army
Brewster Higley, Composer of "Home on the Range"
Kid Elberfeld, Benny Kauff, Cy Morgan,
Lefty  Dilinger, Thomas Williams, Bill Wilson, Rollie  Hemsley, Thomas  Thomas, Mother Watson, Pro  Baseball Players
Ambrose Bierce, Famous war hero, cartoonist, journalist, editor, lobbyist
Valentine Horton, Pioneer Industrialist, built first towboat
Dwight Mutchler, Artist
Jimmy Steward, Staff Sergeant
Nelson Story, Inductee, Nat'l Cowboy Hall of Fame
James Hartinger, Four Star General, US Air Force

OTHER NOTABLE COUNTY EVENTS
George Washington Slept Here
Civil War Monument
New Highways
Buffington Island Civil War Battle-Morgan's Raid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar of Events - 2007

MARCH

17        Horse Show, Portland

17          ST. PATRICK’S DAY

17          Mary Gauthier & Hot Tuna, Fur Peach, Pomeroy

18          St. Patrick’s Day Concert, Middleport

30          Chester Courthouse Benefit, Pomeroy

 

APRIL

1            Tony Rice/Pete Huttlinger, Fur Peace, Pomeroy

7        Easter Egg Hunt, Portland

8        EASTER SUNDAY

13          Ohio University Jazz, Middleport

14        Chris Hillman/Herb Pedersen/Sally Van Meter, Fur Peace, Pomeroy

14 & 15  River City Kids

21          Hot Tuna, Fur Peace, Pomeroy

28          RACO Flower Festival, Racine

 

MAY

5        Children’s May Day, Chester

13          MOTHER’S DAY

19        Bob Margolin Blues Jam, Fur Peace, Pomeroy

28          MEMORIAL DAY

28          Memorial Day Event/Horse Show, Portland

ATTRACTIONS
                          First Class Antique Stores
800-994-3276     Bob Evans Farms
740-594-9944     Bicycle Tours (Athens)
740-992-5005     Chamber of Commerce
740-785-9822     Chautauqua
740-992-2239     Chester Courthouse Museum
740-992-6228     Fur Peace Station Guitar Camp
740-992-5005     Gold Wings & Ribs Festival
                          Pomeroy Historical Walking Tour
                          Horseback Riding
                          Hunting Excursions (Guided)
                          Jenkins Plantation Museum
                          Local Theatre
740-992-2239     Meigs County Fair
740-992-3810     Meigs County Historical Society & Museum
740-992-2239     Morgan's Raid
740-992-5005     Murder Mystery Dinner
                          Ohio River Boating
800-261-3031     Riverside Golf Club
                          Ohio State Forests
740-593-1000     Ohio University - Athens
304-674-0144     Point Pleasant River Museum
                          Pomeroy Courthouse
877-992-1072     Quail and Pigeon Shoot
740-949-2656     RACO Flower Festival
740-992-6524     Rhythm on the River
877-634-4726     Stern Wheel River fest

All these adventures and more are waiting for you, just minutes from Coventry Manor.

Bike and walk along the Ohio River or enjoy many water sports from its boat ramp.

BOAT DOCKS
740-992-5600   McDonald's
740-992-0099   Wild Horse Cafe

GIFT SHOPS
740-416-4650     Alligator Jack's Flea Market
740-992-2284     Fabric Shop
740-992-7696     Hartwell House
740-992-4055     Ohio River Bear Company
740-992-1702     Weaving Stitches

RESTAURANTS:
304-773-6112     Bob Evans                                                    

740-992-6524     Court Street Grill            
740-992-5432     KFC                                
740-992-6292     McClure's                       
740-992-5600     McDonald's                    
740-992-7713     Millie's Restaurant                                                             
740-992-7000     Pizza Hut                                                              

740-992-6426     Subway

740-992-0013     Wendy's

740-992-0099     Wild Horse Café                              

 

 

Morgan’s Raid

Ohio River

Hunting

38 Special

Bike Week

Historic Tour

Boating

Clara Fay

Stern Wheel Fest

Downtown

Meigs County      Fair