Van Wert County

Van Wert County is an administrative county in northwestern Ohio with gently rolling farmland and agricultural character throughout. The region contains several small towns and communities, with the city of Van Wert serving as the largest settlement and county seat.

This county was established in 1820 and named after Isaac Van Wart, an American patriot from the Revolutionary era. Its creation reflected the westward expansion of the young United States during the early 19th century.

The Brumback Library in the county seat of Van Wert was founded in 1901 and became the first public library system organized at the county level in the nation. Visitors can explore its historical collections and local archives that document the region's story.

The city of Van Wert serves as the administrative center where most county offices and public services are located. A car is helpful for exploring the area, as communities are spread out and public transportation options are limited.

The county borders a different Allen County to the east in Ohio and another Allen County to the west in Indiana. This creates an unusual geographic arrangement where the same county name appears on both sides of its boundaries.

Location: Ohio

Inception: February 12, 1820

Capital city: Van Wert

Shares border with: Allen County, Mercer County, Paulding County, Putnam County, Auglaize County, Adams County, Allen County

Website: http://vanwertcounty.org

GPS coordinates: 40.86000,-84.59000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22