Toledo is a city located on Lake Erie in the northwestern part of Ohio, United States. Toledo City is near the border between Michigan and Ohio. Toledo is the county seat of Lucas County. The city of Toledo is named "Glass city" because of its glass manufacturing history.
Toledo is part of a region where the Indian tribes and European settlers waged war against each other. Toledo was the name chosen for the joint settlement of Vistula and Port Lawrence. The two villages consolidated into one and were incorporated during 1837. The city of Toledo came to prominence as the home of several innovative enterprises in the glass business. Bottles, windows, glass art and windshields have all been made there. Major glass businesses, consisting of Libbey Glass, Owens-Illinois and Owens Corning, had their beginnings within Toledo. Glass businesses have been the main force behind the city's growth, together with the manufacture of automobile parts. Toledo spawned many large auto parts businesses, like for instance Questor, Electric AutoLite, Champion Spark Plug and Dana Corporation. The world-renowned Jeep vehicles have been built within Toledo City since 1941.
The best known attractions within the city of Toledo is perhaps the Toledo Museum of Art, which is the site of the Glass Pavilion. This remarkable structure houses many collections of priceless glass art. Amongst the biggest and most popular zoo's within the area is the Toledo Zoo, which is famous for its hippoquarium. The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) provides a hands-on science museum with both permanent and traveling exhibits for fun and education. Cultural offerings comprise the Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Opera. Toledo's century-old Valentine Theater is at the heart of the city's downtown rejuvenation project and is still in operation.
Toledo City boasts over 100 parks with plentiful chances for outdoor recreation. The Maumee River flows through Toledo and is a popular fishing place. Boating is a favorite activity on the river as well as on Lake Erie.
Manufacturing in Toledo has declined, but is still an important part of the local economy. General Motors and Chrysler still have facilities within the area and the Jeep is produced there. Faurecia Exhaust Systems is situated there. Today, the city's biggest employment business is the healthcare industry, that produces much more work compared to the manufacturing business. The University of Toledo is the single largest employer in the city of Toledo. Toledo has a burgeoning solar energy sector that has produced some new work.
Medical devices companies and technology firms play a vital role in the economy, together with the steel, plastic and metal trades. Agriculture is likewise a mainstay of the region. Toledo serves as the finance and banking center for Northwestern Ohio.
Glass industry jobs are still provided by Pilkington North America, Owens-Corning, Libbey Glass, Therma-Tru and various glass related companies. Johns Manville, a major fiberglass business, is situated within the area. Toledo is home to Fortune 500 companies Dana Corporation and Owens Corning. The Fortune 1000 company, HCR Manor Care, is headquartered within Toledo City.