Maumee, Ohio

Maumee, Ohio

Maumee (/mɔːˈmiː/ maw-MEE) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States. Located along the Maumee River, it is a suburb approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Toledo, Ohio. The population was 13,896 at the 2020 census. Maumee was declared an All-America City by the National Civic League in June 2006.

History

The area now known as Maumee has a rich history dating back to pre-colonial times. Native Americans, notably the Ottawa, were the first to utilize the abundant resources of the Maumee River valley. Throughout much of the 18th century, French, British, and American forces vied for control of the lower Maumee River, recognizing its importance as a major transportation artery linking East and West through Lake Erie.

Following the American Revolutionary War, the region became part of the Northwest Territory. The Northwest Indian War (1785-1795) culminated in the decisive American victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, which took place near present-day Maumee. General "Mad" Anthony Wayne built his final fort, Fort Deposit, in Maumee in August 1794 on his way to this battle.

The conclusion of the War of 1812 further secured American control of the area, paving the way for westward expansion. In 1817, a town plat was laid out at the Foot of the Rapids of the Maumee River. Within a decade, the settlement gained recognition as a major trans-shipment point connecting Lake Erie and the western territories.

The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1840 significantly boosted Maumee's economy. By mid-century, Maumee had become a flourishing center of river trade, commerce, and shipbuilding, with nearly twenty mercantile companies occupying the three miles of ship docks.

In 1840, Maumee was designated as the county seat, further elevating its status. However, the city's dreams of becoming the "great city of the West" began to fade in the 1850s due to two factors:

1. The introduction of ships too large to navigate the river
2. The advent of railroads, which provided faster and cheaper transportation than river traffic

Maumee lost its status as county seat in 1854. However, a century later, in the 1970s, the city experienced an economic renaissance. Today, Maumee is one of the largest business centers in Northwest Ohio, with Arrowhead Business Park and the historic business community contributing to over 30,000 jobs in the area.

Geography

Maumee is located at 41°34′25″N 83°38′45″W. The city has a roughly triangular shape, bordered by:

• Interstate 80/90 to the north
• Interstate 475/U.S. Route 23 to the west
• The Maumee River to the southeast

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.61 square miles (27.48 km²), of which 9.89 square miles (25.61 km²) is land and 0.72 square miles (1.86 km²) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 13,896 people residing in Maumee.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 14,286 people, 6,037 households, and 3,854 families living in the city. The population density was 1,444.5 inhabitants per square mile (557.7/km²). There were 6,435 housing units at an average density of 650.7 per square mile (251.2/km²).

The racial makeup of the city was:

• 94.7% White
• 1.8% African American
• 0.2% Native American
• 0.9% Asian
• 0.7% from other races
• 1.7% from two or more races
• 3.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 15,237 people, 6,340 households, and 4,209 families living in the city. The median income for a household was $47,768, and the median income for a family was $60,776.

Economy

According to the city's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in Maumee were:

No.	Employer	No. of employees
1	United Parcel Service	3,382
2	St. Luke's Hospital	1,597
3	Dana Incorporated	1,232
4	The Andersons	744
5	Maumee City School District	624
6	Paramount Care Inc.	586
7	Matrix Technologies Inc.	251
8	Therma Tru Corp.	211
9	Spartan Chemical Co.	208
10	ProMedica Health System	197

Note: St. Luke's Hospital closed in May 2023.

Education

Maumee's public education system is run by the Maumee City School District, which is the oldest chartered district in the state of Ohio. The district received an "Effective" rating from the state for the 2008–09 school year. The school system is organized as follows:

• Elementary (K-3): Fairfield and Fort Miami Elementaries
• Maumee Intermediate School (grades 4-5)
• Maumee Middle School (grades 6-8)
• Maumee High School (grades 9-12)

Several private schools also serve the Maumee area, including:

• Maumee Valley Country Day School (South Toledo)
• St. John's Jesuit High School (South Toledo)
• Toledo Christian Schools (South Toledo)
• St. Joseph Catholic School & Preparatory (Maumee)
• St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School (South Toledo)

Maumee is also served by a branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

Notable people

• James W. Forsyth - U.S. Army general
• Richard Kazmaier - 1951 Heisman Trophy winner
• Robert Knepper - Actor, known for his role as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell in Prison Break
• Henry Ware Lawton - U.S. Army officer who served in the Civil War, Apache Wars, and Spanish–American War
• Dane Sanzenbacher - Former NFL wide receiver
• Harold Anderson - Founder of The Andersons

External links

• Official Website
• Maumee, Ohio information from Toledo.com
• Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor