Next time you're watching NFL football, pay special attention to the actual football. There's a nearly 100 percent chance an Ada resident made it by hand. That's because Wilson's football manufacturing facility is in Ada, Ohio, and it's the only leather football manufacturing facility in the country.
Founded in 1853, this city, well technically it's a village, is just shy of 6,000 residents
Next time you're watching NFL football, pay special attention to the actual football. There's a nearly 100 percent chance an Ada resident made it by hand. That's because Wilson's football manufacturing facility is in Ada, Ohio, and it's the only leather football manufacturing facility in the country.
Founded in 1853, this city, well technically it's a village, is just shy of 6,000 residents. A portion of that population is from the local college, Ohio Northern. Ada, named after the first postmaster's daughter, sits almost directly between Toledo and Dayton just off of interstate 75. Just north of Ada, the Historic Lincoln Highway passes by, part of route 30 that runs all the way from Astoria, Oregon to Atlantic City, New Jersey. What Ada lacks in variety, it definitely makes up for in character. Trendy local dive bars and clean parks make up the fabric of this small town.
Assuming you don't want to live in the dorms with the roughly 3,500 college students who currently attend Ohio Northern, you have some other options. Even though it's sort of a college town, many families, singles and professionals call it home too. Well, not really that many considering the total population, but that small number is still diverse.
Watch Your Step
When you're hunting for places to rent in Ada, make sure you ask if the apartment homes are more geared toward students or for the general population. If the apartment is located close to campus, you could get a big mix. Of course, many of the students are studying toward their business or law degree, so it's not like totally party central.
Call Ahead
The majority of apartment complexes or buildings don't have their own websites or comprehensive listings online. Don't fret though. When you start your apartment search, just write down the numbers and pull out your phone--you know, that thing you use to check Facebook and Twitter. An apartment manager will be sure to answer and set up an appointment to see apartment homes available in the area.
Consider the Seasons
With all the college students and professors in the area, it's not a bad idea to consider starting your search in the summer when many are home celebrating surviving another school year. There are usually more options to sublease as well during this time. Most leases go year round, but many students and professors only stick around during the school year.
Since Ada is only two square miles, there aren't exactly neighborhoods. But don't worry, there are still places to find apartments all over town. And if you enjoy walking, you're in luck, because the small area of the town makes it easy to walk just about anywhere you need to go. Grocery store. Yep. Pizza shop. Yep. Ada Bulldogs football game on a Friday night. Yep, you can walk there too. Most people would probably walk to work if it weren't for the fact that 20 percent of Ada residents are telecommuters.
During the strolls, many residents enjoy breathing in the fresh air compliments of the trees in the community. Ada is in fact part of Tree City USA created by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree City USA recognizes communities that maintain a tree board, celebrate Arbor Day annually, have a community tree ordinance and spend a certain amount per capita on urban forestry.
Ada could never be mistaken for a big city, but that's something Ada residents are proud of. Surrounded by mostly farm land and some plots of forests, you're truly in the heart of it all. For such a small town, however, there's plenty to do. Many residents like to head to the Reagle Beagle to watch their favorite NFL team, usually either the Bengals or the Browns. Chances aren't bad the person sitting next to you even made the ball, which, come on, that's pretty cool. On the weekends, people enjoy one of the locally owned restaurants. For Italian and more, you have to head to Padrone's or pick up some pizza or fried pickles at 3 Brother's Pizza. On a nice day residents also like to head to War Memorial Park. Dedicated to all of the veterans of the armed forces, the park is filled with soccer fields, shelter houses, and the Ada High School Bulldogs football field and track.
