Delphos sits at the crossroads of history: the meeting point of the Erie Canal, the Lincoln Historic Byway, and the Norfolk and Western Railroad.
Delphos has a Midwestern charm all its own, sitting astride the Lincoln Highway Historic Byway and with a renowned history as a shipping center and home to entrepreneurs. It also sits astride two counties; Allen County and Van Wert County. Though the name refers to the Greek god Delphos, the first settlers were Germans, eager to establish a shipping port along the Erie Canal. Indeed, though the canal is mostly out of use, it is a source of pride to the town, with Delphos holding an annual Canal Day festival, which celebrates the history of Delphos and the remaining bit of the Erie Canal, which was a crucial shipping conduit between Toledo and Cincinnati. Though Delphos was founded in the center of what's called "The Great Black Swamp," don't let that scare you away. The folks here are just as down home and filled with joy as can be! Delphos is filled with honest and hard working folks, and is proud of both the historic buildings in their downtown and also the famous author Zane Grey, a native son of Delphos.
Moving to Delphos
The average year that a house to rent in Delphos was built is 1954, so it makes sense to take great care in inspecting a home, apartment or condo when moving in. Make sure to write a checklist of all pre-existing blemishes and damages to the property, as your landlord might try to charge you for them later! Write down everything and document it with digital photos, if possible. Better safe than sorry!
You can also hire a licensed home inspector to examine the property for you. The home inspector will tell you everything you need to know about the property -- potential repairs coming down the road, ways to save on your utilities, weather proofing tips, and more. For home buyers, it is certainly an essential step in the process, but if you're a renter who wants to ensure minimal utility bills, it might not be a bad idea either! Most of the rentals homes in Delphos do not include utilities, so this will be of crucial importance if you want to keep your monthly costs down. It doesn't hurt to turn off the lights when you leave the room either!
Renting
The good news is that it's a renter's market in Delphos, with an average monthly rent being quite a good deal so, 26.8 percent of the homes are rented. Which means plenty of rental stock for those looking for a house to rent. If you'll be moving with your furball of a friend, be sure to keep an eye out for pet friendly apartments. For those looking for an apartment to rent in Delphos, you'll need to follow a few very important but very also very simple steps to ensure that you get just the place you are looking for.
First of all, you will want to procure a copy of your credit report, print it out, and bring it to your potential landlord for review. It will show that you've paid your bills and rent on time (which, ahem, of course you have, right?), something most landlords seem to care about quite a bit. Secondly, you'll want either some recent pay stubs or a copy of your tax return from last year. This will show that, yes, you have money coming to pay the rent. Also very important to landlords! And thirdly, you will want references from past landlords who can attest to your prompt and timely payment of rent. And, who knows, maybe they will discuss how much they miss you and wish you were still their tenant!
Neighborhoods of Delphos
In Delphos, the community is small enough that the city is itself a neighborhood, but there are different areas around town. Most of the action centers around Main Street (but of course!) and also the aforementioned Lincoln Highway, also known as road 190. On the north side of the Lincoln Highway you will find Delphos' High School, Jefferson High, and Stadium Park, a nice green space for picnics and recreation. And we all love recreation! On the south side of town, you'll find the St. John's School, a private religious school over a century old and with quite the academic reputation. Most of the housing, however, centers just north or south of the Lincoln Highway, within several blocks.
Living in Delphos
As befits a city founded by Germans, the majority of the population here is still of German heritage. You will find this reflected in the food, customs, and also the craftsmanship of the homes. Germans took pride in their building skills and it shows here in Delphos. Of particular interest are the historic buildings: the Marks-Family House and St. John's Church on the Allen County side of the city, and the Bredeick-Lang House on the Van Wert County side. They are stunning examples of exquisite architecture and superb craftsmanship. If the small town charm appeals to you, you will love these old world buildings, which are simply stunning for most visitors. In short, Delphos is a city that takes things slow and has a great sense of history and civic pride. And they have so much to be proud about! From its history as bustling port on the canal, to acting as a hub of the railroads, to its present reputation as "America's Friendliest City." Delphos has something to offer for everybody, except of course if you are a mean, unfriendly person! But heck, Delphos is so friendly they might just welcome you anyway and allow you to see the error of your ways! The Rotary Club just announced its "Music in the Park" summer series! Just check out the Delphos Herald or radio station WDOH 107.1 to check out everything that will be going on. There's always something happening, and it's always a blast!