Toledo is a city located on Lake Erie in the northwestern part of Ohio, United States. Toledo City is near the border between Ohio and Michigan. Toledo City is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo City is called "Glass city" due to its history of glass manufacturing.
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 in 1837. Toledo came to prominence as the home of various innovative enterprises within the glass trade. Windows, bottles, windshields, and glass art have all been made there. Major glass businesses, consisting of Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning and Libbey Glass, had their beginnings within Toledo. Glass companies have been the major force behind the city's growth, along with the manufacture of automobile parts. The city of Toledo spawned lots of large auto parts companies, such as Questor, Electric AutoLite, Dana Corporation and Champion Spark Plug. The world-renowned Jeep vehicles have been built in the city of Toledo since 1941.
Perhaps the city's best known attraction is the Toledo Museum of Art, the site of the Glass Pavilion, an amazing structure housing a priceless collection of glass art. The popular Toledo Zoo is one of the largest in the nation, famous for being the site of a 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 Symphony, Toledo Opera and Toledo Ballet. Toledo's century-old Valentine Theater is still in operation and is at the heart of the city's downtown rejuvenation project.
Toledo City boasts more than 100 parks that give a lot of possibilities for outdoor activities. A popular fishing place within Toledo is the Maumee River, that flows through Toledo. Boating is a favorite activity on lake Erie and on the river.
Manufacturing in the city of 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. These days, Toledo City's biggest employment business is the healthcare industry, which generates much more jobs as opposed to the manufacturing business. The University of Toledo is the single biggest employer in Toledo City. Toledo has a burgeoning solar energy sector that has generated some new jobs.
The trades that play a major role in the economy include businesses operating in technology, medical, metals, plastic and steel fields. The city of Toledo serves as the banking and finance center for Northwestern Ohio.
Glass industry jobs are still provided by Owens-Corning, Pilkington North America, Therma-Tru, Libbey Glass and various glass related companies. Johns Manville, a major fiberglass company, is situated in the area. Toledo City is home to Fortune 500 companies Owens Corning and Dana Corporation. HCR Manor Care, the Fortune 1000 company, is headquartered in Toledo.