Nelsonville, Ohio · Est. 1814
From Civil War raids to World's Fair prizes, from coal boom to cultural renaissance — Nelsonville carries 200 years of American history in its star-brick streets.
From Appalachian coal country to a thriving arts community — this is a town that endures.
Four U.S. Presidents campaigned from the Dew House balcony. Confederate raiders passed through in 1863. Nelsonville has witnessed American history firsthand.
Explore the Timeline →Nelsonville's purple-brown clay bricks — stamped with their iconic star — won first prize at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. They pave streets across America to this day.
See the Story →Stuart's Opera House — Ohio's last operating 2nd-story opera house — hosts 75+ events a year and produces the acclaimed Nelsonville Music Festival every June.
Plan a Visit →A prosperous settler from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts purchases land along the Hocking River and lays out the town that will bear his name.
Nelsonville officially incorporates with Charles Cable as its first mayor. The growing settlement is becoming a regional hub.
Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's cavalry sweeps through town — the northernmost Confederate military action of the entire Civil War. Citizens save the covered bridge by extinguishing fires after the raiders leave.
The Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad arrives, igniting decades of coal prosperity. At peak, Nelsonville ships more coal than any other city in the country — earning the nickname "Little City of Black Diamonds."
The Nelsonville Brick Company is founded. Its distinctive star-patterned clay bricks — salt-glazed and nearly indestructible — will soon appear on streets across America.
Former showboat owner George Stuart constructs the cultural centerpiece of coal-era Nelsonville. Vaudeville, boxing, community events, and graduations will fill its stage for decades.
Nelsonville becomes the first city west of the Alleghenies with citywide electric street lights, powered by an AC generator built by E.M. Poston.
Nelsonville bricks win first prize at the St. Louis World's Fair, cementing their reputation as America's finest paving brick.
Brothers William and F.M. Brooks start a boot company in a rent-free factory during the Great Depression. Rocky will go on to supply over one million pairs for WWII and the Korean War.
Stuart's Opera House produces 75+ events yearly. The Nelsonville Music Festival draws national acts. Rocky Boots is publicly traded. The star bricks still line the Public Square.
July 22, 1863
Morgan's Raiders cross the Hocking River
Confederate General John Hunt Morgan led 2,460 cavalry on a daring 1,000-mile raid through Indiana and Ohio — the northernmost Confederate military action of the entire Civil War.
By July 22nd, Morgan's forces had been whittled to 400 exhausted men. They crossed the Hocking River to find Nelsonville nearly abandoned — the militia had rushed to defend Athens. The mayor surrendered immediately.
Raiders burned ten canal boats and attempted to torch the covered bridge. After they rode off, citizens rushed to extinguish the flames — saving the bridge, and allowing Union cavalry to continue their pursuit. The townspeople had prepared a feast for the Union troops. Morgan was captured days later at Salineville.
Read the Full StoryFrom a century-old steam locomotive to an Appalachian music festival — there's more here than you'd expect.
Small-town roots, remarkable lives.
Born right here in Nelsonville on March 25, 1965, Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the most recognized and celebrated actresses in the world. One of eight children raised in modest circumstances — sometimes without electricity, sometimes without Christmas — she began performing as a child and never stopped.
Her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City made her a global icon and earned her Emmy and Golden Globe awards. She has never hidden her Nelsonville roots — returning in 2004 to receive the key to the city.
She and her husband, Broadway and film legend Matthew Broderick — best known for Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Producers — are one of entertainment's most enduring couples. Between them, they represent decades of acclaimed work on stage and screen. Nelsonville gave the world one of its brightest stars.
Founded Rocky Boots during the Great Depression in a rent-free Nelsonville factory with borrowed equipment. They went on to supply over a million pairs of boots to U.S. forces in WWII and the Korean War. The company they built still calls Nelsonville home.
"Called 'one of the best-kept secrets of the U.S. music festival circuit' — Nelsonville keeps surprising those who find it."
Connecting residents and visitors to what matters most.
Serving Nelsonville and surrounding communities — providing essential nutrition support to neighbors in need.
A public community college offering hands-on technical programs — rooted in Appalachian Ohio for over 50 years.
A nonprofit cultural anchor — 75+ events a year, the Nelsonville Music Festival, and arts programming for all ages.
Nelsonville is 60 miles southeast of Columbus on US-33, minutes from Hocking Hills State Park and Wayne National Forest.
Whether you're tracing history, chasing nature, or catching a show — Nelsonville rewards the curious traveler.