Welcome to PiquaOhioOnline.com, a great place to stay up to date with what is going on around Piqua, Ohio. You can get information about government services and check out some of the businesses and restaurants in the area. Be sure you check out the Community Events page so you can stay up to date with upcoming events in the community.
The City of Piqua is a great place to live. The residents and businesses of the city, as well as the city government, all work to make the City the best place to work, live, and relax.
Highlights of what make the City of Piqua a great place to work and live include education , health care, parks and recreation facilities, and the local library.
Piqua is a small community that was first laid out in 1807, but its history goes much further back in time. Piqua's history dates back to a previous settlement in 1747 called Fort Pickawillany located a mile northeast of the present city at the Great Miami River's intersection with Loramie Creek.
Piqua started out as two separate communities, Upper Piqua and Lower Piqua in 1780 becoming one community by 1800. Rossville (since incorporated into Piqua) was the first local African-American settlement after the Randolph slaves were freed following the passing of John Randolph in 1833. The Rossville neighborhood and Randolph cemetery are located on the northeast side of the river off North County Road 25-A.
Piqua was home to the first municipally-owned nuclear power plant, in operation from 1962 to 1966 earning its short lived nickname "The Atomic City." During this period a name brand automotive battery, the "Piqua Atomic Power Plant" was manufactured and marketed locally.
Piqua is believed to be a reference to the Shawnee Indian phrase: "Othath-He-Waugh-Pe-Qua" translated as "He has risen from the ashes!" The phrase is mentioned in a painting of a Native American rising up above the flames before a tribe of onlookers in a state of amazement. The painting is on display at the main office of Unity National Bank, the former Third Savings and Loan Association in downtown Piqua.
Nearby is the historic 200-acre park created from the farm of John Johnston. Johnston was a local farmer, public official, and United States Indian Agent for western Ohio from 1812 to 1829. Here Johnston's numerous contributions to the growth of early Ohio and settlement of frontier America are presented in a truly unique and beautiful setting.
The Piqua Heritage Festival is a celebration of pioneer life, this festival offers the chance to step back into the 1800s. Visit a Native American village, mountain men rendezvous or French and Indian encampments. See demonstrations of basket weaving, woodcarving, quilting, and soap, pottery and rag-rug making. more than 100 artisans showcase and trade their wares.
