Learn About Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin Overview

Oberlin is a city located in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1833 by two Presbyterian ministers, John Jay Shipherd and Philo Stewart.
Oberlin was the first American higher education institution to regularly admit female and black students. It also played a significant role in the abolitionist movement, serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Today, Oberlin is known for its liberal arts college, Oberlin College, which continues to uphold its commitment to social justice and equality.

Oberlin is home to the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, founded in 1865.
The city has a rich history of activism and social justice, with many residents actively involved in local and national causes.
Oberlin was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 for its role in education and the abolitionist movement.

Charles Martin Hall, the inventor of the process for producing aluminum, was born in Oberlin in 1863.
Mary Jane Patterson, the first African American woman to receive a college degree in the United States, graduated from Oberlin College in 1862.
Langston Hughes, the famous poet and writer, attended Oberlin College in the 1920s.

As of the 2020 census, Oberlin had a population of approximately 8,300 residents.
The city has a diverse population, with a mix of students, faculty, and local residents.

Oberlin is located in northeastern Ohio, approximately 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.
The city is situated on the banks of the Vermilion River and is surrounded by farmland and forests.

Oberlin's economy is driven by the presence of Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, which provides jobs and attracts students and visitors to the area.
The city also has a small downtown area with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions that contribute to the local economy.

Oberlin has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with regular performances, exhibits, and events hosted by Oberlin College and local organizations.
The city is known for its progressive values and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Weltzheimer/Johnson House, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright
The Apollo Theatre, a historic movie theater built in 1913
The First Church in Oberlin, a beautiful Gothic Revival church built in 1842
The Gasholder House, a unique octagonal building that once housed a gas storage tank