Located at the "top of Ohio" in Williams County on the state’s borders, Bryan is the County seat. The Ohio Turnpike is just 10 miles to the north and US Route 6 just one mile to the south. A pleasant atmosphere of rural verdancy and commercial progress characterizes the city, chosen as the 30th Best Small Town in America.

Bryan’s 1890 Courthouse, built in the gothic style, is the hub of the city. Resembling a fairytale castle, it dominates the city’s central mercantile area. Storefronts on each side of the courthouse square are designed to enhance the Victorian ambiance of the downtown buildings. Thanks to zoning legislation and a strong development corporation of citizen volunteers, the area replicates its own roots. With donation from Bryan’s businesses and with time given by dedicated residents, the downtown area is a fantasia of lights for Christmas.

Still, there’s more to Bryan than its downtown.

A devoted group has promoted the older homes and designated an entire area as an historical residential district. Citizens of the northwest section have banded together to preserve their district of solid older homes. At the southeast, a nostalgic neighborhood of well-kept residences exists, which then blends to more recently platted streets and homes. To the southwest and northwest, premier subdivisions of new homes cluster bridging the transition of fine old neighborhoods to the luxurious new.

Peppered throughout the city are 14 public parks. Bryan is abundant with over 27 churches. Elementary schools exist in the southeast and the southwest quarters. Central School is located one block west of the downtown and houses the 4th graders of Bryan. The High School is located just beyond a downtown spur. Our middle school, built in 1992, completes the southwestern border of the city with a football field, all-weather track, and a brand new state-of-the-art fieldhouse.

Bryan is also the home to the Williams County YWCA. An all purpose facility with two court gymnasium, indoor pool, weight training facilities and an all purpose track. The YWCA is also home to a full service day-care facility.

Much of Bryan’s renovations and its new activity structures are due to donations from business and industry, and support from the citizenry with their time and effort.

With all that Bryan has to offer, you also will find a spirit of civic-mindedness and duty, that seems to be fundamental to the people of Bryan. But all is accomplished with a sense of fun, too.