About

Preble County is the perfect place to set a new pace — one that’s serene, peaceful and fun. Known for an abundant agricultural community, covered bridges, cruise-worthy highways and byways and our “world-famous” festivals, this slice of Ohio merits slowing down and making memories.

WELCOME!

The Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to extend to you an invitation to visit our beautiful Preble County.

Located in southwest Ohio along Interstate 70 with easy access to Columbus, Dayton, CIncinnati, and Indianapolis, you’ll enjoy a rural atmosphere while never being far away.

Preble county is home to eight charming preserved historic covered bridges nestled along our picturesque prairies, rolling hills, and wetlands of our agriculturally rich heritage.

Take in a scenic sunrise while fishing, hunting, or camping at one of the local parks. But be sure not to miss the famous Preble County Pork Festival, Camden’s Black Walnut Festival, Lewisburg’s Derby Days, New Paris’ Apple Fest, West Alexandria’s Oktoberfest, Bullen Equestrian Center’s major equestrian and quarter horse events, the U.S. 127 or National Road Yard Sales–or one of the dozens of other events. There is something for the whole family to enjoy here in Preble County!

A special thanks to the Preble County Commissioners, Rachael Vonderhaar, Adam Craft, and David Harber for their support. Thanks also to The Register-Herald for producing the Preble County Visitor’s Guide booklet!

We hope you visit often so you can experience everything Preble County has to offer.

– Christopher Reke
President, Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCCVB)

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY

(Information from https://www.prebco.org/ )

Preble County was settled in 1798 by John Leslie and was established as a county in March of 1808, five years after Ohio was admitted to the Union in March of 1803, as the seventeenth state of the United States of America. The county was named for Commodore Edward Preble who served as the Commander of the American Naval Fleet in the Mediterranean during the Tripolitan War, as well as in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Preble County has only one city, Eaton (the county seat), which was named for William Eaton, the U.S. Consul at Tunis during the Tripolitan War. This war influenced not only the naming of the county and its only city, but the names of many streets and communities throughout the county as well.

In addition to the city of Eaton, there are several villages located in the county: Camden, College Corner, Eldorado, Gratis, Lewisburg, New Paris, Verona, West Alexandria, West Elkton, and West Manchester, and there are a dozen townships: Dixon, Gasper, Gratis, Harrison, Israel, Jackson, Jefferson, Lanier, Monroe, Somers, Twin and Washington. These communities are connected to each other and to the outside world by a network of roadways including 1-70, U.S. 127, U.S. 35, U.S. 40, and ten state routes.

There are 18 public schools in the county’s five school districts, which provide primary and secondary education to close to 8000 school-aged children. Several colleges and universities located nearby provide higher education, including Miami University, Wright State University, Earlham College, University of Dayton, and Sinclair Community College.

Nearly three quarters of Preble County is farmland and it consistently ranks in the top ten in hog and corn production for the state of Ohio. Most of the county’s communities remain small and the atmosphere is pleasantly rural. Annual festivals and events draw visitors and participants from all over the county and beyond. A few of the celebrations of the rural lifestyle found here include the Black Walnut Festival held in Camden, the Preble County Pork Festival  the Preble County Fair in Eaton, Derby Days Celebration in Lewisburg, West Alexandria’s Oktoberfest, the Chicken Barbecues held twice a year in West Manchester and the Apple Fest in New Paris.

One of Ohio’s finest state parks is located in Preble County. Hueston Woods State Park is located on Acton Lake, just off State Route 732 in College Corner in the southwest corner of the county. Offering everything from rustic camping and hiking trails to a beautiful modern resort complete with an 18-hole championship golf course and indoor and outdoor pools, Hueston Woods is only an hour drive from Dayton and Cincinnati and 90 minutes from Indianapolis and Columbus.

Arts and culture may also be found in Preble County at the Preble County Art Association in Eaton, where crafts and fine arts classes are offered, as well as various exhibitions. Historical culture is offered by the Preble County Historical Society with a collection of antiques, artifacts and memorabilia, and monthly programs.

Preble County has become the perfect place for those who love the quiet rural home life, work, or for play, yet desire easy access to big cities such as Dayton, Cincinnati or Columbus Ohio, or SE Indiana.