London, Ohio

London Navigation

Jolly day ‘ole chap! Welcome to London, Ohio; an English town without the fog.

London, Madison County's seat and largest community, was established in 1811 by Patrick McLene on land owned by John Murfin. Many believe that the English residents named the town after London, England and that its streets were designed to resemble an English neighborhood.

Visit our Madison County Historical Society Museum and see several historic buildings on display, including the cabin built by the county’s first white settler, Jonathan Alder, near the banks of Big Darby Creek in 1806; the Elizabeth Kitchen log house, one of the first homes built in London; and the original Florence Switch Station train station.

The county courthouse in downtown London is also an architectural beauty. Built in 1890, the Second Empire-style courthouse features a prominent clock tower, mansard roof and arched windows.

Today, London is home to nearly 10,000 residents and has become an attractive community serving a very large region.

London is also home to incredible attractions such as:

One of the largest kit car shows in the country, the London Cobra Show;
London's famous Olde Fashioned Christmas;
A working state fish hatchery;
Ohio's own version of CSI, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation;
One of the nation's top rated peace officer training academies;
The MG Club's London to Brighton Run;
The London Strawberry Festival;
The London Rib and Jazz Fest;
London Farmer's Market;
The Madison County Fair;
The OSU Molly Caren Center, home to the nation's largest agricultural trade show, the Farm Science Review; and
A wiffle ball tournament that draws thousands

Nike Advertising Campaign Featuring London, Ohio

In 2012, London, Ohio was featured as part of a worldwide Nike advertising campaign in conjunction with the 2012 Olympic Games in London,

England

. Nike Inc. launched its “Find Your Greatness” campaign, the centerpiece of which was a 60-second motivational piece that includes footage taken in London, Ohio, and in other London ’s around the globe. The film opens with a shot of the London, Ohio, water tower and later includes wrestling scenes shot in the London High School gymnasium and an exterior shot of the London Fire Department.

The YouTube video went viral, with nearly 5 million views online, and appeared on TV in 25 countries during the Olympics in London,

England

There is something to do and see for everyone in our family-oriented town. We welcome you to visit us and find a little bit of England in a Midwestern state.