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Community Life (courtesy of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce)
Yellow Springs is a small town with a
population of about 4,000. Miami Township includes the
village, the nearby village of Clifton and the surrounding
countryside
, with a total population of
about 6,000. The Yellow Springs/Miami Township community is known for its
recreational attractions, wonderful downtown shops and unique
restaurants. The community is culturally diverse and
represents a wide range of political and social views with an
emphasis on being open and friendly.
The area - and more
specifically, the actual spring - was discovered around 1800 and
quickly became a major attraction for those seeking its curative
waters. For more than one hundred years, the town was a
popular health resort with hotels, spas, boarding houses and a
tavern to serve travelers on the nearby stagecoach road. With
the completion of the Little Miami Railroad in 1846, Yellow Springs
became the center of trade and recreation for the
region.
The spring which gives our town its name
still exists, but the spas, boarding houses and large hotels are
long gone. The railroad has been converted into miles of
biking trails for everyone to enjoy.
Today, visitors come for shopping, dining and
recreation. The downtown thrives by offering an
eclectic assortment of shops and restaurants. There is
limited lodging available in Yellow Springs, so call
in advance.
Retail Experience
Many of our shops
are small, independently owned and operated ventures. In our
community, you are far from the crowds and retail chains of the
malls. Yellow Springs streets and window-boxed
store fronts invite you to explore our many distinctive
shops.
Pick
up a fresh cup of coffee and home-baked muffin and take a
stroll down the tree-lined streets of our downtown retail
area. Here you will find dozens of distinctive shops
offering gifts, spices, health foods, hand-crafted jewelry,
pottery, clocks, sandals, stained glass, toys, musical
instruments, art prints, books, bicycles, imported clothing and
more. Afterward, enjoy a casual lunch or dinner at one
our quaint restaurants.
Leisure and Fun
There is a variety
of plentiful leisure activities for all ages. The community is
located on the Little Miami Scenic Trail Bike Path, which
runs north and south through the community. The total
length of the path is 69 miles, extending all the way down
to Cincinnati. Spend the afternoon biking, skating or
take a hike through Glen Helen nature preserve. Glen
Helen is a 1000-acre nature preserve offering miles of trails
highlighting springs, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and wooded
areas. Close to the community are the Clifton Gorge State Nature
Preserve and John Bryan State Park, which offer more opportunities
for hiking and camping.
Throughout the year, the community has street
festivals, craft fairs, art festivals, book fairs and many other
community events. The community boasts a community center,
seasonal swimming pool, fishing pond, sports fields, tennis courts
and other activities for all ages.
The Arts
Our community offers live theater groups, a
chamber music series with national and international visiting
performers, an award-winning public school music program, summer Shakespeare
series and a first-run art-film movie theater. In addition,
visitors may enjoy the several galleries located within
the community. Our weekly newspaper, a journal of
news and opinion since 1880, is a state and
national prize winner.
Educational
Diversity
The educational goal is to develop self-directed
individuals who strive for excellence and self-esteem, whether
college or vocationally bound. An exempted community school
district, Yellow Springs has an elementary school and a
combined middle and high school. The public schools enjoy
consistent financial support from the
community voters.
The Community
Children's Center is a licensed child-care center for ages 3 to
10. The Antioch School is a private school for
pre-school, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 6. Antioch
College is a nationally-recognized liberal arts college with a
strong emphasis on cooperative education. |
