Magnetic Springs

History

Magnetic Springs was platted in 1879 when underground springs were discovered there. The community earned its name from the mineral waters used for healing processes. Word spread across the country of these springs, and tourists began visiting from locations nationwide; even foreigners appeared occasionally. Hotel resorts sprang up, and the village boomed. Following the discovery of modern medicinal cures, including the vaccine for polio, the interest in natural healing remedies faded, and the city's tourism industry collapsed. By the early 1980s, the hotel resorts had been torn down. During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, the village was a local hotbed of bootlegging and gambling, although it faced vigorous opposition from the mayor, Mary McFadden. She also led bond raising campaigns for public services and a larger town hall, and to encourage full council meetings she cooked dinner for all the members.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,464
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  6,930
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  6,715
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  5,179
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,141
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,031
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,809
• Downy Woodpecker

  Dryobates pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  4,802

Most recent

• M 2.9 — 2023-12-09
  5 km W of Jackson Center, Ohio
• M 2.8 — 2008-09-30
  5 km SW of Kettlersville, Ohio
• M 2.5 — 2006-08-15
  3 km NE of Fort Shawnee, Ohio
• M 2.8 — 2006-05-12
  2 km E of Lima, Ohio