Oberlin, Ohio

This town is the home of Oberlin College, a small liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students. In 2006 Oberlin won the nationwide America In Bloom competition, awarded to the town because of its admirable landscape and urban forestry beautification efforts. Oberlin also lies on a paved bicycle and pedestrian path, the North Coast Inland Trail, which travels southwest to Kipton and northeast to Elyria. This 12-feet wide asphalt trail is 65 miles in length. Oberlin was founded in 1833 by two Presbyterian ministers, John Shipherd and Philo P. Stewart. The two decided to name their community after Jean-Frédéric Oberlin (1740 - 1826), an Alsatian minister whose pedagogical achievements in a poor and remote area had greatly impressed and inspired them.