Tour - Historic Utica Walking Tour

Historic Utica Walking Tour

Utica, Ohio 43080, United States

Created By: Licking County Library

Tour Information

The village of Utica was established in 1814. Its founder, Major William Robertson, purchased the land and settled the area in 1810. Originally called Wilmington, the name of the settlement was changed to Utica in September 1821 with the opening of the village’s post office. The first railroad line arrived in Utica in 1848 and the first gas well was drilled in 1898. The village experienced rapid growth in both its economy and its population with the arrival of plate glass manufacturing in 1903, creating a “boomtown” atmosphere. After the collapse of the glass industry in 1929, Utica returned to a quieter, more rural existence, yet it continued to have a commercial and manufacturing presence. Learn more about this charming village and its complex history on this tour, made in partnership with the Utica Historical Society.

Tour Map

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What You'll See on the Tour

Campbell Grain Mill

Known to many as the Campbell Mill, the Utica grain mill has been an important landmark for the village. The flour mill was originally powered by a mill race created by damming the North Fork of the Licking River, just south of Watt’... Read more

Watson Building

The Watson Building—once home to James Watson’s dry goods store—remains one of the village’s oldest structures. It was spared the conflagrations that swept the neighboring buildings on the west side of South Main Street, includin... Read more

Hotel Quick

On March 8, 1910, a fire—one of many to strike the village—raged through Utica, destroying buildings north of the Watson Building on the west side of Main Street. The residence owned by Ben Quick was among those destroyed by the fire.... Read more

Mystic Theatre

The Albert Brothers—Bill and Sam—built the Mystic Theatre at 60 South Main Street in 1909. It featured one screen and affordable prices. The Anderson family of London, Ohio renovated the theater and operated it until 1952. A series of... Read more

Wilson Block

The name Wilson has been associated with a number of buildings in Utica, including multiple “Wilson Blocks.” Abel Wilson, his brother Jesse, and Peter Sperry founded the First National Bank of Utica in 1871. Abel Wilson would eventu... Read more

Glass Industry Mural

Utica was home to five different glass manufacturers on four sites in the village between 1903 and 1929: Utica Glass Company (1903-1928), Central Window Glass Company (1905-1912), Advance Glass Company (1906-1911), Licking Window Glass Comp... Read more

Utica Village Hall

The modern-day municipal building of Utica sits at 39 Spring Street, occupying the same site as Utica’s “Old Town Hall.” Built in 1880, the hall was a multifunctional space, housing the jail, library and public-school rooms in addit... Read more

Utica Wall of Honor

Currently the site of the Utica Wall of Honor, the open fields along Spring Street have an important historic past. School Street to the south of the field hints at what once stood here: Union Public School and Washington High School. Thi... Read more

Hufford House

The Hufford House at 45 North Main Street is named after its last owner and donor, Ned Hufford. It is the oldest standing house in Utica, built around 1824 and using locally made brick. The home operated as a boarding house with rooms to ... Read more