Yellow Springs Community

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.

(courtesy of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce)