First settled in 1814 by the Daniel Nelson, Nelsonville was incorporated in 1838 with Charles Cable as its first mayor.

Nelsonville blossomed into a classic Appalachian town by the mid-19th century, relying on the extractive industries of coal, clay and salt.
 Like many large mining towns, Nelsonville was home to a large hotel, The Dew House, and a thriving theater, Stuart's Opera House, both located on the Public Square.

During the American Civil War's famed Morgan's Raid, Confederate cavalry under Brig.
Gen. John Hunt Morgan paused in Nelsonville in July 1863 and burned ten wooden canal boats.
However, the 400 confederates failed to destroy a covered bridge over the Hocking Canal when citizens rushed to extinguish the blaze after the raiders rode off.
This allowed Union cavalry to continue their pursuit of the fleeing Confederates when they arrived in Nelsonville two hours later.
 Upon arriving in town, the Union cavalry was delighted that the townspeople had prepared a feast for them.

Recent years have brought a revival of sorts to Nelsonville, capturing its artistic spirit in an effort to restore the Public Square into an Arts District.
 Most recently, Nelsonville was admitted into the national Main Street Program, and named a Preserve America Community.
 The central business district has also been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and both the Dew House and Stuart's Opera House have been listed separately.
Nelsonville was home to a number of companies that used the area's dense clay to produce many different types of bricks, particularly glazed paving bricks, some with a distinctive star pattern (see photo).
Many of the sidewalks in the public square and historic district contain these bricks.

Nelsonville owes its existence to the coal mining industry.
In more recent years, its main industrial base was the Rocky Shoes & Boots factory, which has since moved out of the country, but continues to maintain the new Rocky Gear Store, set in the recently renovated, original factory next to Rocky Brands corporate offices.
Another important employer is Hocking College.
Other major employers in Nelsonville include: Tri-County Vocational School, ED MAP (a course materials management company), OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center,  Nelsonville-York City Schools, Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, Hocking Valley Residential Center, and SEPTA Center.

Nelsonville is organized around a historic downtown district called Public Square with art galleries, restaurants, bar(The Mine Tavern) and cafes.
Every month, a "Final Friday" celebration is held with vendors, art show openings, and often shows at the recently renovated Stuart's Opera House, a 19th-century theater.

The main commercial district is centered on the Canal Street strip that runs from the eastern to western corporation limits.
 Recent development has occurred on Canal Street over the past decade.
First settled in 1814 by the Daniel Nelson, Nelsonville was incorporated in 1838 with Charles Cable as its first mayor. 
Nelsonville blossomed into a classic Appalachian town by the mid-19th century, relying on the extractive industries of coal, clay and salt.  Like many large mining towns, Nelsonville was home to a large hotel, The Dew House, and a thriving theater, Stuart's Opera House, both located on the Public Square.
During the American Civil War's famed Morgan's Raid, Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan paused in Nelsonville in July 1863 and burned ten wooden canal boats. However, the 400 confederates failed to destroy a covered bridge over the Hocking Canal when citizens rushed to extinguish the blaze after the raiders rode off. This allowed Union cavalry to continue their pursuit of the fleeing Confederates when they arrived in Nelsonville two hours later.  Upon arriving in town, the Union cavalry was delighted that the townspeople had prepared a feast for them.
Recent years have brought a revival of sorts to Nelsonville, capturing its artistic spirit in an effort to restore the Public Square into an Arts District.  Most recently, Nelsonville was admitted into the national Main Street Program, and named a Preserve America Community.  The central business district has also been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and both the Dew House and Stuart's Opera House have been listed separately. Nelsonville was home to a number of companies that used the area's dense clay to produce many different types of bricks, particularly glazed paving bricks, some with a distinctive star pattern (see photo). Many of the sidewalks in the public square and historic district contain these bricks.
Nelsonville owes its existence to the coal mining industry. In more recent years, its main industrial base was the Rocky Shoes & Boots factory, which has since moved out of the country, but continues to maintain the new Rocky Gear Store, set in the recently renovated, original factory next to Rocky Brands corporate offices. Another important employer is Hocking College. Other major employers in Nelsonville include: Tri-County Vocational School, ED MAP (a course materials management company), OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center,  Nelsonville-York City Schools, Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, Hocking Valley Residential Center, and SEPTA Center.
Nelsonville is organized around a historic downtown district called Public Square with art galleries, restaurants, bar(The Mine Tavern) and cafes. Every month, a "Final Friday" celebration is held with vendors, art show openings, and often shows at the recently renovated Stuart's Opera House, a 19th-century theater.
The main commercial district is centered on the Canal Street strip that runs from the eastern to western corporation limits.  Recent development has occurred on Canal Street over the past decade.
Nelsonville, Ohio