Toledo, with an estimated population of 301,285 (2005), is the fourth-largest city in the state of Ohio. The city's location on the western end of Lake Erie gave way to rapid development in textiles, shipping and most notably the glass manufacturing industry that gave Toledo the nickname "The Glass City." Many innovations in glass functionality and design were pioneered by Toledo companies and many of these can be found at the Toledo Museum of Art. Libbey Owens Ford and Jeep manufacturers have long been a staple of Toledo's economy. On January 15, 1936, the first building to be completely covered in glass was constructed in Toledo by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. Its successful architectural design eventually became a staple of building styles worldwide.
Other major employers in the area include Dana Corporation and Owens-Corning, HCR Manor Care, the University of Toledo, and three major automobile manufacturing plants. Economic development in the area has been promoted with the installation of a Wi-Fi network for government, business and personal access for 81 square miles of the city. Colleges and universities that call the city home are University of Toledo, Davis College, Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Stautzenberger College, and the Toledo Professional Skills Institute.
Toledo has its share of culture, history, art and science housed at locations like the Toledo Museum of Art, where you can find The Center for Visual Arts and the new Glass Pavilion. Other sites of interest include the Toledo Zoo, The COSI Toledo Science Museum, The Willis B. Boyer lake freighter, the Old West End, and the Mansion View Inn. Outdoor recreation and nature exhibits can be found at the Toledo Botanical Garden, Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, the University Parks Trail, and several Toledo Metroparks.
