Rendville

6541 Main Street
Rendville, Ohio 43730

740-347-9139  
Dawn-Dusk
Free

Rendville

The Village of Rendville is the smallest incorporated village in Ohio and was the home of a sizable community of African American miners

The Village of Rendville is the smallest incorporated village in Ohio and was the home of a sizable community of African American miners. Today, the village is home to 36 people and is the site of frequent events conducted by the Little Cities of Black Diamonds group. The old town hall still stands and historical markers tell the story of Rendville’s racial diversity. In addition, the village is home to the Rendville Artworks, a non-profit art center and gallery. The Artworks is open to the public and caters to people of all abilities.

Rendville was founded in 1879 by mine industrialist William P. Rend. Rend proved himself a friend to mineworkers, refusing to cut wages or fire striking workers during the Great Hocking Valley Coal Strike. He broke color lines by hiring black workers in his mines against established taboos. Racial hostilities remained, leading many of these workers to settle in Rendville. A major incident occurred in 1880 when residents of nearby Corning attempted to drive out the black residents of Rendville. The Ohio National Guard was called in and little became of the incident. Like other communities in the area, Rendville’s prominence was tied to the coal mining industry. From its height at around 850 people, Rendville now has a population of only 36 individuals.

Visiting Rendville requires that one not miss it on a small stretch of State Route 13. Main St contains both the town hall and the Artworks. The cemetery is nearby and contains the graves of many prominent Rendville residents. To learn more about the people of Rendville, check out the listing for the Rendville Cemetery.

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Notes for Travelers

The Rendville Artworks is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.



Credits

Nick Bochenek

Additional Resources

Doppen, Frans H. Richard L. Davis and the Color Line in Ohio Coal: A Hocking Valley Mine Labor Organizer, 1862-1900. McFarland, 2016.