Village Leaders Feel Pride as Barnesville Named an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown
As Ohio Magazine recognizes Barnesville among five great places to live, Barnesville leaders react with joy and pride to the honor.
Editors from the magazine visited villages and cities throughout the summer evaluating finalists in six categories—community spirit, education, entertainment, health and safety, business environment and culture and heritage.
Editors chose Barnesville in part for its strong sense of community, historic architecture and its ongoing efforts to preserve local landmarks for future generations, according to the press release.
Mayor Jake Hershberger wants the Village of Barnesville to celebrate this moment together. “It’s an incredible honor for Barnesville to be named one of Ohio Magazine’s best hometowns for 2025,” Hershberger said. “This recognition means so much to our village and truly reflects the strong community spirit we’re so proud of.”
Another person who keeps the village going is Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Jill Hissom. Hissom said this honor is not just about a title but about recognizing the way people of Barnesville come together to create a welcoming, vibrant place to live, work and visit.
She added the honor validates the chamber’s efforts to support local business, promote community events and preserve the unique character of Barnesville.
Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum board member Brock Rogers works hard to preserve history in the village. He said receiving this honor feels great to have outside recognition and that more people than just the Barnesville community can see how wonderful the village is.
“For the museum, it’s a reminder of how we contribute our own little portion of what makes Barnesville great,” he said. “There are so many little things that make a community, and it’s amazing to be any small part of that.”
Barnesville Exempted Village School District superintendent Micah Fuchs believes this honor shows how Barnesville school students grow up surrounded by people who believe in them and want them to succeed.
“Being named an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown for 2025 is something the whole community can be proud of for sure. Barnesville is a special place where people care about each other, where traditions still matter and where there’s a strong sense of pride in who we are…,” Fuchs said. “When the schools and the community work together, it creates something really special for our kids and for the future of this town.”
Executive Director of the Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County Crystal Lorimor said sometimes people don’t truly understand how unique or special many aspects of their community are because they are used to it. However, this honor is a reminder for how wonderful it is in Barnesville.
Barnesville Watt Center representative Mary Sidwell said this recognition gives Barnesville its rightful place, a place where people care about each other, where a focus on the town’s history is being kept alive and new enterprises are encouraged.
“For the Watt Center for History and the Arts, being chosen as one of Ohio’s Best Hometowns is a big yes, we’ve known that for decades, but now others across the state will get to know us too,” she said.” The Watt Center has become the repository for the town’s people’s, “attics” thus keeping history alive for the community.”
Although new to Barnesville, President and CEO for WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital Judy Bruno said she has been impressed by the warmth, pride and hospitality of the community.
“This honor shines a light on what those who live here already know — that Barnesville is a place where neighbors care for one another, traditions are celebrated and there’s a true sense of belonging,” she said.
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