Village of Attica

Anyone driving from Central Ohio to Sandusky has probably driven up SR 4. Along that well-traveled route are a few towns of size, most notably Bucyrus, Chatfield and Attica.

For those that haven't traveled SR4, are probably familiar with the name Attica, but it's not the town located in Seneca County. Attica, New York is the more familiar community, but probably only because of the infamous prison riots that took place there in the 1970s. Well, there is a connection between these two communities.

When Ezra Gilbert came to the crossroad intersection of the Tiffin and Sandusky Roads (today SR. 224 and 4) he decided to build a cabin and tavern. He also decided to use his tavern as a post office. An application to become a post office in the early 1800s required the post office to be located in a named town. Since Ezra Gilbert was only resident of his little community of one, he decided to name his "town" after his home town back in Attica New York. Four years later when William and Samuel Miller wanted to establish a much larger community that just Ezra Gilbert's tavern, they began the process of having the area surveyed and lots plotted which could then be sold. The Millers decided that since Ezra had already gone to the trouble of establishing an official post office, they would keep that name for their new town.

Cameron Car Company Shop in Attica (1910) Courtesty Ohio History Connection

Cameron Car Company

Long before Attica Raceway Park, there was a small automobile manufacturing company in Attica called the Cameron Car Company. The company began in Rhode Island and was named for Everet Cameron. They were a quality automobile for its time, but the management of the company couldn't seem to make things work. From the beginning in 1903 to its end in 1920 the company manufactured cares in a total of 9 cities and towns from the east coast to Michigan. In fact they set a record for having autos produced in more cities than any other car company.

During the years 1912 and 1913, all of the Cameron automobiles were assembled in West Haven, Ct., but parts and bodies were produced in Attica as well as Beverly, Massachusetts

Oak Ridge Festival

Twice a year, once on the third weekend in July and again on the third weekend in October, come rain or shine, 40 acres of land just north of Attica is turned into a gathering of handmade crafts, live entertainment, antique farm equipment, a pre-1860 encampment, great food and lots of activities the kids will enjoy.