
Ohio is home to many charming county seats, each with its own unique photogenic qualities, historical landmarks, and picturesque landscapes. The state's county seats often feature beautiful courthouses, clock towers, bandstands, parks, and streams or rivers that enhance their appeal to tourists and photographers alike.
Franklin County is home to Columbus, which is not only Ohio's capital but also boasts a vibrant downtown with a mix of modern and historic architecture. The Franklin County Courthouse is an impressive example of neoclassical design, while the nearby Columbus Commons and Scioto Mile parks offer scenic riverfront views and green spaces. The Scioto River flows through downtown Columbus, providing a picturesque setting for the cityscape and making it an excellent spot for photography.
Cuyahoga County features Cleveland, known for its striking skyline and historic landmarks. The Cuyahoga County Courthouse stands out with its grand architecture, while the city's vibrant cultural scene is complemented by the scenic Cuyahoga River, which flows through the area. Public Square, with its historical statues and fountains, adds to the city’s photogenic charm. The Cleveland Metroparks system also offers numerous parks and trails along the river, perfect for capturing nature and urban beauty in one frame.
Tuscarawas County in New Philadelphia is another great example of Ohio’s photogenic county seats. The Tuscarawas County Courthouse is a fine example of classic architecture, and the city’s Courthouse Square offers a charming bandstand and a lovely park. The surrounding area is enriched with scenic spots along the Tuscarawas River, which enhances the county seat’s picturesque quality. The blend of historical and natural elements makes New Philadelphia a noteworthy destination for photographers.
Perry County features New Lexington, known for its quaint, small-town charm. The Perry County Courthouse is a historic building that adds character to the town's landscape. The presence of local parks and the scenic beauty of nearby streams contribute to the overall appeal. Though smaller in scale, New Lexington’s welcoming atmosphere and natural surroundings make it a delightful place to capture in photographs.
Geauga County has Chardon, which is known for its traditional county seat atmosphere. The Geauga County Courthouse is a classic example of municipal architecture, and the town is graced with several parks and the scenic Chardon Square. The nearby rivers and streams provide additional opportunities for capturing serene, rural landscapes, making Chardon a picturesque spot in Ohio.
Hamilton County is home to Cincinnati, where the impressive Hamilton County Courthouse stands out. The city is known for its scenic Over-the-Rhine district and its beautiful parks, such as Washington Park and Smale Riverfront Park. The Ohio River adds to the city’s photogenic quality, with stunning views of the riverbanks and the skyline. Cincinnati’s combination of historic and modern architecture, along with its vibrant public spaces, provides ample opportunities for photography.
Montgomery County features Dayton, with its striking combination of historical and contemporary architecture. The Montgomery County Courthouse, along with the historic Oregon District, provides a picturesque setting. The Five Rivers MetroParks system, which includes rivers and streams, offers beautiful natural backdrops for capturing Dayton’s charm. The confluence of the Great Miami, Mad, and Stillwater Rivers near Dayton enhances its visual appeal.
Summit County has Akron, where the Summit County Courthouse and the surrounding public spaces offer a blend of historical charm and modernity. The city’s parks, such as the Akron Zoo and the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, provide beautiful natural and landscaped settings. The nearby Cuyahoga River adds a scenic touch to the city’s overall photogenic quality, making Akron a noteworthy location for capturing both urban and natural beauty.
In terms of population size, Cuyahoga County is the most populous county in Ohio, with its county seat, Cleveland, being the largest city in the state. Conversely, Vinton County is one of the least populous counties, with its county seat, McArthur, being one of the smallest in terms of population. This contrast highlights the diversity of Ohio’s county seats, from bustling urban centers to tranquil small towns, each offering unique photographic opportunities and historical significance.
Ohio County Seats
County Seat Akron, Summit County
County Seat Ashland, Ashland County
County Seat Athens, Athens County
County Seat Batavia, Clermont County
County Seat Bellefontaine, Logan County
County Seat Bowling Green, Wood County
County Seat Bryan, Williams County
County Seat Bucyrus, Crawford County
County Seat Cadiz, Harrison County
County Seat Caldwell, Noble County
County Seat Cambridge, Guernsey County
County Seat Canton, Stark County
County Seat Carrollton, Carroll County
County Seat Celina, Mercer County
County Seat Chardon, Geauga County
County Seat Chillicothe, Ross County
County Seat Cincinnati, Hamilton County
County Seat Circleville, Pickaway County
County Seat Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
County Seat Columbus, Franklin County
County Seat Coshocton, Coshocton County
County Seat Dayton, Montgomery County
County Seat Defiance, Defiance County
County Seat Delaware, Delaware County
County Seat Eaton, Preble County
County Seat Elyria, Lorain County
County Seat Findlay, Hancock County
County Seat Fremont, Sandusky County
County Seat Gallipolis, Gallia County
County Seat Georgetown, Brown County
County Seat Greenville, Darke County
County Seat Hamilton, Butler County
County Seat Hillsboro, Highland County
County Seat Ironton, Lawrence County
County Seat Jackson, Jackson County
County Seat Jefferson, Ashtabula County
County Seat Kenton, Hardin County
County Seat Lancaster, Fairfield County
County Seat Lebanon, Warren County
County Seat Lima, Allen County
County Seat Lisbon, Columbiana County
County Seat Logan, Hocking County
County Seat London, Madison County
County Seat Mansfield, Richland County
County Seat Ashland, Ashland County
County Seat Athens, Athens County
County Seat Batavia, Clermont County
County Seat Bellefontaine, Logan County
County Seat Bowling Green, Wood County
County Seat Bryan, Williams County
County Seat Bucyrus, Crawford County
County Seat Cadiz, Harrison County
County Seat Caldwell, Noble County
County Seat Cambridge, Guernsey County
County Seat Canton, Stark County
County Seat Carrollton, Carroll County
County Seat Celina, Mercer County
County Seat Chardon, Geauga County
County Seat Chillicothe, Ross County
County Seat Cincinnati, Hamilton County
County Seat Circleville, Pickaway County
County Seat Cleveland, Cuyahoga County
County Seat Columbus, Franklin County
County Seat Coshocton, Coshocton County
County Seat Dayton, Montgomery County
County Seat Defiance, Defiance County
County Seat Delaware, Delaware County
County Seat Eaton, Preble County
County Seat Elyria, Lorain County
County Seat Findlay, Hancock County
County Seat Fremont, Sandusky County
County Seat Gallipolis, Gallia County
County Seat Georgetown, Brown County
County Seat Greenville, Darke County
County Seat Hamilton, Butler County
County Seat Hillsboro, Highland County
County Seat Ironton, Lawrence County
County Seat Jackson, Jackson County
County Seat Jefferson, Ashtabula County
County Seat Kenton, Hardin County
County Seat Lancaster, Fairfield County
County Seat Lebanon, Warren County
County Seat Lima, Allen County
County Seat Lisbon, Columbiana County
County Seat Logan, Hocking County
County Seat London, Madison County
County Seat Mansfield, Richland County
County Seat Marietta, Washington County
County Seat Marion, Marion County
County Seat Marysville, Union County
County Seat McArthur, Vinton County
County Seat McConnelsville, Morgan County
County Seat Medina, Medina County
County Seat Millersburg, Holmes County
County Seat Mount Gilead, Morrow County
County Seat Mount Vernon, Knox County
County Seat Napoleon, Henry County
County Seat New Lexington, Perry County
County Seat New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County
County Seat Newark, Licking County
County Seat Norwalk, Huron County
County Seat Ottawa, Putnam County
County Seat Painesville, Lake County
County Seat Paulding, Paulding County
County Seat Pomeroy, Meigs County
County Seat Port Clinton, Ottawa County
County Seat Portsmouth, Scioto County
County Seat Ravenna, Portage County
County Seat Saint Clairsville, Belmont County
County Seat Sandusky, Erie County
County Seat Sidney, Shelby County
County Seat Springfield, Clark County
County Seat Steubenville, Jefferson County
County Seat Tiffin, Seneca County
County Seat Toledo, Lucas County
County Seat Troy, Miami County
County Seat Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County
County Seat Urbana, Champaign County
County Seat Van Wert, Van Wert County
County Seat Wapakoneta, Auglaize County
County Seat Warren, Trumbull County
County Seat Washington Court House, Fayette County
County Seat Wauseon, Fulton County
County Seat Waverly City, Pike County
County Seat West Union, Adams County
County Seat Wilmington, Clinton County
County Seat Woodsfield, Monroe County
County Seat Wooster, Wayne County
County Seat Xenia, Greene County
County Seat Youngstown, Mahoning County
County Seat Zanesville, Muskingum County
County Seat Marion, Marion County
County Seat Marysville, Union County
County Seat McArthur, Vinton County
County Seat McConnelsville, Morgan County
County Seat Medina, Medina County
County Seat Millersburg, Holmes County
County Seat Mount Gilead, Morrow County
County Seat Mount Vernon, Knox County
County Seat Napoleon, Henry County
County Seat New Lexington, Perry County
County Seat New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County
County Seat Newark, Licking County
County Seat Norwalk, Huron County
County Seat Ottawa, Putnam County
County Seat Painesville, Lake County
County Seat Paulding, Paulding County
County Seat Pomeroy, Meigs County
County Seat Port Clinton, Ottawa County
County Seat Portsmouth, Scioto County
County Seat Ravenna, Portage County
County Seat Saint Clairsville, Belmont County
County Seat Sandusky, Erie County
County Seat Sidney, Shelby County
County Seat Springfield, Clark County
County Seat Steubenville, Jefferson County
County Seat Tiffin, Seneca County
County Seat Toledo, Lucas County
County Seat Troy, Miami County
County Seat Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County
County Seat Urbana, Champaign County
County Seat Van Wert, Van Wert County
County Seat Wapakoneta, Auglaize County
County Seat Warren, Trumbull County
County Seat Washington Court House, Fayette County
County Seat Wauseon, Fulton County
County Seat Waverly City, Pike County
County Seat West Union, Adams County
County Seat Wilmington, Clinton County
County Seat Woodsfield, Monroe County
County Seat Wooster, Wayne County
County Seat Xenia, Greene County
County Seat Youngstown, Mahoning County
County Seat Zanesville, Muskingum County