Editing Van Buren, Ohio (section)

==History==
Van Buren was laid out in 1833, and named after [[Martin Van Buren]], who was then the incumbent Vice President (1833–1837) and later became President of the United States (1837–1841). The village was incorporated in 1866.<ref name="History 352">{{cite book|title=History of Hancock County, Ohio: Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofhancock01brow|year=1886|publisher=Warner, Beers|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofhancock01brow/page/352 352]}}</ref>

The first schoolhouse in [[Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio|Allen Township]] was a small log structure built in 1836. It was built of round logs with a clapboard roof, had greased paper windows and a huge fireplace at one end. About 1870 a two-room brick building was built on East Market Street. This building was later condemned and a four-room school was erected and used till 1917 when the schools of Allen Township were centralized and the present school, [[Van Buren High School (Ohio)|Van Buren High School]], was erected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanburenohio.org/history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729233852/http://www.vanburenohio.org/history|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 29, 2015|title=Our History - Village of Van Buren|website=www.vanburenohio.org|access-date=February 21, 2017}}</ref>

A post office called Van Buren has been in operation since 1835.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=OH&county=Hancock | title=Hancock County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=January 3, 2016}}</ref>

Van Buren is also home to the Van Buren State Park. Van Buren State Park's history traces back to its origins as a designated wildlife preserve. In 1939, the construction of a dam on Rocky Ford Creek was undertaken to enhance the area's fish and wildlife resources. By 1950, the stewardship of this land was transferred to Ohio State Parks, where it has remained as a cherished state park ever since. This park bears the name of Martin Van Buren, the nation's eighth President.<ref name="ohiodnr.gov">{{cite web |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Ohio Department of Natural Resources |url=https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/van-buren-state-park}}</ref>

Once home to the Shawnee people, the environment surrounding Van Buren State Park is characterized by bountiful woodlands and fertile agricultural lands. Comprising 296 acres, the park serves as a serene and peaceful sanctuary, welcoming year-round visitors to partake in activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking.<ref name="ohiodnr.gov"/>