About Us

Where Stark and Tuscarawas Counties come together.

Located just 10 miles south of Canton and Massillon and 10 miles north of Dover-New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Ohio, is the perfect place to live, work, and play!


Our community has everything you need from a Giant Eagle grocery store, Sleep Inn motel, numerous restaurants and shops, bike paths, a canoe livery on the Tuscarawas River, a branch of the Tuscarawas County Public Library, and two well-regarded golf courses. Housing choices are abundant with choices ranging from small town living, to suburban living, to country living.

Bolivar is served by the Tuscarawas Valley School District. The "Trojans" have a long history of academic and athletic prowess.

With a population of 894 people (year 2000 census), Bolivar still maintains its small town charm with all of the suburban amenities you need.


An industrial park houses several local industries providing economic vitality to the local community.

Historically, Bolivar is home to Fort Laurens. Fort Laurens was the only fort built in present-day Ohio during the Revolutionary War. The fort was built in 1778 on the banks of the Tuscarawas River and was named for the President of the Continental Congress, Henry Laurens. More than 20 American soldiers died at the fort because of attacks from British soldiers, loyalists, and Indian allies. A museum is at Fort Laurens along with the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution.

Bolivar's historical roots include development during the Ohio and Erie Canal era. Bolivar's origin developed when two young Canton men, John Shorb and William Christmas, heard talk of a canal linking Lake Erie with the Ohio River. Shorb and Christmas immediately plotted the Village of Bolivar. In 1830, the first canal boat came to Bolivar. BolivarŐs location became even more important when the Sandy and Beaver Canal was built. Connecting Bolivar to the east and plans to link the community to Pittsburgh, Bolivar became a focal trading center. However, the advent of rail transportation slowed down BolivarŐs growth.

While the growth was slowed down, it was not stopped. Bolivar has continued to experience economic prosperity. Present day development is benefited by Bolivar's location along Interstate 77 and State Route 212.


Located just 3 miles east of Bolivar along state route 212 is the historical Village of Zoar. Germany German religious dissenters called the Society of Separatists of Zoar in 1817 created the village. The dissenters formed a communal society. A visit to present-day Zoar reveals several restored buildings that are part of the Zoar Village State Memorial. The Zoar Community Association is charged with maintaining the village and hosts many events open to the public.

Bolivar is named for Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bol’var y Palacios Ponte Blanco, commonly known as Simon Bolivar 'The Liberator'. Simon Bolivar was a South American political leader. Bolivar is credited with assisting with the independence of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia. Addditionally, he served as President of Columbia from 1821-1830.