It was a sign of the times. In 2006, the ConAgra packaging and distributing facility in Archbold was told it would be closing, putting 353 people out of work.

While the village, about 50 miles west of Toledo, has a healthy economy (more people actually work in its 4.3 square miles than live there), ConAgra’s closing still would have been a major economic blow.

But rather than resigning themselves to it and looking for new jobs, the employees of ConAgra and the people of Archbold rose to the occasion.

“We decided we were going to make that decision [to close the plant] as hard as possible,” says plant manager Ron Corkins.

The employees cut costs and increased safety and performance. The village did its part by lowering utility bills for the plant. Not only did they save it, the facility went on to win ConAgra’s Plant of the Quarter award in the third fiscal quarter of 2008.

While the saving of ConAgra is certainly noteworthy, it’s really not surprising. Citizens of Archbold have exhibited an inspiring work ethic since the first German pioneers arrived around 1838 and set to work hewing the thickly wooded area to make it habitable, setting the stage for a rich history of woodworking.

Today, it’s hard to believe that the neat-as-a-pin downtown, packed with mom-and-pop establishments and restored storefronts, once sat in the middle of the trees of the Great Black Swamp. But it’s also because of that past that Archbold became prosperous. The fertile ground left behind from the murky swampland provided an unparalleled place for growing; today the land bears soybeans, wheat, corn and other cash crops, and supports hog and dairy farmers.

Punctuating the farmland and fields are 120 acres of parks with a variety of recreational opportunities. And a favorite destination for both residents and travelers from Ohio and surroundings states is Sauder Village.

While details of Archbold’s heritage can be explored at the living-history village, it’s also an important part of its legacy. The village was created by Erie Sauder, founder of the Sauder Woodworking Company, to complement Sauder’s already-sprawling world headquarters in Archbold. From humble beginnings in a barn, the first company to make ready-to-assemble furniture grew into the fifth largest residential furniture manufacturer in the nation.

Clearly the founders and town elders have instilled their characteristic work ethic in the town’s youth — Archbold schools have boasted a state rating of “excellent” for 10 consecutive years and have a nearly 100% graduation rate.

The schools prepare students for success with state-of-the-art technology that includes iPads in classrooms. Many graduates move on to studies at Four County Career Center or Northwest State Community College.

The overflowing cases of sports trophies lining the high school’s foyer prove that Archbold students are both brawny and brainy. And they have a great training ground — a $2.1-million sports complex built a few years ago entirely from donations from the community.

It’s a generosity that extends beyond the schools — projects are routinely funded by donations rather than taxes, leading to a belief among surrounding communities that Archbold residents are wealthy. It’s not true, according to Marsha Dowdy of the Archbold Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The community is so giving when there’s a need,” she says. “It’s a combined effort that everyone pools together for.”

And while it may not be particularly rich in the traditional sense, Archbold definitely overflows with a wealth of supportive, dedicated and hard-working citizens.

Archbold
Year Founded: 1866
Location: Fulton County, about 50 miles west of Toledo
Population: 4,505
Size: 4.3 sq. miles
Type of Government: Mayor, 6-member council