It’s the history, some say. Others cite the downtown district, the friendly faces or the architecturally handsome homes. But what appears to truly define Lebanon is a backpack — and how it serves to feed the city’s hungriest kids, thanks to businesses and volunteers.

The Warriors Backpack Program began three years ago. Every Wednesday night during the school year, a group of volunteers meets at Heritage Baptist Church to bag a weekend’s worth of food, which is then distributed on Friday afternoons to needy Lebanon schoolchildren. The only requirement? On Monday morning, they must return the empty backpacks. And they haven’t lost one yet.

As a result of the program, “We’ve seen significant improvement in attendance and grades, as well as a large decrease in misbehavior,” says Mark North, superintendent of Lebanon City Schools. With this kind of commitment to student success, it’s no surprise that the school district was rated Excellent by the Ohio Department of Education in 2010–2011.

That’s just the way things are in Lebanon, a community where people band together, whether it’s keeping the local food pantry filled or efforts by downtown merchants to coordinate storefront displays so that each offers a unique experience for visitors.

Aside from the quaint shops, the downtown area’s picturesque atmosphere has garnered national attention on the big screen — the streetscapes served as background for “Harper Valley PTA” and “Milk Money,” filmed in 1977 and 1993, respectively. “Milk Money” screenwriter John Mattson says he chose Lebanon because it resembled a kind of “Midwestern Norman Rockwellish” town.

Downtown Lebanon has long been a magnet for area residents and visitors alike. The Warren County History Center is the place to learn about local heritage, explore genealogy or view the nationally renowned Shaker Gallery. The Golden Lamb — the state’s oldest inn and continuously operating business, founded in 1803 — has hosted 12 United States presidents and other notables such as Henry Clay, Charles Dickens and Harriet Beecher Stowe. During the holidays, the Golden Lamb’s balcony is the best spot in town to watch the Antique Horse-Drawn Carriage Christmas Parade, which welcomes a crowd of 80,000 annually. Across the street is the Lebanon Public Library, which was funded in 1903 by Andrew Carnegie. Just down the street, the locally owned and operated Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory serves up sweets made on-site.

Streets bordering downtown are lined with Italianate, Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne-style homes. One of these is Glendower Mansion, owned and operated by the Warren County Historical Society. A stellar example of northern antebellum Greek revival architecture, Glendower offers tours and events held by WCHS. Some nine bed and breakfasts occupy other charming homes in the area.

Lebanon residents appreciate the city’s small-town allure and its convenience to Dayton and Cincinnati, both within a 40-minute drive. Jim Bliss, board president of the Historic Downtown Lebanon Association Inc., and his wife chose to move to Lebanon seven years ago because “it is large enough to offer the services we need, yet small enough to offer the small-town safety and conveniences.”

Recreational opportunities abound in Lebanon. The Ralph J. Stolle Countryside YMCA boasts five swimming pools, fitness classes and sports and summer camps. The community’s green spaces include 15 parks spread over 330 acres.

Countryside YMCA CEO and President Mike Carroll sums up Lebanon perfectly: “It’s a marvelous mix — a family-friendly and warm place.”

Lebanon
Year Founded: 1802
Location: Warren County, 32.5 miles northwest of Cincinnati
Population: 20,003
Size: 11.8 sq. miles
Type of Government: Council-manager, 7-member council including mayor