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Glendale, Ohio: Black Squirrel Town

Since the 1940s Glendale has had a population of black squirrels (imported from Michigan). It paints fire trucks black, features a dozen big fiberglass squirrel statues from a 2005 civic art project, and there's a dead stuffed black squirrel official greeter at the Village Office.

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Squirrel statue.

Black Squirrels

The Village of Glendale, Ohio (a suburb of Cincinnati) also has black squirrels, and in honor of them, even the fire trucks are painted black.

[Jason A. Powell, 07/25/2011]

Glendale's Black Squirrel Origin Story traces them back to the 1940s when a Glendale businessman brought four from Harbor Springs, MI and let them go in town. One was shot dead within weeks, but the survivors went forth and multiplied. The hide of the shot squirrel may still hang in the village's Meritage Restaurant. A recent community art project featured decorated squirrel statues. An "official greeter" dead squirrel can be seen in the Glendale Village Office.

Black Squirrel Town

Address:
1140 Congress Ave., Glendale, OH
Directions:
Suburb of Cincinnati, Congress Ave and Sharon Rd.
Hours:
Visible in trees, parks. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Large Cougar StatueLarge Cougar Statue, Cincinnati, OH - 5 mi.
Trammel Fossil ParkTrammel Fossil Park, Sharonville, OH - 4 mi.
Giant Indian SignGiant Indian Sign, Cincinnati, OH - 5 mi.
In the region:
Gravity Hill, Covington, KY - 14 mi.

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