If you’ve lived in the Buckeye State for any length of time, you know just how special our small towns can be. What you might not know is the story of a special black squirrel population hiding in a small Ohio village. Glendale, Ohio in Hamilton County is Ohio’s unofficial black squirrel town. It’s an interesting story that dates back to the 1940s. Today, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of these non-native creatures scurrying through the town and several other landmarks that pay homage to the unique wildlife.

A charming village tucked away in the Cincinnati area, this picturesque little town is a lovely place to call home.
Bedford/Wikimedia Commons
It's home to a little more than 2,000 people and the Glendale Historic District.
At first glance, it might look like your average Ohio suburb —but look a little closer and you'll spot something a little peculiar.
elycefeliz/Flickr
Your eyes don't deceive you. That is a firefighter squirrel, standing guard outside the local fire department.

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Scattered throughout the town, you'll find hand painted, 4-ft. tall, fiberglass squirrels along the streets, in front of businesses and nearly anywhere else you could think to place a giant squirrel.
Tracy Lee Carroll/Flickr
The squirrel statues were created in celebration of the village's 150th birthday, according to the village's website.
So what's the story behind these unusual statues? In the 1940s, a Glendale businessman named Thomas Carruthers III brought back two black squirrels from Harbor Springs, Michigan.
GabboT/Flickr
Since then, the squirrels have multiplied—even after one was allegedly shot and displayed in the local tavern. (Note: The pictured squirrel was not spotted in Glendale, Ohio. To view some pictures of locally spotted squirrels, visit the village of Glendale's website.)
Today, the town is home to a fairly large population of these furry friends, due to the abundance of trees —and maybe even the welcoming statues.
elycefeliz/Flickr
(Serious question: Where else in Ohio can you find a black squirrel?)

Have you ever been to the village of Glendale before? If so, did you spot one of the black squirrels? Share your experiences and photos with us!

For more unique small towns in Ohio, check out our previous article: Most People Don’t Know The Center Of The World Is Actually In Ohio…Sort Of.

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