Ohio Magazine's Best Hometowns: Archbold

An old fashioned restaurant, Mom's Diner, is only fitting in the small village of Archbold.

"I ran that when I was 18. Now, my brother and family run it some 30 years later," said Jim Wyse

Wyse has another job now. He's been the Archbold mayor for eight years now, and said his hometown is a hidden treasure.

"Many times, the award goes to the larger cities. We are not a city, just a village of 4,500. We have a lot to be thankful for," said Wyse.

That includes Sauder Village, a tourist attraction which brings people in from all over the world, reported ONN's Stephanie Mennecke.

"Out here in the cornfields, you wonder who will come. But they do, they come and they are fascinated," said Debbie Sauder David.

She is now in charge of her grandfather's vision, and more than 100,000 people come through the village annually to take a step back into time.

But driving through this quaint village, you quickly see and learn the simpler times of the past are still very much alive today.

Lauber clothing is the oldest businesses in town, dating back to 1888.

The clothes have changed over the years, but the love for this business and this town has not. In fact, the owner said the best part of his day is coming to work.

Then, there's Ernie Ball who is known as the town's cowboy.

"It's just a nice little town," summed up Ball.

One that's gaining quite a reputation.

"We've heard it said by some of our guests that Archbold is the hometown you always imagined," said Debbie Saunder David.

They are now hearing that it is also one of the best.

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