In the past Ohio City has had two name changes, Van Wert Junction and Enterprise. It was platted on March 4-8, 1876 by Butler, Patterson & Company as Van Wert Junction. On June 1, 1882 a vote was taken with 28 for and 11 against to change the name to Enterprise. The name Enterprise caused much confusion to the post office at the time because there was another Enterprise in Pickaway County, OH. Again, the name was in need of being changed.

The town council met on June 1, 1890, and a man by the name of Lewis J. Kiggins brought up the subject, and asked the rest of the men if they liked Ohio City. The vote was taken and Ohio City became the new name.

In 1910, Ohio City was a very prosperous town. It has three churches, one Union School, 2 dry goods stores, two hardware stores, one clothing store, two millinery establishments, three hotels, three restaurants, one bakery, four saloons, two shoe shops, one tailor shop, one silversmith shop, one slack barrel factory, one lumber yard, two blacksmith shops, two elevators, one tile factory, one lumberyard, two blacksmith shops, one beet dump, two sawmills, one harness shop, one ice-making house, and three railroads all using the centrally located Union Depot.

Ohio City has had it's share of exciting events happen. In 1925, two bandits held up the bank 12:30 PM and made away with $4,000. In 1930, bandits rob Farmers bank, leaving one wounded when cashier opens fire.  On March, 1996 the Van Wert National Bank was robbed. 

Ohio City is also known for the Lambert Car.