Northwood, Logan County, Ohio

Northwood, Ohio
Unincorporated community
Northwood today
Location of Northwood, Ohio
Coordinates: 40°28′22″N 83°43′57″W / 40.47278°N 83.73250°W / 40.47278; -83.73250Coordinates: 40°28′22″N 83°43′57″W / 40.47278°N 83.73250°W / 40.47278; -83.73250
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Logan
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)

Northwood is a small, unincorporated community crossroads village in northern Logan County, Ohio, United States. It lies along the line between Richland Township and McArthur Township, approximately two miles south of the village of Belle Center and near the South Fork of the Great Miami River. Northwood was founded in the early 19th century, during the early years of settlement in Logan County. Its primary significance lies in its being the original site of Geneva College.

During the 1830s, the Rev. J. B. Johnston, pastor of the Miami Reformed Presbyterian Church in Northwood, began teaching a small classical school in his study. Friends and relatives, noticing the popularity of his classes, began to suggest the opening of a small college in the area. Eventually, Geneva Hall was opened in the spring of 1848, partially under the oversight of the Lakes Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Despite its initial popularity, the school soon failed for lack of money and support. At the end of the Civil War, Geneva was reopened as a school for freedmen and soon began to educate whites as well. The community received a post office on November 24, 1868. During the 1870s, its name was changed from Geneva Hall to Geneva College, and the college became significant enough that the town's name was changed to "West Geneva". Although the college flourished, it moved to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in 1880, largely because of Northwood's lack of a railroad and because of greater financial possibilities there.