About Alger
A village with deep roots
Alger’s story is shaped by transportation, agriculture, neighbors who know one another, and people whose achievements have reached far beyond the village limits.
Our story
From Jagger to Alger
The community developed along the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad and the route now known as State Route 235. It was laid out in 1882 by Elias Jagger and was first known as Jagger. The name was later changed to Alger in honor of Russell A. Alger, an Ohio-born Civil War veteran who became governor of Michigan and U.S. Secretary of War.
The Village of Alger was incorporated in 1896. Today, it remains part of the rural fabric of Hardin County and the Upper Scioto Valley community.
The village was laid out along important rail and road connections.
Alger was officially incorporated as a village.
The U.S. Census counted 837 residents in Alger.
Today
Connected to the region
Alger is located in Hardin County on State Route 235, south of Ada. Local families are connected through Upper Scioto Valley Schools, the Alger Public Library, village services, nearby county offices, farms, churches, volunteer organizations, and community traditions.
Alger at a glance
- County: Hardin County, Ohio
- ZIP code: 45812
- 2020 Census population: 837
- Village Office: 207 Angle Street
- Main route: Ohio State Route 235
Community life
A place to gather
Alger Village Park gives neighbors and families a welcoming place to play, relax, and spend time together. Its playground, green space, and pavilion reflect the small-town connections at the heart of village life.
Local legacy
Ray Brown: from Alger to Cooperstown
Raymond Brown was born in Alger on February 23, 1908. He became a standout pitcher for the Homestead Grays and one of the great players of the Negro Leagues. Brown was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Community partners continue working to preserve and share his remarkable story.
National Baseball Hall of Fame profile →
Hardin County Historical Museums project →
Sources and further reading
This page draws on records from the U.S. Census Bureau, historic regional publications, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Hardin County Historical Museums.
U.S. Census place data · History of Northwest Ohio · Ray Brown biography