Lucas County is situated in the northwestern part of Ohio, with its county seat and largest city being Toledo, strategically located at the mouth of the Maumee River on Lake Erie. Established in 1835 and named after Governor Robert Lucas, its creation sparked the Toledo War, a notable boundary dispute with the Michigan Territory. This region holds significant historical importance, as it was near the site of the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers, a decisive American victory that opened the Northwest Territory for settlement and ultimately led to the departure of the indigenous Odawa people. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 431,279 and serves as the central hub for the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area, historically encompassing parts of the vast Great Black Swamp.