Founded by John A. Bryan in 1840, the modest village bearing his name soon came to be known as the "Fountain City" for its many artesian wells bubbling with clear, cool water. As roads and rail began to crisscross the Midwest, Bryan, the seat of Williams County, grew in local and regional significance as a bustling locale where politics, agriculture, and industry intersected with profit. Perhaps most famous for internationally known products such as the Ohio Art's Etch-A-Sketch and Spangler Candy's Dum Dums pops, Bryan is also the hometown of several notable natives, including a silent screen star, an astronaut, professional athletes, prominent academics, and nationally known authors. Recently named one of the 100 best small towns in the United States, Bryan still reflects the culture and values of traditional America.