What makes Hicksville sights so special is the quiet determination of a small town, which since its founding in 1835 hardly wants to disappear from the map. Named after the early Hick settlers, the village is located in the heart of Hicksville Township, which in turn makes up a little Defiance County – a county that connects with corn fields rather than with large-city trout.
I have to admit that I don’t understand the whole hype about “rustic” places, but there’s something I really think is great: the way old brick houses on Main Street almost have a conversation with history. If you drive east through the State Route 2, you can immediately feel that the country has not been completely overwhelmed by modernity – a bit like a film set that has never been finished.
A short detour to Defiance, the County-Seat, is practically done by car via US‐24; the journey takes hardly 20 minutes and there you can visit the old courthouse, which tells more about the region than any tourist book. For travellers who do not arrive by train, the nearest major airport is Toledo Express, from where you can find the quiet country roads to Hicksville with a rental car.
So if you're looking for a place that needs less Instagram filters and has more honest, slightly cynical stories to tell, then Hicksville is just right. And yes, the Hicksville sights can be found everywhere if you just look a little closer.
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To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Hicksville, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop is the somewhat secluded, but surprisingly charming Fort Defiance. I spent a rainy afternoon there while I tried to count the old cannons – the result: more rust than metal. Admission is free, parking is a small battlefield on weekends because the locals spread their picnic blankets as if there was no tomorrow. Nevertheless, it is worth a walk over the old groundwall, especially if you enjoy the views of the Maume River, which almost looks like a postcard motif, only without the exaggerated colors.
A short trip down the river leads to Riverfront Park. Here there are more green spaces than in most suburbs, and this is a real blessing for families who want to let their children run while parents try to catch the WLAN signal from the café on the shore. I once discovered a spontaneous street music festival there – a type with a harmonica that had more talent than the entire line-up of the local folk festival. There are parking spaces on the edge, but be warned: Saturday nights parking turns into a small labyrinth because the visitor numbers suddenly explode.
If you have enough of green areas, that is Defiance County Historical Museum the next station. I have to admit I was skeptical because museums in small cities often offer more dust than history. But the museum surprises with a well curated collection of artifacts from the pioneering period, including an original wooden chair, where the first mayor of Defiance was supposed to sit. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that they even offer a glass of water when you get air through the dusty halls after a long tour.
A bit further north Maumee River State Trail, a 30 km long path that is perfect for cyclists and hikers. I explored the trail once at sunrise when the fog was above the water and the sounds of the city were still far away. The path is well-developed, but at the intersections with the country roads you have to pay attention to traffic – a small thrill that makes the experience even more authentic. Bicycles can be rented in most local shops, and parking on the trailhead is usually easy, except for weekends when the families with strollers flood the route.
For those who prefer to experience some culture in a closed space, this is Defiance County Courthouse an architectural jewel. The building from the 1880s impresses with its imposing dome and the artistic stonework. I once observed a trial there – a rare spectacle that was almost as exciting as a crime, only with less dramatic music. Parking behind the courthouse is usually free as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the lawyers leave their cars there.
Another highlight is the Defiance County Fairgrounds. During the annual fair, the site turns into a colorful mess of rides, local crafts stands and a lot of people trying to find the best Corn Dog. I remember an evening that I was standing in a snake for the giant wheel and was suddenly addressed by a former high school friend who now works as a showman. Parking is a real adventure here: The official places fill up quickly, but there are always a few hidden corners along the road when you are ready to run a few meters.
Last but not least, Defiance Marina not missing. I once rented a small boat to explore the Maume River – an experience you shouldn't underestimate, because the water here is surprisingly calm, but the current occasionally becomes a bit shaky. The marina offers enough berths, and the docking is almost child-friendly thanks to friendly staff. A little hint: On hot summer days the restaurant at the dock can be quite crowded, so better to go there early if you want to secure a table.
Whether you climb historic walls, cycle along the river, or enjoy the colorful drifting on the fairgrounds – the surroundings of Hicksville, Hicksville Township and Defiance have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. And that's exactly what makes Hicksville Attractions to a surprisingly varied destination for those who are looking for the authentic, without having to give up completely comfort.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous alleys of Hicksville, where every angle holds a small secret that I would rather not find in any guide.
I start with the Hicksville Historical Museum, which is housed in the old school building from the 1920s – a place where dust is not only a side effect but almost a feature. There are old school books hanging next to yellowed newspaper articles, and last time I almost lost myself in a collection of handwritten diaries of primary school children reporting their first days of school. If you want to sniff a bit of nostalgia, the museum is a must; Parking is almost always a Klacks, unless you arrive on Saturday night after the weekly flea market, then it will be a little adventure.
A short walk leads you to St John the Baptist Catholic Church, a brick church that has survived more than a century. I don't understand the hype about gothic windows, but the light that falls through the colorful stained glass, when the sun is deep in autumn, is really impressive. The pastor makes me taste a piece of apple cake every time I stroll past the fair – no joke, this is almost a tradition.
Go on Hicksville Community Park, a small green piece that has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. There is a baseball court that organizes the local “Hicksville Little League” tournament every year, and a playground called “the only safe zone in the village” by parents. I once made a picnic, while an older gentleman chatted loudly in the background about the “good old times” of the 1970s baseball – that was almost a live podcast.
If you prefer to read something, the Hicksville Public Library That's right. The library is small, but the staff knows every visitor by name and always recommends the book you just don't know you need it. I borrowed the book about the history of Defiance County, just to find out that I have never read it to the end, because I rather experienced the story myself on the streets of the village.
Another highlight I do not want to conceal is the annual Hicksville Harvest Festival. It is not exactly the woodstock of the middle vests, but the mixture of local peasant stalls, a carrot-weeting hall and a live band from the neighborhood creates an atmosphere that you rarely find outside small towns. I once won a pumpkin that was almost as big as my car – and that was the only time I took a price home that I didn't have to give away immediately.
For those looking for a quick overview, here is a small note: If you are looking for Hicksville Attractions googles, you will quickly find that the village has more to offer than most cards show. True magic, however, lies in the conversations with the locals, the random encounters at the kiosk and the quiet sum of the old diesel generators that keep the heart of the place running.
Lastly, Hicksville Community Center mentioned that is not only used for bingo and senior meetings, but also occasionally hosts art exhibitions of local talents. Once there I saw an exhibition of watercolours that represented the Maumee River in rainbow colors – a bit cheesy, but honestly a real eye-catcher.
So, the next time you drive over Ohio and want to taste a piece of real, unsightly village life, then turn the GPS on Hicksville and let yourself be surprised by the small but fine details. I promise you that at the end of the day you will take more stories home than you could find in any guide.
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