What makes Cecil sights so special is the silent story that lies between the fields of Crane Township in Paulding County. On the first steps through the tiny village you can immediately feel that more than just corn and asphalt can be found here – a relic from the time when the railway formed the backbone of the Middle West. Founded in the 1850s, the place bears the name of a railway engineer who brought the route here, and this is still traced to the old rail remains that lie in the field like gear wheels of a long past machine.
I like to drive over the State Route 2, a short trip from the I‐75, and then stop at a small diner that has more charm than any hipster chain. If you're on the bike, you get the extra dust-kick, which you only get in an area where the grass is even higher than the houses. People here are friendly but not exaggerated – a short chat about the weather is enough to taste the real Ohio.
A walk on the edge of the nearby Paulding County Park shows why the locals love the open country: wide view, a few old trees and the quiet sum of the barbecues. And yes, I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here, between corn fields and the occasional tractor, I find a rest that you rarely find in the tourist magazines. So if you're looking for an authentic piece of Ohio, you shouldn't overlook Cecil – there's more to discover than you would suspect at first sight.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Paulding County Historical Museum, an inconspicuous brick building hidden in the heart of Paulding – about ten minutes drive from Cecil when you take Highway 2 and then follow a few narrow country roads. I discovered an old tractor display there that immediately reminded me of the dusty fields of my childhood; the museum manages to present history in such a way that you feel like wearing a piece of dust on your shoulders. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come to the annual exhibition on Saturday night – then the small parking lot becomes a battlefield quickly.
A short trip to the Paulding County Courthouse, an imposing neoclassical building dating back to 1890, makes the heart of every fan of architecture nostalgia beat faster. I stood there, while a trial of a contested chicken and egg problem was held – a real spectacle that spiced local politics with a pinch of comedy. The courtyard is surrounded by a small but fine sculpture collection, and parking right in front of the building is almost always free thanks to the wide street except when the county meeting is in full swing.
Looking for something more than dusty halls in the summer, the path inevitably leads to the Paulding County Fairgrounds. This is where the Paulding County Fair takes place every year, a festival that offers more sugar cane than a sense of order. I remember an evening that I found myself in a snake for the famous “Corn Dog-Duell”, while a local band leader tried to inspire the audience with a mix of country and polka-like sounds. The approach is uncomplicated: the main road leads directly to the terrain, and parking is generous as long as you do not have the chance to be there on the day of the big tractor parade event – then the field quickly becomes a parking microcosm.
A little further, about 30 miles southeast, lies the Maumee River State Park, a true jewel for nature lovers who appreciate not only the river but also the surrounding hiking trails. I spent an afternoon stabbing over the wooden bridge, while the water went quietly and a few ducks passed by me unimpressed. The park offers primitive campsites that can be used according to the motto “bring your fire ownwood”, and parking is free at the main entrances – a rare luxury in this area.
Just half an hour further north, near Defiance, the Defiance Reservoir extends, a popular spot for anglers and boaters. I once experienced a huge rush adventure that almost pulled me into the water because I confused the boat and suddenly stood in the middle of the lake. Access to the reservoir is well signposted, and the small visitor centre offers enough parking, although the places are quickly occupied on hot summer days.
A little off the well-known trails, but still worth a visit, is the Wabash River Heritage Trail, which runs along the river and provides historical signs over the old trade route. I explored the trail at sunrise when the fog was above the water and the silence was almost tangible. The trail is well maintained and parking at the entrance points is usually easy – a short walk leads to a small viewpoint from which you can overlook the water and the surrounding landscape.
Back in the city, but not in the center, you will find the small but fine murals that decorate the cityscape of Paulding. These artworks tell stories about local legends, from the first railway to the modern farmers who cultivate the land. I once fell in love with an image showing an old tractor next to a futuristic robot – an ironic indication of how much the region embraces its past while looking forward. The best photos are at the intersections, where the light brings the colors to light, and parking is a children's game thanks to the wide streets.
Those who want to experience the authentic flair of Cecil and its surroundings should not only confine themselves to the small streets of the city. The Cecil Attractions offer a mixture of history, nature and local nature, which brings even the most incubated travellers to sneak – all without crowded tourist crowds.
Already at the first glance of the inconspicuous sign “Welcome to Cecil” it becomes clear why I have a slight sneak in my face every time I arrive here – this is not a tourist magnet, but a small piece of Ohio, which secretly presses on the nose and still has something to tell.
My personal favorite spot is the Cecil Methodist Church. The red brick dome protrudes from the flat landscape like a lost pathfinder, and the interior is a mix of dusty benches and surprisingly clear acoustics – perfect if you want to hear honestly a bit of gospel without the neighbors condemning you for it. I experienced a spontaneous piano game there once on a Sunday morning, because the organist fell out; that was really great, and the whole village seemed to hold together for a moment before I sat back in my car and looked for the way back over the field paths.
A short walk leads you to Cecil Community Park. The park is small, but it has an old playground that has more rust than color – a perfect place to observe how the local kids build their own obstacle course. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the annual barbecue is taking place and everyone tries to get a place next to the big, cracking pavilion.
If you want to sniff a bit of history, make a detour Cecil Schoolhouse, a restored building from the 1920s, which now serves as a small museum. I found an old board where there were still chalk drawings of students from the 1950s – a bit cheesy, but somehow fascinating, how much things have changed, while the roof still has the same squeaking bars.
Another must among Cecil attractions is that Cecil Grain Elevator on the edge of the village. The silver tower is a relic from the time when the grain here was the true gold. I once met a local peasant who told me that the device is still in operation, although most fields have now turned to corn and soy. This was a short but educational moment that showed me that tradition is not just a word here, but a working part of everyday life.
For those who like to find some rest, there is the Cecil Cemetery. Yeah, a cemetery doesn't sound like a holiday destination, but the old tombstones tell stories you don't find in any guide. I discovered a stone inscription that comes from a veteran from the First World War – a silent witness that reminds you that even the smallest places have their own heroes.
A short detour to Cecil Fire Department is worthwhile if you are interested in the real “small-bourgeois” life. The volunteers here are a bunch of characters who spend more time polishing their old fire trucks than actually extinguishing fires – at least in my experience. I once drank a coffee with the head of the station, and he told me that every year they are organising a “Firefighter’s BBQ” where the food is better than what one gets in most urban restaurants.
To finish, before I go home again, I recommend a short stop at Cecil Post Office. The small building with the yellow sign is a perfect place to buy a few local postcards – yes, there are still – and to guide a little small talk with the locals who tell you that life here is slow, but even more real for that.
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