What makes Bellefontaine so special is the self-contained mix of historical hard-pacedness and rural serenity that you can feel right away when crossing the old railway bridge over the St. Marys River. I have always wondered why this city gets so little media attention in the heart of Logan County and surrounded by the inconspicuous Lake Township – perhaps because it prefers to rely on its own, slightly dusty stories.
The foundation goes back to early 19. Century, as pioneers from Pennsylvania and Ohio colonized the country to escape the rough life in the west. Today you can still read the traces of this time when strolling through the main road: old brick buildings whose facades tell more stories than any guide. I have to admit, the charm lies not only in the exterior, but also in the small but fine local gesindel, which likes to complain about the weather while serving the best pancakes in the region.
A short trip to Lake Township is practical because the country roads are well signposted and you can get off the I‐70 without much effort – a real plus point for spontaneous road trips. And yes, if you are already here, you should see the “Bellefontaine Sights” not only as points on a map, but as a living chapter of a story that still writes.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to Campbell Hill, the highest point Ohio’s, which rises just a few minutes drive from Bellefontaine. The ascent is not a marathon, but the panorama over the endless fields of the Middle West makes you forget that you climb a bit of hill. I once made a picnic with a friend who said it was “the perfect place to deduse the soul”, while a passing tractor broke the idyll loudly – a real Ohio model.
A short detour to the south brings me to Zane Shawnee Caverns. These dripstone caves are a bit like a natural escape room, only that the puzzles consist of limestone and stalactites. I remember how I was suddenly surprised by an echo that my loud “Hey, that’s cool!” – that was probably the only time I had the feeling that the cave would talk to me. Parking is usually a Klacks, except for the weekends in the summer when the families with strollers block the entrance.
If you are looking for an adrenalinkick in winter, the path inevitably leads to Mad River Mountain. The ski area is not exactly aspen, but for a place that otherwise only lives from corn fields and tractors, this is a real knaller. I once tried to “shredden” the slope there, just to see that my skis slipped on ice like pencils. Nevertheless, the view from the summit over the snowy valley is an image that you do not forget – and the staff there is so friendly that they even offer a hot cocoa if you do not have enough courage after the third fall.
A little further east lies the Lake Logan State Park, a lake that has more to offer than just fishing and boating. I rented a kayak there and I paddled over the calm water surface, while a swarm duck defended her territory loudly. The park is well signposted, and the visitor centre has a small café that serves surprisingly good apple cake – a real comfort when you return to land after a failed attempt to catch a fish.
For history lovers who are not only interested in stone and water, there is Logan County Historical Museum. The museum is a collection of relics of the region: old agricultural machinery, photos of horse cars and a curious exhibit – an original 19-year-old tractor that still runs “, at least in the memory of the locals. I made a tour there with a former teacher who knew more anecdotes about the villagers than a whole book about the history of the state.
Another piece of local culture can be found on Logan County Fairgroundswhere the County Fair takes place every year in August. The atmosphere is a mix of sugar cane, rumble and a pinch of rusticity, which you can only see in old Western films. I took part in a chicken run there – a competition where chickens run over an obstacle course, and the audience cheers as if it were a Formula-1 race. Parking is a real adventure on the day of the fair, but this is part of the charm.
Whether the height of Campbell Hill the dark passages of the Zane Shawnee Caverns explore the snow Mad River Mountain to force the peace Lake Logan State Park in the past Logan County Historical Museum or the colorful driving on the Logan County Fairgrounds The surroundings of Bellefontaine offer a colourful range of experiences that go far beyond the city centre. These Bellefontaine Attractions show that the heart of the Middle West consists not only of fields, but of stories, nature and a good portion of peculiarity.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Bellefontaine – yes, exactly the town you could almost overlook on the map because it lies between endless fields and a few old barns.
I always start with Campbell Hill, the highest point Ohio’s. Whoever stands here suddenly feels like a king over the flat preriens, and not just because a huge funk mast nebulizes the panorama a little. The ascent is a walk, the parking is on the edge, but woe, you want to make a picnic on Saturday night – then you fight with a horde families that occupy the whole field. Nevertheless, the feeling of standing above 1,550 feet above sea level is really great, especially when the sun goes down over the fields.
A short trip to the city centre leads you to Campbell House Museum. The old mansion from the 19th century Century is a bit like a time capsule filled by an over-ambited historian. I once met a leader who told me that the house once belonged to a local merchant who allegedly imported the first horse into Ohio – a rumor that I don't quite believe, but the original furniture and the cracking stairs are definitely a highlight. Parking is a children's game because the museum is located in a side street, where the cars rarely stand.
If you have enough of dusty furniture, look at this St. Joseph Catholic Church on. The gothic facade is a real eye-catcher, and the interior has an organ game that almost lets you forget that you are in Ohio. I remember hearing a little concert once during a Sunday fair – no joke, the community has a choir that sounds better than some pop star. The entrance is of course free, and parking is right in front of the church, as long as you don't come to the main time of God, then it will be a bit tight.
A little further out there Lake Township Park. Here there is a small lake, a few hiking trails and a barbecue area that is used more by locals than by tourists. I once made a picnic with a few neighbors who told me that parking on weekends is almost impossible because the local football team occupied the field. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a little rest and don't pretend to see a football match, it's a perfect place to let the soul dangle.
For those who want a little more history, there is Bellefontaine Historical Museumhoused in the old train depot. The museum is small, but the exhibitions on the railway history of the region are surprisingly well done. I found an old roadmap there that shows that the train went to Chicago earlier – a detail that always amazes me because I never thought Bellefontaine was so well connected. Parking is right next to the depot, but be warned: on Saturdays there is a flea market, and this can slightly overlay the museum experience.
A short detour from the city leads you to the Zane Shawnee Caverns. Yeah, that's a little outside, but the caves are a real natural wonder you shouldn't miss. The tour is informative, and the stalactites look as if they were posing extra for Instagram. I once experienced a small family trip where a child suddenly shouted loudly "Ghost!" because a drop fell from the roof – that was the highlight of the day. Parking is free at the entrance, but this can be done quickly on hot summer days.
I would like to finish Bellefontaine City Hall mention a building from the 1880s, which is located on the National Register. The façade is a prime example of Victorian architecture, and the interior houses the town hall, which sometimes looks surprisingly modern because local art projects are exhibited there. I once saw an exhibition about local artists that impressed me more than any great gallery in Columbus. Parking is always a bit tricky here because the town hall is located in the middle of the city center, but a small side strip is usually enough.
So next time you ask about Ohio and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Bellefontaine – yes, you should. The Bellefontaine Attractions offer enough variety to surprise even the most brewed travelers, and all this with a portion of local peculiarity that you will find only in small, slightly cynical guides.
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