Ottoville Putnam Ohio - Top Sights 

• Ottoville Attractions – Monterey Township, Putnam County

Ottoville Attractions – Monterey Township, Putnam County

Travellers from all over the world appreciate Ottoville attractions because of the surprisingly quiet mix of history and rural charm that you hardly find in the guides. I remember driving into the small town for the first time – an old railway platform, a few rusted signs and the quiet ratters of the tractors that surround the fields around Monterey Township. Ottoville was founded in 1855, named after the then postmaster Otto, and has since then kept more or less the same main road, which almost seems to me a little nostalgic, although I must admit that I do not understand the whole “Old-Town-Flair” if it is surrounded by a few modern caravans.

A short detour to the State Route 15, which leads directly through the heart of Putnam County, takes you right into the city, and if you're lucky, you'll catch the weekly peasant market – no joke, that's the true heart of Ottoville. I take the bus from Columbus, who stops every two hours, and enjoy the endless fields that pass by me while I think about why I came here. For me, what is Ottoville's sights is not the museums, but the silent agreement between the people and their surroundings, which you can only feel when you walk the road and respond to the quiet smile of the locals.

Ottoville Sights & Attractions

This guide invites you to stroll through the sleepy heart of Monterey Township, where Ottoville has more charm than a dusty photo album from the 50s. I have to admit, I originally came only because of the legendary water towers – yes, these rusty giants who watch over the main road – and then remained because the village has somehow more personality than one would expect from a place with only 1 200 inhabitants.

The first stop is of course the Ottoville Water Tower. She stands where you can best photograph her from the street, and is the unofficial landmark. I once put myself on the roof ridge with my phone to catch the panorama, and had to find that parking there is almost always a children's game – except on Sundays when the church fills the whole neighborhood with its pastors and suddenly everyone tries to get a better view.

A short walk leads you to Ottoville Historical Museumhoused in a converted classroom of the old school. The exhibition is not just Louvre material, but the old school books, an original wood stove and a few yellowed photos from the 1920s give you the feeling that history was really lived here. I don't understand the hype about high-tech muses, but here you can feel the heart of the community – and that's unpaid for me.

If you're looking for a place where you can catch some fresh air without running right into the next forest, then the Ottoville Community Park That's right. The playground is not exactly an architectural miracle, but the children laugh louder than in every big city, and the baseball fields are always well maintained – as long as You do not ask for the local team on Friday night, which then suddenly takes the entire field for a barbecue.

A few steps further Ottoville Public Library, a small but fine building that houses more than just books. Once there I found a local history project that was compiled by a retired teacher – a real treasure for anyone interested in the micro stories of the Middle West. The WLAN is surprisingly stable, so you can also post your Instagram story here via the “rustic library” without the image becoming constantly pixelated.

A must for everyone who wants to breathe the real Small-Town feeling is St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The brick building from the early 20. The century has an impressive bell game, which halls through the village on Sunday at 10 a.m. I once opened the door to enjoy the silence and was greeted by a group of seniors who just finished their weekly bingo round. This is the true “Ottoville Sights” experience: not excessive tourist attractions, but real people who live here.

For those who like to take a bit of local flair, a trip to Ottoville Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm in the parking lot of the Community Center. Fresh strawberries, self-made jams and a stand with handmade candles – this is what I mean when I say that food still comes from real hands. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't have the chance to get right at the moment, then this will be a little adventure.

A short trip down the main road leads you to a few local shops that I love: Miller’s Feed & Farm Supply for everything you need for a hobby garden project, and the small café “The Corner”, which serves the best coffee in the area – strong enough to refresh a tired traveler, but not so hip that you feel like living in an Instagram filter.

To finish, before I get back to my car and plan the return trip to Columbus, I still have to Ottoville Fall Festival mention. It is not a huge music festival, but rather a cozy day with a flea market, a small carousel and a competition for the best pumpkin cake. Last year, I won the price for the “badest” cake – a real comfort price, which, however, made me smile in the face, because the villagers are really welcome everyone here, no matter how bad the pastry is.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Ottoville, Ohio

A short detour from Ottoville leads you directly to Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta – yes, exactly where the first man was born on the moon. I rediscovered my childhood dreams of rockets while I was standing between original suits and a slightly shaky moon landing replica. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't arrive on Saturday morning after the weekly market; then the field behind the museum turns into a Mini-Stau paradise. The entrance is free, but the café serves the best coffee in the area, and this is not a joke.

Just a couple of miles away Putnam County Historical Society Museum in Ottawa. I don't quite understand the hype about dusty barns, but here the story of Putnam County is presented with such a passion that you almost forget that you are in an old school building. The exhibition on the railways, which once formed the backbone of the region, has fascinated me particularly – I even tried an old ticket system that was more crumbling than an old chewing gum. Parking is a bit narrower here, but a short walk through the quiet main road resembles it again.

If you want a little culture, you should Kalida Opera House do not miss. This small but fine theater from 1880 has more charm than a whole district of Broadway. I was there by chance because a friend persuaded me to a local opera performance – and I must admit that the twilight of the old curtains has something magical. The city of Kalida itself is a perfect example of how a place with less than 1,000 inhabitants can still offer a heartbeat experience. Parking is available at the town hall, but be ready to walk a few meters; that is part of the adventure.

For nature lovers there is Auglaize River State Wildlife Area – a true paradise for birdwatchers and hikers. I once discovered a red cardinal that was brave enough to land right in front of me while I tried to shoot a photo that didn't look like a pixelated meme. Access is simple: a small gravel path leads to a viewpoint from which the river is overlooked. Parking is at the edge of the entrance area, but most visitors leave their car there because the trails are so tempting.

A little history, a little nature and a touch of adventure – this is the recipe that Miami and Erie Canal Towpath near Putnam makes a underestimated jewel. I spent an afternoon following the old canal, learning more about the early transport routes in the region than I had ever found in a school book. The path is well developed, and parking at the main entrance is usually free, except for the hot summer days when families with picnic blankets flood the field.

Another highlight is the Putnam County Fairgrounds in Ottawa, which hosts various events all year round – from cattle shows to local crafts markets. I first saw a real tractor there that made more noise than a city traffic, and that was kind of soothing. The parking spaces are huge, so no stress, but if you are there on a Saturday evening with the annual fair, you should come early, otherwise you fight for a free space between the food trucks.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking for history, nature or a small shot of space romanticism, the Ottoville environment offers more than enough reasons to leave everyday life behind you. The places mentioned show that the region is full of surprises despite its impressive size – and all this is just a cat jump from the Ottoville Attractions removed.