What makes Belle Center sights so special is the unique mix of historical silence and slightly slanted charm, which surprises me every time I slip along the old main road. I remember the founding period of 1850 when the railway made the small village in Richland Township a hub for cereals and tractors – a bit dusty, but with honest ambition. Today you almost always drive by car over the State Route 47, but a rare bus from Logan stops here if you prefer to turn off the engine.
A short trip to the old town hall, which is still the original brick building from the 1880s, makes me think about time: The city has never sought the splendour of large metropolises, and this is its greatest attraction. I don't quite understand the hype about hip urbanity, but here, between the fields of Logan County, you can feel the real heartbeat tempo of the Middle West. People here are friendly but not exaggerated – a short chat at the petrol station is enough to grasp the true being.
So, if you drive over Ohio the next time, don't let the card dazzle; Just follow the signs to Belle Center and discover yourself why the Belle Center sights are more than just a name on a guide.
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The first stop I could not miss was the legendary Zanesville Y-Bridgethat like a trident fish over the Muskingum River. I have taken some photos there that say more about my lack of photography than about the building itself, but that is not the main thing – the bridge design is a real pride of the region, and the noise of the cars moaning over the two levels has something almost hypnotic calming. Parking is best on the small car park at the end of Main Street, but on Saturday afternoons it can quickly become a small mess because the tourist flows from the surrounding small towns flow together.
A short trip from the bridge leads directly to Zanesville Museum of Art. I have to admit that I cannot always fully understand the hype about small city museums, but there are actually a few surprisingly well-cured exhibitions, from regional artists to occasional lenders from larger institutions. The ticket costs nothing, and the café in the back of the building serves the best coffee I had since my last trip to Seattle – no joke, that's really strong.
If you have enough of art, a walk along the road Zanesville Riverfront Parks. The river is wide and cozy here, and the paths are well maintained so that you can easily turn a round even by bike. I did a picnic there while a few families fed ducks with their children – an image that is almost too cheesy for my ironic ader, but honestly, it was fun. The parking spaces are directly on the river, and the sign “Free Parking” is unfortunately only a relic from the 90s; today you have to bring some patience, especially if the weather is good.
A couple of miles further Zanesville State Forest, a true paradise for hikers who want to escape the urban hustle and bustle. I tried one of the marked paths that leads through dense jaws and small streams – that is what I understand under “pure nature”. There is no entrance fee, and parking is free at the main entrance, as long as you do not come to the high season, then it can be a bit fuller at the weekends. A little hint: the cell phone reception is more sporadic here, so better print the card before you start.
Back to the city of Logan the path leads to the imposing Logan County Courthouse. The building is a parade example of Greek-Revivalist architecture, and the massive dome lets every visitor stay short – at least if you are not being held by a court date. I made a tour there with a very enthusiastic historian who knew more about the construction history than I had about my own family history. Parking is best in the small public car park behind the town hall, but on court days it can quickly get full because the lawyers put their cars there.
A short trip to Bellefontaine brings you Logan County Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but the collection of artifacts from the pioneering period is surprisingly well preserved. I found an old diary that dates from an early settler from the 1830s – a real find that made me think about the hard work of the early inhabitants for hours. Parking is right in front of the museum, and the sign “Free Parking” actually works here.
Last but not least it is worth a trip to Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath in Zanesville. The old canal trail is today a popular cycling and hiking trail that stretches through picturesque landscapes. I took a cozy bike tour there while I thought about the history of the canal, which once formed the backbone of trade in the Middle West. Access is free, and parking at the starting point is usually easy as long as you don't get to the high season.
So, Belle Center Sights searches, will quickly realize that the environment has more to offer than the tranquil little town itself – from historical bridges to art museums to woody paths that will unleash every easily cynical traveler a smile.
This guide invites you to look a little behind the simple facade of Belle Center, because there is more to discover than you would suspect at first glance.
I always start with Belle Center Historical Society Museum an – a tiny building that used to be a primary school and is now full of dusty artefacts from the founding period. Honestly, that's not a must for everyone, but if you're interested in the history of Richland Township, this is the heartpiece. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a pioneer from the 1850s; that gave me the feeling of standing in the middle of the dust of the past, while the children heard from the outside only the squeaking chalk sound of the old classroom. Parking is usually easy, except Saturdays when the museum is overcrowded for a local class meeting.
A short walk leads you to Belle Center Water Tower, the striking, red and white striped monument that can be seen from almost everywhere in the village. I don't quite understand the hype about such water towers – they are just huge metal containers – but the panoramic view from the top deck that looks over the fields of Logan County is really great. If you're lucky, you'll catch a sunset that's dipping the whole country into a warm gold. The access is free, and a small parking lot behind the town hall offers space for a few cars.
For a little green and fresh air I recommend the Belle Center Community Park. There is a baseball court, a playground and a small amphitheater that is used for local concerts in summer. I once made a picnic with friends, while a high school team played a hot game – the sound of the cheerful crowd was almost as loud as the circle of children on the climbing scaffold. The park area is open 24 hours a day and parking is possible directly at the entrance as long as you are not there on weekends with the annual summer festival.
Another highlight I cannot overlook is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The brick church from the early 20. Century has an impressive but not exaggerated interior, decorated by artistic stained glass windows. I took part in a Sunday Mass and was surprised at the warmth of the community – a real contrast to the more reluctant villagers you meet. The Kirchhof is open to visitors, and the small car park next to the entrance area is usually empty, unless there is a festival.
If you want a bit of local flair, stroll the Main Street along and keep Belle Center Deli on. The Deli is famous for its homemade pancakes and the “Old-Timer” coffee, which is supposedly stronger than that in every big city. I once tried a “Bacon-Explosion-Burger” there – no joke, the thing was a culinary adventure. The seats in the interior are small but cozy, and the parking is directly behind the deli on a small but sufficiently large surface.
A little away from the center lies Fire Department Museum, a small but fine museum that exhibits old fire trucks and equipment. I was there on a rainy afternoon and wondered why someone spends so much time admiring old hose reels – until I heard the story of the voluntary fire brigade in Belle Center, which has been protecting the village from fires for over 100 years. The museum is free, and parking is right outside the door where a few old fire trucks serve as decoration.
I would like to finish Belle Center Sights in a sentence: They are small, sometimes somewhat inconspicuous, but each piece has its own charm, and when you visit them with an open mind, you will discover a village that has more personality than you would expect from a place with less than 1,000 inhabitants.
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