On the first steps through Harrod you can immediately feel that the story is not only in dusty history books, but in every cracking wooden beam of the old barn on the edge of the village. Founded in 1850 by the ambitious pioneer John Harrod, the small village grew thanks to the fertile soils of the Auglaize Township and the proximity to the railway line, which once formed the backbone of the local economy. I have to admit, I don't understand the whole hype about the “rustic” farm houses, but the crunching sound of the windmill on County Road 12 has something soothing that you rarely find in the big cities.
When you arrive by car over the State Route 65, you will be greeted by the wide fields that extend up to the horizon – a perfect foretaste of what the locals call “unfaith Ohio landscape”. The local bus of Lima lasts only twice a day, so plan your arrival better, otherwise you sit at the platform and hear the remote mowing of the cows. I have often wondered why most visitors googling for “Harrod Sights” and then move on immediately; there is more to discover in this tiny spot of land than you suspect at first glance.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Harrod, 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 I put to every new man's heart is that Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta – yes, exactly where the man was born from the moon. The building looks like an oversized room suit, and the exhibition is a bit cheesy, but this is just what makes the charm. I spent more time with the old room suits than I want to admit, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then that's a real patience game.
A short detour to the south leads you to the Auglaize County Historical Society Museum, also in Wapakoneta. There are piles of old land machines, photos of horse cars and a bunch of dusty documents that almost make you believe you have landed in another time. I don't quite understand the hype around the “interactive” displays – I have more fun to test the cracking chairs than tap the touchscreens. The entrance is free, and the small café next door serves the best homemade apple cake I haven't eaten since my childhood.
If you have enough of metal and history, take a look at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark – a true natural wonder that extends over several square kilometers and houses more than 350 plant species. I spent a few hours walking over the moss-covered hills, while a curious fox watched me from a safe distance. The parking lot is a bit remote, but this is part of the adventure; you have to sneak a few meters through a field before you see the real splendor.
A bit further east is the Auglaize River State Wildlife Area. There are no loud numbers of visitors here, only the quiet strollers of the river and the occasional quakes of frogs. I made a small picnic there, while an older gentleman pushed past the kayaking and gave me a friendly pitch – this is the kind of encounters that you never have in crowded tourist centers. Entering is free, and parking is a simple gravel path that offers enough space for a few cars.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, Wapakoneta Riverfront Trail A must. The path stretches along the Auglaize River and offers breathtaking views that are best experienced at sunset – the light lets the water appear like liquid gold. I packed out my running shoes and ran almost all the way, just to see that the real highlight was the small café at the end of the trail, which served surprisingly good espresso.
A short jump to St. Marys brings you to St. Mary's Riverfront Park. The park is a popular meeting place for families, but I used it rather as a quiet oasis to read a book while children played in the background with their water pistols. The access is barrier-free, and parking is directly on the river, so you can immediately hear the water's whip as soon as you get out of the car.
Whether you're a space fan, a nature lover or just someone looking for a quiet place to shut down – the environment of Harrod has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. The mix of historical museums, untouched nature and small, charming parks makes the region an underestimated jewel in the heart of Ohio. So the next time he thinks where to spend his time, the Harrod Attractions do not forget.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot in the heart of Auglaize County – Harrod, Ohio. I have to admit, I was never the guy who stops in tiny villages, but this has somehow tied me up, and that's what I want.
For me, the Harrod Community Park. At first glance, it looks like the usual field with a few benches, but if you graze a bit deeper, you will discover a small lake that is populated by ducks in the summer, and a playground that has more colour than some amusement park. Parking is usually a children's game – a free space right on the main road is enough as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then this will be a real patience game. I still remember how I suddenly landed in a labyrinth of narrow paths and almost missed the way back to the parking clock the other day – a real adrenalinkick, considering that this is the “big adventure” of the village.
A short walk further Harrod Public Library, an inconspicuous brick box, which however beats the heart of the municipality. The shelves are filled with local history books, which you can only find in dusty archives, and the staff knows every visitor by name – no joke, I was greeted with “Welcome back, Herr Müller” at the first visit, although I was here only for a day. If you are looking for a quiet place to read, this is the perfect address; Wi-Fi is stable, and parking is right outside the door, which is a small bonus for me.
If you are interested in architecture, you should Harrod United Methodist Church visit. The building dates from the 1880s and has a simple but elegant church window that dips the morning light into a warm gold. I once experienced a small concert there – a local choir that had more passion than sample time. The acoustics is amazing, and the nave almost looks like a silent witness of the time, while the church outside at the Sunday roast discusses the latest village rumor.
Another highlight that I personally do not want to miss is that Harrod Community Center. The small but fine Harrod Historical Museum is located in a former school building. The exhibition is not a 24 hour show, but the old school benches, an original wood stove and a few yellowed photos from the 1920s give you the feeling as if you were to browse through a lively history book. The Center is also a popular place for local events – from bingo to art exhibitions curated by hobby artists from the surrounding area.
One might think that this is all Harrod has to offer, but the old grain silo on the railway line is an underestimated photo motif. The massive, rusty building reminiscent of the place's agricultural past and offers an interesting contrast to the modern houses. I once made a picnic while a tractor passed and made the discs of the silos glisten in the sunlight – a picture I don't forget so quickly.
A little away from the usual paths lies the Harrod Volunteer Fire Department, which acts not only in emergency, but also as a small museum. There is a restored red fire truck from the 1950s, which the city proudly presents. If you are lucky, you can even make a short walk behind the scenes and see how the old hose reels are still in the basement. Parking is a bit more tricky here, because the terrain is only accessible via a narrow entrance, but this is part of the charm.
And finally, if you are lucky to be in Harrod in September, you may Harrod Harvest Festival do not miss. It is not a huge folk festival, but the combination of local peasant stalls, self-made apple cake and a parade of tractors that hit through the main road has something authentic that one rarely finds in the big cities. I once tried a piece of corn bread there, which was so dry that I almost flushed the water out of my mouth – a real proof that not everything is gold that shines.
If you now think Harrod is just another slept village, then you have the Harrod Attractions not yet properly experienced. Each of these places has its own history, and together they create an image that is both simple and surprisingly multi-layered. So, grab your car, let the GPS stand on adventure and enjoy the little wonders that this village has to offer.
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