Travellers from all over the world appreciate Goshen sights due to the surprisingly quiet mix of historical depth and rural charm that you rarely find in Ohio. The first time I lost myself here, because I thought a short detour of Cincinnati was a good way to escape the city noise – and I was not quite wrong. The village was founded in 1815 when pioneers from Pennsylvania colonized the fertile valley of the Little Miami River; the name “Goshen” comes from the Bible and means “land of fertility”, which remains somehow tangible here to this day. The township, which spans about 30 square miles, is part of the historic Clermont County, which originated in 1800 from the old Hamilton County and is one of the oldest administrative areas in the state.
If you drive over the country roads, you can immediately realize that the area is equally marked by old barns and modern farms – an image that I like to label with an eye-catcher as a “timeless Ohio-Idylle”. The arrival is easy: The I‐275 encircles Cincinnati, and a short branch to the State Route 32 brings you directly to the heart of Goshen. There are a few nice cafés where you can sense the history of the place in a freshly brewed coffee, and a small but fine field that is sown in the summer of sunflowers – no joke, that is almost a local insider spot.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the gentle hills and the well-preserved half-timbered houses, one finds an authenticity that one rarely reads in the usual guides. And yes, when speaking of “Goshen Sights”, you mean not only the historical buildings, but the whole feeling of life that pulsates here – a mix of pride, serenity and a touch of light cynicism that I personally appreciate.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was East Fork State Park, a huge green piece that stretches like an unground diamond over the hills of Clermont. I made a picnic on the banks of the East Fork Reservoir there on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon, while a few unshakable ducks wanted to steal the sandwiches courageously – a real nature spectacle you don't miss when you explore the area. Parking is almost always a children's game, except when the weather suddenly calls “summer festival” and suddenly everyone shows up with a grill and a folding chair.
A short trip after Stonelick State Park brought me to one of the few places where the water is actually clear enough to see the fish that are sluggish around the underwater plants. I remember how I almost lost the balance when fishing because a particularly curious beaver wanted to “borrow” my fishing rod – a moment I will never forget, because it embodies the perfect mix of calm and chaos that makes this region.
If you have enough of water, the path continues to Clifton Mill, a historic mill that has been grinding the grain of the area for over 150 years. I met an old friend there who claims he could hear the sound of the millstones better than ringing his phone – a bit cheesy, but somehow also charming. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the terrain around the mill is not exactly designed for mass traffic, but a short walk from the main road is enough.
A little further south, Cincinnati Nature Center, which is technically in Milford, but is an absolute must for everyone who is on the goshen. I have the Forest Glen Trail explored and stumbled over a crashed tree trunk “Tor” that turned out to be a perfect photo pot – I shot a picture there that now hangs in my living room and reminds me every time that nature is still a bit wilder than you would expect from a suburb.
A short trip to the city of Batavia brought me to Clermont County Historical Society Museum. There are old maps that show how the area was once covered by small farms and countless horse cars. I visited an old carriage there and asked myself why the people at that time have travelled so long to come to the market – a bit romantic, a bit absurd, but definitely a look into the past that brings today's Goshen into a new light.
For those who prefer to travel on wheels, Little Miami Scenic Trail a real secret tip. I drove the trail along a sunny autumn morning, while the leaves were lit in all conceivable red tones. The trail is well signposted, parking at the entrance points is usually easy, and the best: you can stop at any time along one of the small cafés along the river and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee while letting the view over the quiet water.
Whether you are looking for a quiet lake, a historical mill, a museum full of dust or an endless cycle path – the surroundings of Goshen have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The mix of nature, history and a bit of local nature makes every discovery a small adventure. So the next time Goshen Attractions thinks that not only the city itself, but above all the surrounding area should keep in mind – there is the true heart of Clermont County.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous but self-willing goshen – yes, just the small village you would easily overlook if you did not accidentally miss Highway 125.
I always start with the Goshen Methodist Churchbecause it is the heart of the place and at the same time the best example of why I do not overstret the term “historical charm”. The brick building from the 1840s stands where a barnyard was in the past, and the crumbling wooden benches still smell like old pine resin. During the last Sunday visit, the pastor kindly pointed out that the organ play is still waiting by hand – a detail I rarely see in modern church music. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Sunday in May, when the village festival blocks the road and you are forced to park a few blocks further and walk the way.
A short walk further (approximately five minutes if you do not stop constantly to take photos) leads to Goshen School, a restored one-room class room from the late 19. Century, which today serves as a community centre. I took part in a workshop for local craftsmen; the walls are covered with old class lists, and the light falls through the original window shutters that still crawl when you open them. I don't quite understand the hype about “old school buildings”, but the atmosphere here is really great for a bit of Nostalgie-Trip.
If you have enough of history, that is Goshen Cemetery the next destination – not because I am a fan of cemeteries, but because the tombstones here tell stories that you find in no guide. I once met the descendants of one of the founding families who told me that his great-grandfather brought the first horse span over the Ohio River. This is what I understand under “Goshen Sights”: real people, real stories, no Instagram filter.
A bit further south lies the Goshen Community Park. The park is small, but it has a playground, a picnic pavilion and a small pond where ducks roam. I organized an improvised barbecue festival there in the summer with some locals; the highlight was a homemade apple cake that tasted better than anything I've ever eaten in the big cities. The park management is not exactly a tourism magnet, but that makes the charm – there are no crowded paths, just a few families that run their dogs.
A little off the center, but still a must for anyone who wants to experience the real Goshen is the old Goshen General Store. The building is a relic from the 1920s, today a cozy café with handmade muffins and a coffee machine that cracks more than an old tractor. I caught the owner there, as he ran through an old photo album and told me about the “good old times” when the village was still a horse car. No joke, the conversation was so authentic that I almost felt like sitting in another era.
For those who want a bit of movement, a detour to Little Miami Scenic Trail, which runs just a few kilometers along the border of Goshen Township. The trail is well developed and I turned a round there on a sunny afternoon while I watched the fields and forests surrounding the village. The way is not overrun, and this makes him a perfect little escape from everyday life.
Last but not least, I have to Goshen Fall Festival mentioning that takes place every October weekend. It is a colorful mess of local craftsmen, live music and a competition for the best pumpkin cakes. Last year, I won the prize for the “hotest apple wine” – a small victory that remains in my memory for a long time because it shows that even in an inconspicuous place like Goshen a bit of ambition and humour should not be missing.
So, next time you go through Clermont County and feel like you want to discover something off the beaten paths, think of Goshen. It's not what you find in travel magazines, but that's exactly what makes the stimulus – a place where history, community and a bit of unique charm come together without having to spend a fortune for it.
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