Lake Lakengren's attractions are for me less a marketing gag than a silent promise to those who have enough of loud tourist trams. Honestly, the small reservoir in Gasper Township, Preble County, created by the 1970s, is not exactly what you find in guidebooks with bold letters – and that's what makes the appeal. The church was built from a vision of land developers who wanted to create an “idyllic for families” here; the water was artificially created, the surrounding land was transformed into exclusive residential settlements. I don't quite understand the hype around the big lakes in the north, but the quiet pavement here is really great if you look for a short trip from I‐70 and US‐127.
I usually drive over the road 73, which leads directly to the lake – a short trip from the highway, and already you have the sign “Lake Lakengren” in the back mirror. If you prefer to travel by train, get off in Eaton and take a taxi; the ride takes hardly ten minutes, and this is enough time to enjoy the first sun rays above the water.
A walk on the shore is the highlight for me: no overcrowded promenades, just a few boats that squeak comfortably, and the opportunity to think a bit about life in a small Ohio town. And yes, if you're wondering if there's anything to see here – Lake Lake Lakengre's sights are just what you need to escape everyday life without flying to Florida.
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Here's how it works:
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 Lake Lakengren, 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 of my little Odyssey was Preble County Historical Museum in Eaton – a place where the history of Preble almost whispers too loud to listen to them. I found an old farmer's handbook there that had more dust than content, but that was just what attracted me. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on the first Saturday a month, then the field behind the museum becomes a battlefield for cars. I talked to an old veteran who told me that the first inhabitants of the county had more cows than people – a fact that I will never forget.
A short descent over the road leads to Fort St. Clair State Memoriala small memorial that reminds more of a lost picnic field than a military bollwork. Nevertheless, the terrain has a certain charm, especially when the sun breaks through the trees and the old cannon tube glistens in the light. I made a picnic with a friend who insisted that we enjoy the “historical” food – a few sandwiches and lemonades – while we enjoy the “big battles” of the 18th century. philosophizing. Parking? Right next to the visitor center, but only a few places, so better get early.
A little further south, Hueston Woods State Park with the notorious Lake Snowden. There are more water activities here than in any other lake around Preble, and this is no joke. I tried for the first time in kayaking and almost lost the balance, because a curious duck family was too fouling me. The park offers well-signed hiking trails, and the visitor center has toilets that are actually clean – a rare gift in rural parks. If you want to camp there in the summer, you should know that the pitches are quickly occupied, so hit a tent early in the morning.
For those who prefer walking, the Great Miami River Trail a real secret tip. The path winds up along the river and always offers angles of view that you only know from postcards. I made a morning run there, while an older gentleman came by with a dog and spoke loudly about the “good old times” – a short but refreshing moment that makes the trail a living place. Access is free, and parking on the trailhead is usually easy, except for weekends when local joggers turn the field into an improvised gym.
Back in Eaton, it lures Downtown Historic District with its restored façades and small shops that have more charm than an Instagram filter. I drank a cappuccino there in a tiny café that was so strong that I almost had to spit out the word “preble” in capital letters. The shops usually open at 10 a.m., and parking is a labyrinth of free spaces and private garages – a bit of patience pays off when you discover the small antique shop selling old records.
Another highlight is the Preble County Fairgrounds, which hosts events all year round, from livestock auctions to rock concerts. I was there during a local fair where I accidentally stumbled into a competition for the fastest horseshoe – I did not win, but the experience was unpaid. The Fairgrounds have a large car park full of weekends, but the driveway over the main road is well signposted so you don't have to look for long.
Last but not least, Preble County Courthouse not missing, an impressive 19th building Century still active. I made a tour there with an enthusiastic history teacher who knew more about the old court proceedings than about the current weather. The building is surrounded by a small green that is ideal for a short picnic, and parking is right in front of the main entrance – but only for visitors who do not want to come too late, because the car park fills up quickly when the court is in session.
All in all, Lake Lakengren's surroundings offer a colourful mix of history, nature and local culture that can satisfy every traveller – even the easy cynical one. Whether you are visiting the museum, the Fort, the State Park, the River Trail, the historic city centre, the Fairgrounds or the old courthouse, you will notice that the region has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. And that's exactly what makes Lake Lakengren Attractions to a worthwhile destination for those who want to experience the authentic Ohio.
I have to admit that my first palpitations come every time I get the Lake ngren cross – not because the water is particularly crystal clear (it is a private lake, so no wonder that the water is rather “kept” than “wild”), but because the whole thing is simply the center of a small, slightly overrated mini-city, which I secretly call my second home.
The Lake ngren Of course, it is the first point of contact, and yes, I don’t understand the hype about “Lake-Lifeflow”, but the glittering water is a perfect place to spend a few rowing boat hours if you’re not just stuck in traffic jam on I‐70. I once tried to paddle over the middle with an old kayak, just to realize that the boat had more holes than a Swiss cheese – that was a real “real great” moment, because I was allowed to swim in the shallow shore, while the other boats were leisurely passing.
Directly on the shore Lakengren Beach, a sandy stripe that looks more like a well maintained lawn than a real beach. Here there are deck chairs that could almost be called art objects because they are always aligned exactly at the same angle to the sun. On a hot July afternoon, I had a picnic with my neighbor, who claimed he had the best sandwich in the world – I just put some sand in his bread to strengthen the “authentic” experience.
A short walk leads you to Lakengren Marinawhere the boats shine more than most cars in Dayton. The staff there is friendly as long as you don't ask for a free fishing spot – this is a bit like a club in which you only come with an invitation. I once tried to try an old fishing set, and was promptly pointed out by an enthusiastic angler that the “only for members” applies. Nevertheless, the water is clear enough to see the reflections of the surrounding trees, and this is at least a small comfort.
If you're looking for something dry, this is Lakengren Community Center your next stop. The building is a mix of 80s-years-gym and community centre, complete with a swimming pool that is so cold that you feel like an ice bear right away. I tried a yoga course there on a Wednesday night – the instructor was so relaxed that I thought she was already retired and I wondered if this is really a gym or rather a place for seniors who want to feel young.
For those who believe that golf is just something for rich snout, there is the Lakengren Golf Course. The place is well maintained, the fairways are wide enough to forgive a few failure attempts, and the clubhouse serves a coffee that is almost as strong as the opinions of members about the right knock-off technique. I remember a day I made a Bogey after the other, while an older gentleman was whispering about “the golden times” next to me – that was a real reality check, but the view over the lake was at least a comfort.
A short detour to Lakengren Tennis Courts shows that not only golfers spend their time here. The places are made of hard place, which means that you feel like playing on a small asphalt field when hitting – ideal if you want to train your ankles. I played a double match with two locals who knew more about the club’s history than about the actual tennis, and in the end we all talked about the “good old” weather, which is always a bit too hot here to really play.
A walk along the river Lakengren Walking Trail connects all these points. The path is well marked, leads through a few small pieces of forest and past picnic tables, which could almost be called "Instagram-Ready". I once made a picnic with my friend who insisted that we incorporate the word “Lake Lakengren Sights” into our conversation, just to see if I notice it – I did it, of course, because I am not the type that ignores such keywords.
Last but not least, there is Lakengren Dog Park, a small, fenced field where dogs are allowed to run freely, while their owners argue about whether their four-legged friend can smell better than a truffle seeker. I walked my dog there while I sat on a bench and watched how an older couple discussed the “good old time” when there were no smartphones – a rare picture in this digitized world.
So, next time you ask about Ohio and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Lake Lakengren, remember: there are enough “sights” to deal with you, and enough little peculiarities to amuse you – and all without the usual tourist waste you find in the larger cities. I always come back because I feel a bit more to understand what “home” actually means, even if this is just a little cynicism that prevents me from smiling.
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