Honestly, if you think Ohio City is just another slept town in the Middle West, then you haven't experienced the charm of Liberty Township yet – a piece of history that was founded in 1836 as part of Van Wert County and has more layers than an old pancake ever since. I remember coming from Dayton by train, the ratter of the rails was almost like a countdown to something I could not name yet. The city grew around the railroad, and you can still feel it today when you stroll along Main Street and admire the old depot – no joke, that's a real time capsule moment that puts the hype around modern shopping center a bit in the shade.
A short trip with the County Bus after the nearby Liberty Township Hall shows how close the municipality is to hold together; here the people meet for grilling, and the laughing echoes the field that once was cattle pastures. I don't quite understand the trend towards hip cafes, but the little diner on the corner that runs since the 50s serves the best milkshakes I've ever had – a real secret tip if you want to explore Ohio City sights off the usual paths. And if you make a detour to Van Wert to see the old town hall, you feel like taking a piece of real midwestern authenticity.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the old venerable Van Worth County Courthouse, a stone monstrum from 1905, which reveals more about the self-being of the city administration than one would suspect at first sight. I stood there while a wind blow broke the flag band on the roof, and thought that the imposing Beaux-Arts-fassade is impressive, but the real highlight is the small museum in the cellar operated by the Van Worth County Historical Society. There I found a dusty diary of a civil war veterans – a real find that almost made me forget that I wanted to go by for a while.
A short detour to the south leads to Van Worth County Fairgrounds, where every year in August the entire country is coming together to lose itself in a mix of rumble, cattle market and a pinch of small-town drama. I remember a year when I found myself in a crowded Rodeo-Arena, while a bull almost wanted to tear my pants down – no joke, that was a real adrenalinkick. Parking is usually a children's game, except Saturdays, when the stands are full and the entry and exit becomes a small battle.
A few kilometres further, Van Worth County Memorial Park is a quiet place that expresses more about the region's culture of memory than any museum. I made a picnic there, while a veteran from the 60s told me stories about the “good old days” – a conversation that became almost too philosophical between the granite plates of the war monuments. The paths are well maintained, and the grilling is allowed as long as you do not annoy the neighbors with too loud music.
The Van Worth Public Library is another underestimated gem. Anyone who borrows a book will not only get a piece of literature, but also a free view of local history, as the library houses a small collection of city newspapers from the 1900s. I accidentally discovered an old photo of Ohio City from 1923, which brought me to think about the changes in the city – and that, while I did a nap in the corner, because heating in winter is simply too cold.
A little further east, almost on the edge of the actual Van Worth, lies the small but fine Van Worth County Airport. I've seen an airplane wrench that just started for a short round flight over the fields. The sound of the propeller was almost hypnotic, and I had to admit that the whole thing seemed a bit like a mini adventure from an old movie. Parking at the airport is practically always free as long as you do not arrive at the main traffic time.
Last but not least, Van Worth County Historical Museum is located in former County Jail, a place that offers more than just cells and rusty chains. I saw an exhibition on the local railway history that reminded me of the importance of rails for the development of the region. The old prison guard, who works today as a leader, told me that he used to patrol the cells at night and now leads the visitors through the exhibitions at night – a real career jump, you could say.
So if you think about Ohio City the next time, you should not only have a look at the city itself, but also the many surrounding highlights that make life here so uniquely charming. The mix of historical architecture, lively events and quiet memorials makes the region a surprisingly varied destination. And that's exactly what they are Ohio City Attractions, which I can recommend to anyone looking for a bit of authenticity and a pinch of local irony.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Ohio City is not some hip Rooftop bar, but the inconspicuous Ohio City Community Park at the corner of Main & Maple. There I unpacked my old guitar on a lukewarm summer afternoon and almost half the neighborhood to an improvised campfire singing evening – and that, although the park management offers only a few benches and a slightly sloping barbecue area. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then all of the weekly farmer market tour will flow here.
A short walk further leads you to Ohio City Public Library, a small brick building that has more character than some coffee shop in the city centre. I once borrowed a book about local history and, by chance, discovered the special exhibition about the founding families – a real find for those who do not understand the “hypoe” around the large libraries, but still like to waltz in dusty shelves.
If you are interested in history, you may old school house not miss, which was built in 1912 and today serves as a museum. I revived my childhood memories of the “Classroom cinema” when I found an old projector that was still working. The museum is small, but the original tables and chairs give you the feeling as if you were stumbled through a time portal – and that without entrance.
A short detour to St. John Lutheran Church shows that Ohio City not only consists of concrete and asphalt. The gothic façade with its colorful glass windows is a real eye-catcher, and I've seen an organ concert there that made me almost forget that I had actually been looking for a fast coffee. The church is open to visitors, and parking right in front of the Kirchhof is almost always free as long as you do not come to the Sunday Mass.
Another highlight I like to mention is the small Fire museum next to the station. There are old helmets and a cracking hose hanging there, and I even met a former firefighter who told me how he extinguished a calf fire in 1998 – a storytelling that you don't find in every guide. The museum is not big, but the passion of volunteers is contagious.
Of course, you cannot overlook the culinary heart of Ohio City: Miller’s Diner on Main Street is a real institution. I have eaten the best pancakes of my life there – fluffy, with maple syrup that was almost too sweet to ignore it. The service is friendly, the staff knows you by name, and parking behind the diner is usually an open field that you can easily use when you come early enough.
If you're in the area in the summer, you should Ohio City Summer Festival do not miss. For the first time, I discovered a local crafts market where an older gentleman sold hand-carved wooden figures that he had made from an old barn. The festival is just a weekend a year, but the mood is so out of place that you almost forget that you look around “tourist”. And yes, this is definitely one of the Ohio City Attractionsthat I would put to everyone who seeks a little authenticity.
Last but not least, a short hint for those who want to explore the area a little further: Liberty Township Park lies just a few miles south and offers a lake, hiking trails and a small amphitheater, where open-air cinema evenings occasionally take place in the summer. I once made a picnic with friends, while an older couple played chess – an image that shows me again and again that the true Ohio City is not in brochures, but in the small, unpretentious moments that you happen to discover.
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