Visit Lockington Shelby Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Lockington, Ohio: Nature lovers discover the "Bird Sanctuary" at the Muskingum River! An unforgettable adventure holiday in the heart of America.
Honestly, if you think Ohio is just corn fields and endless highways, you haven't experienced Lockington yet. This tiny village in the heart of Washington Township, Shelby County, was founded in 1830 as “Locke’s Landing” – a name that reminds of the early shipping routes in the nearby Stillwater River, although the water today is rather a lukewarm plough that hardly holds a boat. I discovered the story there in a dusty archive, while I drove on the way from Dayton via the 33 A to Lockington; the highway is a mix of road and road, so it's easy to find when you leave Highway 68 and have some patience with the crossroads.
What I really like about Lockington is the feeling that time is a bit slower here – not because it is romantic, but because people here simply don't rush. I don't understand the hype around the huge shopping centers in neighboring towns, but the small family farms here that have served the same pancakes for generations are a real treasure. And yes, the “Lockington sights” include not only the old town hall, which today serves as a municipal center, but also the historical cemetery gate, which is still surrounded by oaks. When you arrive by train, just get to the bus to Sidney and then a taxi – that's faster than you think, and you'll get a little insider story from the drivers who grew up here.
I have to admit right at the beginning that I never thought that a tiny spot Ohio like Lockington would let me hit my heart a bit faster again – and not just because I discovered my favorite bureaucracy here. My first recommendation, which I would put to the heart of every friend who happens to bend over the I‐95, is that Lockington Dam. The dam is not only a technical miracle from the 60s, but also the center for almost everything that is going on here. I spent a few hours there while I tried to find the perfect fishing spot – and yes, parking is usually a Klack, except Saturdays, when the whole city shows up with its kayaks and the field becomes a small battlefield of buses and caravans.
A short walk upstream leads you to Lockington Bridge, an old steel carrier construction that spans the Great Miami River. I don’t understand the hype about “historical bridges”, but here the metal has something almost romantic when the sun glitters on it. Last year, I took a photo that now hangs in my living room – not because the bridge is particularly photogenic, but because I was almost shot by a passing cyclist when trying to shoot the picture. A little adrenalinkick that makes the whole thing more authentic.
If you're looking for a place where you can stretch your feet and grab some fresh air, then it's Lockington Community Park That's right. The park is small, but it has a playground, a few picnic tables and a barbecue, which is always full when you are looking for a spontaneous barbecue. I started an improvised football match with some locals – the result was a bunch of dirty socks and a new friend who later gave me a self-made jam glass. Parking? Right next to the entrance, no problem as long as you don't come to the main event of the year.
There is a bit of culture, of course, if you do Lockington Historical Society Museum enter. The museum is not a huge building, but rather a cozy shed of old photos, tools and a collection of newspapers dating back to the 19th century. I found an old typewriter that still works – a real treasure for anyone interested in the analog age. The entrance is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you would be part of the story, not just a visitor.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Great Miami River Trail-Climbing directly past Lockington. The trail is perfect for cyclists and hikers looking for a bit distance from the highway. I straightened the route once in the early hours of the morning when the fog was still above the water – that was almost like a film set, only without the cameras. The path is well marked and you can stop at the small docks at any time to refill your water bottle. A little note: The trailhead parking is usually free, but it can be tight on sunny weekends.
For those who wonder what else to see in Lockington, here is a short overview of the Lockington AttractionsI personally consider it worth visiting: the Dam and Lake Complex, the old bridge, the Community Park, the Historical Museum and the River Trail. Each of these places has its own charm and lets you experience the little town from a different perspective – either by fishing, photography, a bit of sports or simply by wondering about the story that is still alive here.
Finally, a small tip I forget to mention: If you stay in Lockington, check out the local Bed-and-Breakfast, which is right next to the dam. Breakfast is really great, and the staff knows every visitor by name – a bit of cynicism aside, that's just a place where you feel welcome without having to spend a fortune for it. And next time you drive over the road, remember: Lockington may be small, but the stories that happen here are anything but boring.
The first stop I never miss is the Richland B&O Traila silent witness of the old railway, which once formed the backbone of the region. I parked there for the first time in the spring, because parking is almost impossible on the weekend, and then by bike I straightened 12 kilometres along the former tracks – past fields that shimmer like an endless golden sea in summer. The path is well developed, the shields are rare, but this is exactly what I love: not a crowded path, only the quiet rat of my chain and the occasional quaken of a toad that reminds me that I am not in a museum, but in the middle of nature.
A short trip to Sidney leads to Shelby County Historical Museum. The building itself is a little like a dusty family album that you just want to open when you want to sniff into the past. I remember wondering how I admired the old agricultural tools there as a child with my grandmother – and then realized that today the museum has a small but fine café serving the best apple cake in the area. Parking is a Klacks here as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small plot fills up faster than a popcorn bag in the cinema.
If you have enough of dusty halls, you should Ohio Caverns at West Liberty. I don't quite understand the hype about underground crystal formations, but the light that dances through the artificially illuminated stalactites has something magical that surprises me every time. The way there leads through the State Route 47, and parking is free at the entrance – a rare lucky case in Ohio, where fees are required almost everywhere. I once made a small family trip with my nephew; he was so excited that he could only say “caverns” all day.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The place has become famous by the film “The Shawshank Redemption”, and yes, the tours are a bit touristic, but the building itself is an architectural miracle from the 1890s. I stood there last time in autumn, while a light fog moved over the terrain – this has given the whole an almost film-ready atmosphere. The parking lot is huge, so don't worry when you arrive by car; the only thing you need to pay attention is that the guides only start at certain times, so a short look at the display panel at the entrance is worth it.
For those who prefer to marvel over bridges, Zanesville Y-Bridge A must. Three streets, a building – this is the concept that has been implemented here in the 1930s, and it still works amazingly well. I stood there for the first time in summer while a tractor passed and the sun made the metal glow. Parking is a bit tricky because the terrain around the bridge is not really designed for it, but a short walk from the main parking space is completely enough to admire the impressive design.
Last but not least a small secret tip: the Hazen Lake State Park at Findlay. The lake is not huge, but the water is clear enough to see the fish that swim below it – a real eye-catcher for anglers and photography lovers. I once made a picnic with a few friends, and we were happy about the lack of crowds, because parking is almost always full on weekends. A short detour from Highway 15, a bit of bullshit in the sand, and you have a piece of rest that is rarely found in this area.
The next time you drive through the area, don't forget that the surroundings of Lockington have more to offer than just field paths and corn fields – from historical railways to underground wonders to architectural curiosities there are plenty of Lockington Attractionswaiting to be discovered by you.
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