Visit Casstown Miami Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the charming hamlet of Casstown, Ohio: The Lodge at Valley Vista offers comfort and seclusion near the Hocking Hills State Park. Rest guaranteed!
Honestly, if you think Ohio is just corn fields and endless highways, you haven't experienced Casstown yet. The city was founded in 1833, named after the early settler John Cas, and has survived more than just a few old barns ever since. I like to drive through the State Route 73 because it leads me directly into the heart of the Lostcreek Township – a bit like a detour into the past, only that the roads now have asphalt and not gravel.
I don't understand the hype about the small, historically graceful main roads, but what I find here is really great: a few lovingly restored half-timbered houses that tell more stories than you could hear in a day in New York. And yes, this is all in Miami County, so no confusion with sunny Florida – there are more cows than palm trees.
When you arrive by train, simply get to Amtrak in Dayton and take the bus to Troy; from there it is a short jump over the road to Casstown. I have the feeling that the Casstown sights are not just a name, but a promise: a bit of nostalgia, a touch of cynicism and a lot of local charm that you don't find in every guide.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Casstown is not exactly what you would find in a guide for “must-see” – it is that Casstown Community. There, where the grass is a bit longer than in the neighboring suburbs, I lit a campfire with a few locals on a lukewarm summer evening and heard the quiet sum of the grills, which was almost louder than the conversation about the latest Netflix hits. Parking is usually a Klack, except when the weekly baseball tournament starts – then the field becomes a parking lot and you have to hit between home runs and parked pick-ups.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Casstown Historical Society Museum. The building is a converted classroom from the 1900s, which has more dust layers than I have in my wardrobe. I don't quite understand the hype about miniature ice rinks, but the original tools of the villagers, which are exhibited here, have something almost calming – as if you touch a piece of forgotten time. The museum has no fixed opening hours, so just stop by if you feel like you want to inhale a bit of history.
If you're looking for a place where you can move back with a good book, then it's Media That's right. I found a dusty crime there that was better than any thriller I've ever seen in the cinema. The library is small, but the staff is friendly and knows everyone who has ever borrowed a book – this is kind of charming and a bit scary at the same time. Parking behind the building is always free as long as you are not there at the same time as the weekly reading hour.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Lostcreek Township Hall. This is not exactly a museum, but the walls tell stories of endless community council meetings where more about the new asphalt project was discussed than about the weather. I happened to watch a meeting there where an older gentleman vehement explained why the old oak on the edge of the park should not be liked – a real drama moment that almost deserves an Oscar. Access is free, and parking is right in front of the building where you can almost never find your car because the residents always occupy the best places.
For those looking for a little spiritual tranquility, there are Casstown United Methodist Church. The church is a pretty brick building from the early 20th. Century that smells a bit more home every time the church bells ring. I once saw a concert from a local youth band that was better than what I hear in the big cities – and that without entrance. Parking is a bit tight, but if you come early enough, you will get a place next to the cemetery, which gives the whole a slightly morbid charm.
A small but fine secret tip is that Casstown Farmers Marketthat takes place every Saturday morning on the village square. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and one or other stand where you can buy handmade soaps – no joke that smell better than any spa treatment I have ever tried. I once met an old farmer who told me that he had grown the same variety of corn since 1952; the conversation was so authentic that I almost forgot that I wanted to buy only a few tomatoes. Parking is a bit chaotic here because most visitors turn off their cars right next to the stands, but this is part of the experience.
And yes, if you ask yourself what else you can do in Casstown, just look at the Casstown Attractions that I have listed here – this is enough to fill a weekend that is neither exaggerated tourist nor completely boring. I have the feeling that after the visit you leave the village with a slightly slanted smile, because you know that you discovered something that is not in every guide, and that is somehow the most beautiful, right?
The first stop I recommend to every newbie is the Hueston Woods State Park – a forest piece that has more trees than I could ever count in an Instagram feed. The lake is crystal clear, the canoe rental is almost always occupied, and parking is a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and picnic baskets. I once tried to ignite a campfire there, only to establish that the Rangers immediately prohibited it with a look that says more than a manual – no joke, that was a real reality check.
Only half an hour further south lies the heart of Oxford: the Miami University campus site. The old brick buildings look like a movie of 1950, and the students walking around here always seem to be in a hurry as if they were just posting the latest meme. I got into the Oxford College of Arts & Sciences to visit the library – a place where the whisper is almost louder than the noise of the nearby river. Practical: The visitor centre has free Wi-Fi access, and parking is free as long as you do not try to park a car near the main building because there is always a police car.
A bit further, almost like a trip to the past, rises the serpent mound, an ancient earthwork that looks like someone had built a huge dragon of sand and then forget to remove it. I stood there in the autumn when the fog crawled over the hills, and thought that the locals probably have a good reason to protect this place – it is not just a photo motif, but a piece of history that should not be devalued with a selfie stick. The way to the mound is well signposted, and parking is always available at the visitor center, but there are no toilets, so better to put a short stop in a nearby diner.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, the Little Miami Scenic Trail is a must. The path stretches through fields, small villages and along the Little Miami River – a river that is so calm that you can almost overhear the pavement when driving too loud over the asphalt plates. I spent a few hours there with my old trek bike, just to find out that the signs sometimes raise more questions than give answers. Practical: There are numerous drinking water stations along the way, and parking at most of the trail entry points is free as long as you do not try to leave the bike in the middle of the forest – this leads to a short but intense conversation with the försterns.
The Oxford Farmers Market is what I would call the “social heart” of the region. Every Saturday morning, the stalls are filled with fresh vegetables, handmade cheese and a selection of local crafts, which can be found only in hip districts. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I could hardly carry it through the door – that was a real test for my strength. The market is free to enter, and parking is possible directly in front of the town hall, but there are only a few places, so better to come early.
A short detour to the Miami County Historical Museum provides a look into the past, which lives here not only in dusty books, but in real artifacts. The exhibition about the early settlers is particularly well done, and I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1800s – a real treasure for history lovers. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually empty as long as you do not come to the special exhibition, then it suddenly becomes full.
If the weather plays, it is worth visiting the Miami County Fairgrounds, where the annual County Fairgrounds event takes place. The rides, the local food stalls and the exuberant crowds give you the feeling that rural life is not as boring as you sometimes think. I once tried a piece of apple cake there, which was so sweet that I almost swallowed the whole piece in one train – a little triumph for my taste buds. Parking is still easy on Friday night, but on Saturday night the terrain turns into a labyrinth of cars, so you better get a little earlier.
Finally, a short note to the Great Miami River Trail, which is a paradise for both hikers and canoeers. The river is wide enough to manoeuvre a small boat, and the paths along the shore are well maintained. I once made a picnic on the river bank, while a swarm duck was curious about me – a moment that was almost too cheesy to be true. Parking is free at most access points, but at the more lively places, such as the Riverside Park, it can quickly become narrow.
Those who want to discover the speciality around Casstown will find here a colourful mix of nature, history and local culture – a real kaleidoscope of experiences that delight every traveller. The Casstown Attractions in the surrounding area offer enough variety to satisfy both the adventurous explorer and the cozy connoisseur.
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