Honestly, if you think that “Gratis Sights” is just an advertisement, then you haven’t experienced the small but self-contained place Free in the heart of Preble County. Founded at the beginning of 19. A few brave pioneers who thought a name like “Gratis” attracts visitors – and yes, that worked a bit.
I came by train to Dayton, jumped into the bus to Eaton and then a short leg trip over the State Route 49, which leads you directly to the center of this sleepy township. There, between old barns and the only, slightly sloping town hall, one senses the pulse of a community that is proud of its history, but not too much attached to yesterday.
A walk through the main road is like a small time jump: the old primary school building, which now serves as a municipal center, has more character than some hip cafés in the city. And while I was standing there, I had to admit that I don't understand the hype about modern art installations, but the rustic flair here is just fantastic.
If you ask yourself how to get here, just take the I‐70 to the west, then the 49 to the south – no joke, this is the fastest route, and you have enough time to enjoy the landscape before you arrive in the heart of Free. And yes, the “Gratis Sights” here are not just a word game, they are a real promise for anyone seeking a bit of authenticity.
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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 Gratis, 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 I put to every visitor is that Preble County Historical Society Museum in Eaton – a place where the history of Preble County is almost tangible, because the exhibitions are so lovingly compiled that you feel like scrolling through an old family album. I remember the day that I accidentally stumbled into the old barn with the original ovens and almost let the lighter of one of the old farmers fall out of hand; the staff only laughed and explained to me that this was a real “smoking” from the 1880s. Parking is usually a Klacks at the museum, a small parking lot behind the building is enough, only on Saturdays it can become a bit fuller because then school classes come.
A short walk further leads to historic centre of Eatonwhere the imposing Preble County Courthouse with its classic column façade almost looks like a film set. I once discovered a street music duo that played classic jazz standards – a strange contrast to the stone walls, but that's what makes the charm. The pedestrian zone is well accessible, and if you are lucky, you will find a small café serving the best apple cake in the area; That's not a joke, that's really great.
If you have enough of dusty halls, you should go to Hueston Woods State Park about 30 minutes south. The lake there is crystal clear, and the hiking trails lead through dense beech forests that offer a firework of colors in autumn. I once organized a family picnic, which was “interrupted” by a curious raccoon, bravely approaching our sandwich – an unforgettable moment that showed me that nature here is not only beautiful, but also quite cheeky. The parking lot at the main entrance is large enough, but on sunny weekends it can be quickly full, so prefer to come early.
A bit further east, almost on the edge of Dayton, this is Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Here you will meet the birthplace of aviation, with original workshops of the Wright brothers and a small museum that documents the early flight tests. I was there when a school-class leader called the famous saying “We fly now!” and suddenly a small model-plane workshop started – that was a real highlight moment for the kids and for me, because I suddenly felt like a little boy who crafts paper flyers. Parking is easy at the visitor centre, only on the weekend it can become a bit messy, because then the aviation enthusiasts from all over Ohio arrive.
Only half an hour further north, near Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, located National Museum of the United States Air Force. This is not just a museum that is a giant temple building full of aircraft, from the old Biplanes to modern jets. I made a tour there where a veteran personally told me the story of an F-15 that he himself flew – that was a real knaller, because you rarely hear such personal anecdotes. The museum has a huge garage that is almost always free, except for the days when large aviation events take place.
For those who prefer walking, I recommend Six Mile Creek Trail at West Alexandria. The path winds up along the stream of the same name and offers quiet places to keep in, where you can almost forget the water's bloom because the birds are so loudly swung. I once made a picnic with my friend, and suddenly a squirrel came that was brave enough to steal our sandwich – that was annoying, but at the same time a sign that nature is really alive here. The trail is well signposted, and parking on the trailhead is free, but on sunny Saturdays it can be full because then the local running groups come.
A last, somewhat less known, but nevertheless worthwhile stop is the St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Manchester. The church dates back to 19th. Century and impresses with its neo-Gothic architecture and the artistic stained glass windows. I once saw a small concert where a local choir sang classic hymns – the echo in the high ceiling was almost spiritual. The parking lot is small, but enough as long as you don't get to the Sunday fair, then you have to park a few blocks further and walk on foot.
Whether you're a history fan, nature lover or aerospace enthusiast – the environment of Free, Free Township, Preble, Ohio has something to offer for everyone, and everything without paying a cent. These Free sightseeing show that you don't always have to travel far to find real experiences.
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