Visit Jackson Center Shelby Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Jackson Center, Ohio: Experience the Amish community and traditional craftsmanship in Amish Country!
What makes Jackson Center sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here whirling at every street corner, while I stroll with my coffee from the local diner over the old railway bridge. Founded in 1833, the town has its name from President Andrew Jackson, and the whole Jackson Township is embedded in rural Shelby County, where corn fields and old barns dominate the panorama. I have to admit that I don't understand the whole “Rustic-Charm” hype, but the honest kindness of the residents who owe me almost a smile when crossing the main road is really great.
If you take the I‐71 north from Columbus and then turn off Highway 65, you reach the village after about an hour – a short detour that is worth it because you feel like you have fallen out of time without losing the connection completely. The old Postbank from the 19th The century, which today serves as a café, is a prime example of how tradition and modernity are struggling a bit. And as I walk past the town hall, which stands in classic colonial style, I consider why I do not often flee to such small cities where life is slower, but people have a heart for strangers faster.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot in the heart of Ohio – Jackson Center, the village I love because it gives me the feeling that time here sometimes runs a bit slower without getting bored.
I prefer to start with the Jackson Center Historical Museum located in a renovated old bank building. There are photos of people I still meet on the main road today, and old tools that tell more stories than some blog post. I have to admit, I don't understand the whole hype about “historical museums”, but here the staff is so warm that you almost forget that you look at only a few dusty exhibits. Parking is usually a Klacks – a small parking lot behind the museum is enough as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then fight for a place with the weekly Bingo fans.
A short walk further Jackson Center Public Library. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the cozy reading chair and the quiet sum of the air conditioning simply invite you to stay. The library regularly organizes readings by local authors – a perfect place to sneak a bit of Ohio literature while wondering why you were not here earlier.
If you are looking for a place to represent the legs, the Jackson Center Community Park right into the green. The park is not just a national park, but the well-maintained playgrounds, a small lake and a barbecue area that is always used by the neighbors make it a real meeting place. I once made a picnic with my neighbor from the bakery, and we exchanged ourselves with the best pancake recipes – no joke, that was better than any gourmet cuisine.
Another highlight that I cannot leave is the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural piece of jewelry with a stone façade that almost glistens in summer in sunlight. I took part in a choir sample there, because I thought I could sing a bit, and quickly noticed that my voice remains better in the car. Nevertheless, the acoustics is impressive, and the community is so friendly that you feel immediately welcome.
For those who want to feel the real “small city life” is a stroll about the Main street of Jackson Center A must. There you will find the old town hall, which now serves as a community center, a few antique shops that sell more curiosities than furniture, and the “Miller’s” café where the coffee is strong enough to wake up a tired traveler. I caught the owner there trying a piece of cake secretly before he sold it to the clientele – a small but real insight into the local life.
A little off but definitely part of the Jackson Center Attractionsis that Jackson Center Fire Department. The museum is a small but fine collection of old fire-fighting vehicles, helmets and photographs of brave firefighters, who used to come out with horse-drawn carriages. I found an old hose that still smelled a little after burned rubber – a scent that immediately reminds me of the summer evenings I sat with the guys from the department at the campfire.
Finally a secret tip: The Jackson Center Farmers Market, which takes place in the summer every Saturday morning in the parking lot of the municipal center. Fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a stand with handmade candles – this is what I mean when I say that here real Ohio hearts beat. I once tried an apple cake there that was so good that I took almost the whole piece home, just to show that I speak not only about the sights but also live them.
So, next time you plan a road trip and want to have a bit of authentic, slightly cynical Ohio, then turn the compass to Jackson Center. I promise you that you will not only take sights, but experience a piece of real community here – and that is, in my opinion, the most valuable souvenir you can take home.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta – yes, the same Wapakoneta that is Neil Armstrong's birthplace. I almost felt like a child in the confectionery store, only that the candy consisted of metal and fuel. The exhibition is a bit overloaded, but the real moon module lets every self-proclaimed space driver forget the Earth for a short time. Parking is a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday morning, then the field becomes a mini-store course.
A short detour to the south leads to Hueston Woods State Park. The lake there is so clear that you almost feel like living in an Instagram filter. I woke up on the water with a kayak and was surprised how quiet the passenger is – until a tractor driver with a loud radio tore the idyll. The hiking trail around the lake is well marked, and the visitor center has more wood carvings than a crafts market in the pre-Christmas period.
Back to the north, just a cat jump from Jackson Center, this is Shelby County Historical Museum in Sidney. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a small history museum really has something to offer. Surprisingly, there is an impressive collection of artifacts from the time when the railway was still the backbone of the region. The museum is housed in an old bank building, which even a little snares when entering the old wooden floors – a charming sound that makes history audible.
A little away from the known paths lies the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath. The path stretches through fields and small villages, and I have seen more ducks there than people. The path is well maintained, but the signs could be a bit more friendly – a sign with “Welcome in nowhere” would at least be honest. Nevertheless, it is a perfect place to let the soul be dangled while listening to the quiet plunder of the canal.
Another highlight I didn't want to leave is the imposing Shelby County Courthouse in Sidney. The building is a prime example of Victorian architecture, which is rarely found here in the Middle West. I put myself in the courtyard and admired the marble columns, while an older gentleman in a suit, clearly from the 70s, told me that the court building is still used for real negotiations – not a museum, but a functioning piece of history.
Only half an hour drive north Lake Loramie State Park. The lake is a magnet for anglers, and I saw more baits than fish there – a typical picture for Ohio in summer. The shore is lined with picnic tables that have seen better days, but that makes the charm. I spent a few hours there while a family bird choir broke through silence.
At the end of my small tour, Great Miami River Bike Trail not missing. The cycle path leads along the river and offers breathtaking views, which are otherwise only known from postcards. I rented my bike and explored a piece of the trail, and I realized that most cyclists here are more tourists than locals – a good sign that the area finally gets a bit more attention.
Next time you're in Jackson Center, Jackson Township, Shelby, Ohio, you shouldn't just be limited to the little town. The surroundings provide a colourful mix of space history, natural paradises and historical architecture that enthuses every traveler – even the slightly cynical one. These Jackson Center Attractions show that the heart of the Middle West has much more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
Find more vacation destinations near Jackson Center Shelby Ohio using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
