Enjoy travelers from all over the world De Graff Sights because of their surprisingly quiet, almost nostalgic appearance, which you hardly expect when you get out of the hectic of the Great Room. I remember driving over the old railway line for the first time, which in 1850s connected the town with the rest of Ohio – a piece of history that today hardly reveals more than a few rusty thresholds, but still forms the foundation of this little place. Named after the railway pioneer Thomas De Graff, the village grew slowly but steadily in the heart of Miami Township, Logan County, and kept a charm that is missing in most modern suburbs.
If you arrive by car, the route is recommended via US‐68, which leads you directly to the centre; a short detour to County Road 22 brings you past a few old barns that still characterize the image of a past era. I tried the local cafes – no joke, the coffee is really good, and the owners like to tell about the annual harvest festivals where the whole township comes together. Even if the “De Graff Sights” aren’t in shiny brochures, you’ll find honest encounters, a bit of land air and the feeling that time here is slower, which is the real highlight for me.
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The first stop I put to every newbie is the Mad River Mountain – Ohio’s only ski resort, which lies practically on the border of Zanesfield, just a cat jump (about 12 miles) west of De Graff. Those arriving there in the summer will quickly find that the slopes are not only intended for snow fans; the mountain railway becomes a kind of toboggan run in warmth, and the hiking trails offer a surprisingly good view over the flat middle country. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don’t arrive on Friday night after the “Après-Ski-Party” – then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and overcrowded teenagers. I remember once I missed the lift and had to lift the slope on foot; that was a bit exhausting, but the view from the summit, when the sun glitters over the fields, was worth every sweat drop.
A few miles to the east lies the Ohio Caverns, the largest cave system of the state. Those who do not understand the hype for “underground miracles” should nevertheless dare a detour – the crystal formations there are really impressive, and the light play in the stalactites makes one almost forget that one is actually in a quarry from the past. The visitor's parking lot is right in front of the entrance, and the staff is so friendly that they even give some insider tips for the best photospots. I once made a small picnic near the entrance, because the weather outside was so beautiful that I halved the tour a short time – no joke, that was the highlight of my day.
Only a bit further north, almost halfway between Bellefontaine and De Graff, the Lake Logan State Park. The lake is not huge, but the clear water invites you to fishing, swimming and cozy walks on the shore. The park is well signposted, and parking is usually easy, except on hot summer days when the families with picnic baskets flood the shore. I once made a small campfire on the beach (after I got the permission from the Ranger) and enjoyed the quiet water puffs as background music – a perfect moment to forget the hectic of everyday life.
A short trip to Bellefontaine leads to Logan County Historical Society Museumhoused in a charming, restored courthouse. The exhibition is a colourful mix of old maps, agricultural tools and a few curious objects that you can find only in dusty archives. The museum does not have a great number of visitors, so you can stroll through the halls in peace; parking is right in front of the building, and the staff leaves you almost always with a small anecdote about the foundation of the county. I once discovered an old diary that comes from a pioneer from the 1850s – that gave me a completely new picture of the early settlers.
If you're in the area in August, you can Logan County Fairgrounds do not miss. The annual County Fair is a classic lunch and evening spectacle with carousels, cattle shows and a lot of local treats that you only know in your home. The terrain is huge, and parking is not a problem thanks to several large lottery areas – as long as you don't arrive on the last day of the fair, then entering and exiting becomes a small adventure. I once tried a piece of “Funnel-Cake” there, which was so sweet that I almost left the whole tent to enjoy it.
Another, more underestimated jewel is the Zanesfield Covered Bridge, a historical work that spans the Mad River. The bridge is not only a photo motif, but also a piece of lively history that is still used by pedestrians and cyclists. Parking is practically directly at the end of the road, and entering the bridge is a short but impressive moment in which you can hear the stick of the wood under your own steps. I once met an old farmer who told me that the bridge is still being used by local suppliers for agricultural equipment – a nice example of how tradition and everyday life go hand in hand here.
Whether you're looking for a fast adrenalinkick, a quiet walk by the lake or a look into the history of the county – the surroundings of De Graff offers more than enough variety to inspire even the most bretched traveler. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the De Graff Attractions take a special place in my head – they are not only points on a map, but small stories that make the heart of Ohio beat.
This guide invites you strolling with me through the narrow alleys of De Graff as if we were old acquaintances who meet after years – only that I have the best insider tips here and you probably have never heard of this spot Earth.
I prefer to start with the De Graff Village Hall because the building has more stories to tell than so many bestsellers. The old brick house from the early 20. The century stands in the middle of the village and looks as if it had survived the time to show us that “modern” does not always mean “glossy”. I once tried a village party cake there, which was so dry that it could almost go through as a decoration – but the atmosphere was real, and parking was almost always a Klacks as long as you don't come with the entire local council on Saturday night.
A short walk further De Graff Public Librarya tiny building that has more heart than shelves. I borrowed a book about the history of the Little-Miami region and caught the librarian as he secretly stole a piece of chocolate cake from the kitchen – no joke, that was the highlight of my afternoon. The library is accessible free of charge, and parking is virtually right in front of the door if you do not just block the only free space with a van.
If you prefer to catch fresh air, the way to De Graff Community Park. The small park has a playground, a baseball field and a barbecue area that mutates from the locals to an improvised BBQ market on hot summer days. I remember a spontaneous picnic in which an older gentleman told me that he “hidden” here as a child and still climbs the same trees today. Parking is a bit chaotic here because the village has no designated parking – but this is part of the charm, right?
A little further, almost on the edge of the village, lies the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Gothic facade of red brick is a real eye-catcher, and the interior is surprisingly well preserved. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see that the organ is more snaring than an old wooden boat, but that gives the whole a certain rustic charm. The church is open to visitors, and parking is usually not a problem as long as you do not come to the wedding fair – then the small field in front of the nave becomes a battlefield.
An absolute must for nature lovers is the Little Miami Scenic TrailJust outside De Graff. The path is perfect for a relaxed bike tour or a long walk, and I once saw a fox that bravely grabbed a picnic table – that was a real photo moment. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the trailhead is usually sufficient as long as you do not come to the high season with a horde cyclist.
Of course you should not forget the culinary highlight: De Graff Diner. This little restaurant serves breakfast all day and has the best pancakes throughout the county – at least the shield on the wall asserts, and I believed it until I took the first bite. The service is friendly, though a little bit shredded, and parking is right in front of the diner, where you will always find a place as long as you do not arrive for lunch with a tractor.
For those who want to make a little story, there is De Graff Historical Society Museum. The Mini Museum is barely larger than a cabinet, but it houses old tools, photos and a few yellowed newspapers that show how the village was once characterized by railroad and agriculture. I found an old map that almost made me look for a treasure – unfortunately only a dusty piece of wood. The museum has no own parking, but a few free places are at the end of the road if you do not discuss the entire day with the museum staff.
When you summarize all this, you will get a picture of De Graff, not from brochures, but from real De Graff Attractions consists of a mix of barring halls, friendly faces and a pinch of rural romance. And as I type my last lines here, I listen in the background to the distant readings of the church bell, the rats of a tractor and the quiet mumbling of the Little Mommy River – a soundtrack that reminds me every time I visit this place again and again, even if I know that the next weekend is waiting in the big city jungle.
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