Visit Saint Johns Auglaize Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Saint John, Ohio: Experience the natural wonders of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and visit the Historic Village of Peninsula for an insight into local history.
What makes Saint John's sights so special is the quiet way to sneak the story here through every field road – a bit like an old friend who comes to the party too late, but who brings with it the best anecdotes. I remember driving over the old railway bridge, which dates back to the 1880s for the first time, and I immediately felt that this little community had more to tell than to guess at first sight. Clay Township, nestled in the heart of Auglaize County, was once a hub for livestock and cereal trade; the old barns, which today serve as homes, still bear the aroma of hay and sweat of past days.
When you reach the State Route 66 by car, you pass the post office-like building, which was formerly the communications center – today a café serving more coffee than talking about the weather. I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between endless corn fields and the occasional tractor, you'll find a rest you're looking for in vain in the city. And yes, the journey is easy: a short detour of US-Route 30, a short stop at the petrol station, and you are already in the middle of the rural charm, ready to discover the small wonders of Saint Johns.
This guide invites you to explore with me a small but surprisingly charming spot in the heart of Clay Township – Saint Johns, Ohio.
I always start with St. Johns Community Park because he is the true heart of the village. At first glance, the field looks a bit like an oversized backyard, but if you swing the barbecue pliers in the summer and hear the laughing of the children from the playground, you can immediately understand why the locals here spread their picnic blankets. Parking is almost always a Klack, except on Saturday night, when the local baseball team has a game and suddenly everyone tries to get a free space – then the field becomes a parking cheaos.
A short walk further St. Johns Historical Museuma tiny building that used to be a primary school. I must admit, I was skeptical if a museum in a village with less than 2,000 inhabitants has anything to offer at all. But the exhibition of old school books, handwritten diaries and an original carriage from the 1890s has completely knocked me over. The curator, a retired teacher, tells every visitor with a mixture of pride and light spotting that the “big cities” have nothing against the authentic history here. And that is true – here you feel the pulse of the past without being crushed by tourist masses.
If you're looking for a place to find some rest, the St. Johns Public Library That's right. The library is small, but it has a surprisingly well sorted shelf with local authors and a cozy corner with an old wooden chair that looks better than some new armchairs in the city centers. I once found a book about the history of the Auglaize County, which I later fought in the museum – a small but fine cycle. Parking right in front of the building is always free because most visitors walk.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is the St. Johns United Methodist Church. The church building dates from the early 20th. Century and impresses with its red bricks and the artistic stained glass window above the altar. I was there with a Sunday worship service, and although I am not a believer, the acoustics inside – almost like in a small opera – has completely tied me up. The pastor, a man with a dry humour, told after the worship that the church has been the “official meeting place” of the village for over 100 years – and this is probably the reason why the church still holds so close together.
For those who prefer something active, there is St. Johns Community Center. The center not only houses a gym, but also regular dance evenings and bingo nights, which I would personally call “the best excuses to survive the week”. The approach is simple: a small parking space right in front of the building, and the sign “Community Center – Open” always shines even when the light inside flickers.
A little away from the usual tourist path lies the St. Johns Fire DepartmentEvery year in August, a Pancake-Breakfast event is held. I stood there the first time the firefighters turned the pancakes in their red helmets, and I must confess that the sirens in the background made the whole thing an almost festive experience. The event is free, and parking is a children's game thanks to the big fire station – as long as you don't try to reserve a barbecue area at the same time.
Last but not least, Saint Johns Farmers Market do not leave, which takes place in the summer every second Saturday on the village square. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and the infamous maize bread run by Mrs. Henderson, I'm always trying, even though I'm sure I'm sick of him sometime. The market is a perfect place to sniff a bit of local flair, and parking is almost always available thanks to the surrounding residential roads – you just have to bring a bit of patience when the neighbors take off their tractors.
So if you want to go through Ohio the next time and experience a little “authentic” village life, then take a look at the Saint Johns Attractions. I promise you that you will find more heart and less tourist noise here – and this is the true highlight for me.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta – yes, exactly where the man who entered the moon spent his childhood. I have to admit, the hype around the space exploration is not entirely my thing, but the huge, light-cracking spaceship model, which is in the middle of the entrance area, has made me dazzle. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field behind the museum becomes a battlefield for truck drivers.
A short detour leads me to Auglaize County Historical Society Museumhoused in a renovated old school building. There are more old land machines here than in any other museum in the state, and this is a reason for me to cheer. I almost caught myself in a cracking tractor when I tried to make a selfie – the result was a picture showing more dust than face, but that's the real Ohio feeling.
Go on Wapakoneta River Trail, a 7-mile runway that swells along the Auglaize River. I once tried to complete my morning jogging round, just to see that the track was occupied by a group of ducks who apparently held a weekly meeting. The trail is well signposted, parking on the trailhead is free, and if you are lucky, you will meet a few locals who throw out their fishing rods and discuss the weather loudly.
The Auglaize River itself is an underestimated jewel for those who like to paddle or fish. I caught a couple of pikes in the late summer that I almost thought they were from an old movie. Access is possible at several places, but the most popular dock is close to the small boat dock at Riverside Park – there are a few benches, a few garbage cans (which are unfortunately never emptied) and a sign that indicates that fishing is only allowed with fishing license. Practically, because otherwise the local police are kind but destined to point it out.
A bit of golf can never hurt, and that Wapakoneta Golf Club delivers exactly that – an 18‐hole‐Par‐72 that challenges both beginners and experienced players. I remember a sunny afternoon when I accidentally hit the ball in the bunker next to the 9th hole and then realized that the bunker was actually a small vegetable garden that an older gentleman just used. The man laughed cordially and offered me a fresh tomato salad – that was the best club dinner I ever had.
Only half an hour further lies the tranquil Minster, famous for the Minster Creamery. There is not only the best ice in the region, but also guided tours where you can see how the famous Minster ice cream mixing ratio is created. I volunteered for the “Käse-und-Eis-Tour” because I thought that would be a good way to burn a bit of calories – the result was a full belly and an even full wallet because the tour is free as long as you don’t try to steal the ice.
Another highlight in Minster is the St. Augustine’s Church, an impressive building in German style, which is admired every year at the “Minster Oktoberfest” by thousands of visitors. I was there during a trade fair when suddenly a choir from the back of the nave sang – the voices were so powerful that I almost thought the roof would collapse. The entrance is free, parking is limited on the street, but a small walk from the main square to the church is still the best option.
Whether you are looking for space history, historical agriculture, relaxed hiking trails, sporting challenges or sweet treats – the surroundings of Saint Johns offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveller. And if you count all this together, you get a pretty good picture of what Saint Johns Attractions really.
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