7 Timeless Towns In Ohio

As one of the country’s earlier states, Ohio played a crucial role in American history, and as a result, it is home to many timeless towns worth visiting. In Steubenville, a collection of large-scale murals turns downtown into an open-air gallery devoted to the city’s past. And in Perrysburg, Fort Meigs preserves an important chapter of the War of 1812 through one of the nation’s largest reconstructed log forts. These historic towns have plenty of stories to tell behind their stunning architecture, and they help keep Ohio’s historic contributions alive even as centuries pass.

Greenville

Greenville proudly claims the title of the Annie Oakley Capital of the World. Annie Oakley was not only born in this area but also performed in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show nearby for 17 years. Travelers can easily fill a weekend in Greenville by visiting various sites related to Annie Oakley.

Start your journey at the Garst Museum, which is home to the National Annie Oakley Center, showcasing her life in a new and engaging way. After your museum visit, be sure to stop by both her childhood home and the house where she passed away.

In July, the town hosts the annual Annie Oakley Festival, an open-air event featuring cowboy-mounted shooting, western arts, musical performances, and a wide array of local food vendors.

Steubenville

Nicknamed the “City of Murals”, Steubenville is home to an outdoor museum that showcases 25 massive and colorful murals. The murals largely recount different periods of the town’s history, ranging from the steamboat era to the Civil War and World War II. Many of the murals depict the area’s iconic native residents as well, such as Dorthy Sloop and Moses Fleetwood Walker. After exploring the murals, travelers can spend an afternoon at the Historic Fort Steuben. This fort, built in the late 18th century, allows visitors to experience everyday life for early American soldiers on the frontier. The nearby Mount Pleasant is another fascinating historic landmark to visit, a village of century-old residences with diverse architectural styles, and it once served as a vital station on the Underground Railroad.

Germantown

In 1804, a group of German-speaking settlers from Pennsylvania established Germantown, leading to the creation of numerous historic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries that still stand today. One of the town's oldest structures is the Shuey Mill, built by Philip Gunckel, who originally used it as both a gristmill and a sawmill. Although the mill is privately owned, visitors can admire its historic architecture from the outside. Another notable landmark is the Florentine Hotel, which was built in 1816. Today, the hotel functions as a restaurant and tavern, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy an upscale meal sourced from local ingredients.

In addition to exploring the town's historic sites, travelers should participate in Germantown's annual Pretzel Festival. Held every fall, this festival celebrates the town's German heritage with a pretzel contest, the crowning of a festival queen and princess, and live musical performances.

Chillicothe

Chillicothe is a great place to go museum hopping, as it is home to a large variety of historical museums. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is one of a kind in the state, featuring earthen enclosures and monumental mounds that Native Americans built over 2,000 years ago. Spring forward several centuries, and travelers can also visit the Adena Mansion & Gardens, a 2,000-acre estate that was once home to Ohio’s sixth governor in the early 19th century. Inside the mansion, visitors can appreciate original furnishings along with restored decor that expresses the period’s history. Those who are interested in trains will enjoy visiting the Railroad Museum in Chillicothe, housed inside two cabooses and exhibiting 150 years of railway history.

Marietta

Marietta, established in 1788, is the oldest city in Ohio. The city’s development has been significantly influenced by its rivers, particularly the convergence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. To celebrate this riverboat heritage, plan a visit to Marietta during the summer for its Riverboat Days events. Throughout July, visitors can watch various steamboats, including some of the largest in the Ohio River system, as they dock in town. From May through October, you can also take a tour of Marietta's historic district by horse-drawn carriage with Hardly Able Carriage Company, making history come alive. Be sure to visit the Campus Martius Museum, located on the original site of the Campus Martius fortress. The museum features the home of one of the fortress’s generals and showcases both local history and the history of the Northwestern Territory.

Lebanon

Lebanon is home to the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, offering visitors a trip through time on the rails. Travelers can embark on the historic Turtle Creek Valley Flyer, a one-hour and 15-minute trip that will take them through the Warren County countryside in southwestern Ohio. In the summer, the train hosts a special summer steam train route, which allows travelers to enjoy a trip on a historic American steam train. The railroad also puts on periodic themed trips, such as Pizza and Beer, wine and cheese, and trivia night train rides. After spending a few hours on the rails, stop by the Lebanon Library in the afternoon, a Carnegie Library that was established over a century ago in 1908.

Perrysburg

Fort Meigs, located in Perrysburg, played a crucial role in securing the Great Lakes region during the War of 1812. Today, it stands as one of the largest reconstructed log forts in the country. Visitors can explore artillery batteries, blockhouses, and a quartermaster’s building, allowing them to imagine life for soldiers in the 19th century.

Another noteworthy landmark in town is the Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve. This area is home to an old limestone quarry, artifacts, and unique geological features, all of which can be explored along various hiking trails.

If you are interested in learning how to make pottery or paint, consider taking a class at the 577 Foundation. This nonprofit art community offers workshops in pottery, studio arts, and fiber arts.

After discovering Ohio’s landmarks, visitors will likely want to add the state to their historic bucket list, alongside iconic places like Virginia and Massachusetts. Ohio's legacy extends beyond its involvement in US wars; it has also preserved significant economic milestones over the years, such as railways and riverboats. So, hop on a horse-drawn carriage or a historic steam train, and get ready to experience timeless towns in Ohio.