With hundreds of attractions spread throughout the region, you'll be sure to find many treasures for you and your family to enjoy. Just click on the links below for a taste of the wonderful attractions for you to visit.

This tour was created to honor all of Ohio’s pioneers—from those who fought for this land during the 1700’s during Ohio’s Indian Wars—to the German Catholic immigrants who settled in Ohio and built the “spires to heaven” and helped dig the Miami-Erie Canals—to 20th Century pioneers like Neil Armstrong! “Blazin’ Trails” is a tribute to Ohio’s Frontier spirit! This tour highlights some of Ohio’s heroes and the landmarks which they left behind...

Our first stop will be in Auglaize County in Wapakoneta. We’ll visit the Museum built to honor one of Ohio’s Astronaut Pioneers, Neil Armstrong—the first man to walk on the moon! The Armstrong Air & Space Museum was founded in 1972 by the Ohio Historical Society, and named in honor of Wapakoneta pioneering native Neil Armstrong. The museum chronicles Ohioans’ contributions to the history of flight and new horizons in space travel including the space shuttle program and the International Space Station. One can see a moon rock and the Gemini VIII spacecraft. The museum’s Astro-Theater presents the sights and sounds of space. Recent renovations include the addition of interactive exhibits with a space shuttle landing simulator and a lunar landing simulator.

Hours: The museum is open year round and has special group rates. Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays and holidays, noon to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. For more information, contact the Auglaize/Mercer CVB at 800-860-4726.

Westward into Logan County, our journey takes us to the historic town of Bellefontaine. Our first stop will be The Orr Mansion & Logan County Historical Society & Museum. In 1906, lumber baron William J. Orr began to build his dream home in Bellefontaine. The Orr Mansion, a part of the Logan County Museum, was completed in 1908 at a cost $40,000. Today, this beautiful historic mansion houses many exhibits from Ohio’s pioneer days including: American Indian and Early Pioneer exhibit (containing artifacts from the Paleo Indians c. 9500 B.C. through the 1830’s), One-room Schoolhouse, General Store, Railroad History and Military memorabilia. Logan County also played a vital role in the Underground Railroad with over 100 stations in the county.

Volunteers can guide your group through the museum, if you wish. Group reservations are required. Donations requested. For more information, contact the Logan County VB at 888-564-2626.

Next, we’ll travel southeast from Bellefontaine to Piatt Castles! The Piatt Castles are two nineteenth-century homes built by the pioneering Piatt brothers. The Mac-A-Cheek Castle houses original collections of the Piatt family, and Mac-O-Chee Castle is known for its unique architecture. Imagine growing up in a limestone castle decorated with elaborate woodwork and intricately painted ceilings! Investigate the contributions made by individuals from each generation to the fields of art, literature, science and politics. Explore how the Piatts’ lives have illustrated major themes in American history. You’ll be lead through both Castles by a knowledgeable guide and given plenty of time to shop in their gift shop!

Location: The Castles are located approximately 1 and 2 miles east of West Liberty on St. Rt. 245. Hours: open daily from April 1 through October 31. Christmas program runs from Thanksgiving weekend through December. Spring and Autumn hours are noon to 4:00 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cost: Adults, $6.00 Seniors $5, Students $4, Children $3 per castle. The guided tours require approximately 45-50 minutes per home and group rates are available. Reservations required. For more information, contact the Logan County VB at 888-564-2626.

From Logan County, our journey takes us south into Champaign County. Have you every wondered if Johnny Appleseed was a real person? Is his story a tall tale? Why did he plant all of those apple trees? You’ll find out at your next stop! On the Urbana University’s campus, The Johnny Appleseed Society and Museum was founded to further Johnny’s appreciation for education, our country, the environment, peace, moral integrity and leadership. Johnny was a missionary for the Swedenborgian Church that founded Urbana University, and that is why Urbana University is home to the Museum dedicated to his memory. The Museum, located in Bailey Hall on the Urbana University campus, houses one of the largest collection of written memorabilia and artifacts on Johnny Appleseed known to exist anywhere! Your group will see a slide presentation that traces Johnny’s actual route from Massachusetts to Ohio and onto Indiana. You’ll learn why every town where Johnny stopped claimed him as their own. Johnny was a friend to all—pioneers, Indians and all of Mother Nature’s creatures.

Location: Urbana University Campus in Urbana. Fee: Donations requested. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Other times by appointment. Reservations required. Bailey Hall is undergoing construction and will re-open in the Fall of 2003. Until that time, the Museum is being housed at 116 S. Main Street. For more information, contact the Champaign County VB: 877-873-5764.

Next, we’ll learn about Ohio’s ecological development at Cedar Bog in Champaign County. Here we’ll take a step back in time. For 18,000 years or more, the Bog has been quietly accumulating the plants that have taken over the landscape of Ohio. From the Ice Age, the Bog has cedars, sedges, and orchids that were living just ahead of the advancing ice. These plants remained because of the cool water. A great dry period followed, and in from the West came the prairie. Some of those plants stayed at the bog, and in other poorly drained areas in Ohio. The final invasion came from the great hardwood forest, elms, ashes, beeches and maples.

Cedar Bog is the First Nature Preserve in Ohio, established by the state more than 60 years ago. Every season features a different type of natural beauty. There is a carpet of wildflowers in spring, April to mid May. Late May, early June brings the largest orchid in the state into bloom right beside the trail. July has the prairie flowers, with the heat and mosquitoes. August-September brings more asters into bloom than the wildflowers of spring.

Cedar Bog is operated by the Ohio Historical Society, and is open Wednesday thru Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Groups receive discounted rates with reservations. For more information, contact the Champaign County VB: 877-873-5764.

We’ll continue our journey of Ohio’s Historic West in Clark County at the Pennsylvania House Museum in Springfield. Built in the 1820's, this restored stagecoach stop and Inn was Dr. Isaac Funk's home as a boy (founder of Funk & Wagnall’s). The House boasts a great collection of period memorabilia including a doll collection and the Grace Porter button collection, one of the largest in the country. Representative of an era in American history, this fine, old Federal structure stands at the junction of the National Road and the old Dayton-Springfield Pike. The National Road was one of the main trails of the westward-bound pioneers in the early 1800's. Along this road many inns sprang up; the Pennsylvania House is one of only a few that has endured from that time in our Nation's history.

Location: 1311 West Main Street, Springfield. Fees: $3.00 per person. Hours: The Pennsylvania House will open up for group tours by special appointment. Please contact the Clark County/Springfield Area CVB for more information: 800-803-1553.

The Heritage Center of Clark County is our next stop in Ohio’s pioneer history. A century-old City Hall and Marketplace has been transformed into the brand-new state-of-the-art Heritage Center of Clark County. Discover stories of America's Heartland among the priceless mementos assembled to open an exciting window on seven generations of fascinating history. Experience the Heartland's history with exhibits on transportation, agriculture, military, advertising, National Road, and more. This is an exhibit we won't want to miss--Springfield's Smithsonian!

Location: 117 S. Fountain Avenue, Springfield. Fee: Donations requested. Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please contact the Clark County/Springfield Area CVB for more information: 800-803-1553.

Next we’ll travel northwest into Miami County’s Tipp City, or “Old Tippecanoe” as it was known during the days of the Miami-Erie Canal. Do you remember William Henry Harrison’s Presidential slogan “Tippecanoe & Tyler too?” In this historic town, we can still see the remnants of the old canal on the east side of town, beside the Tipp Roller Mill. The Tipp Roller Mill is no longer a functioning mill, but it still hops on a Saturday night with local entertainment!

In Old Tippecanoe, we’ll take a guided walking tour by the Tipp City Historical Society, and learn about the 89 buildings which are listed on the National Register. Don’t forget to allow plenty of time to shop in Tipp’s specialty shops! These quaint old buildings have a lot of history, but today they’re part of the thriving downtown shopping district of Tipp City.

Suggested donation for Historical Society Tour is $1 per person. For more information, contact the Miami County VCB at 800-348-8993.

Where exactly did the Miami-Erie Canal go? What were the canal boats like? How did an 1800’s farm home operate? Which tribes of Native American Indians settled in Ohio first? What did their clothes and tools look like? Did they really live in teepees in Ohio? All of these questions will be answered at your next stop at the Piqua Historical Area State Memorial, a 200-acre Ohio Historical Society attraction which was the home of John Johnston, a farmer, public official and United States Indian Agent for western Ohio from 1812 to 1829. We’ll tour through Johnston's two-story mixed Dutch Colonial/Georgian style farmhouse, a unique two-story spring house and a cider house. Costumed docents provide guided tours of the farmhouse, the summer kitchen and fruit kiln areas.

Not far from Johnston's farm (but also at the Piqua Historical Area State Memorial) is a modern Woodland Indian & Canal Museum, which was constructed to resemble the blockhouse style of Fort Piqua, General Anthony Wayne's 18th century supply post. In 2001, the museum was renovated with updated exhibits that trace the story of the Eastern Woodland Indians of Ohio and the newly acquired Fort Pickawillany site. Artifacts from Ohio's canal era are also on exhibit. After touring through the farm home and the Museum, make sure to take a ride aboard the General Harrison of Piqua, a replica 70 foot-long mixed cargo canal boat! These boats were often used for transportation of passengers and cargo in the 19th century. The ride is so serene and beautiful that you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

Location: N. Hardin Rd., off Rt. 66 in Piqua. Fee: $4.50 per person. Hours: Open to groups by appointment—however, the canal boat does not run in the winter. For more information about the General Harrison canal boat ride, Johnston Farm, and the Woodland Indian & Canal Museum, contact the Miami County VCB at 800-348-8993. All three of these attractions are housed in the Piqua Historical Area State Memorial.

We’ll begin today’s activities in the historic town of Greenville in Darke County. Did you know that Darke County is the home of the world famous sharp shooting legend, Annie Oakley? As you drive into downtown Greenville, you’ll pass the statue of Annie which sits at the end of South Broadway. Greenville has a festival every July called “Annie Oakley Days” which celebrates “Little Sure Shot!”

Do you know what the “Treaty of Greene Ville” was, and what famous people signed it? You’ll learn this and so much more at The Garst Museum! The Garst Museum was named after the family who donated the property to the Darke County Historical Society in 1946 to be used as a museum. The Darke County Historical Society continues to operate this large museum which features the largest known collection of memorabilia on Annie Oakley; memorabilia and artifacts from the world famous radio broadcaster Lowell Thomas, along with historic artifacts relating to “Mad” Anthony Wayne, The Treaty of Greene Ville, Tecumseh, Fort St. Clair, Ft. Jefferson, Fort Greene Ville, and an extensive collection of uniforms from each American war. Be sure to visit the gift shop for literature and souvenirs representing on the people and history found in the museum... and to take home memorabilia from this exciting visit!

Guests should allow 2 hours to enjoy the wonders of the Garst Museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. during the months of March through November. During the months of December and February, hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed the entire month of January. Restrooms are plentiful and motorcoach parking is available. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, contact: The Darke County VB at 800-504-2995.

We’ll continue our journey through Darke County’s frontier history at the Anthony Wayne Peace Council House in Greenville City Park, across from the Garst Museum. This building is an exact replica of the last known council house located near Lima, Ohio. Our Native American guide, Susan Gray, will explain: why General “Mad” Anthony Wayne converted a log structure into a council house for the 13 Woodland Indian tribes; who signed the first Treaty of Greene Ville and why a second treaty had to be signed; and the lifestyle of the Woodland Indians. Mrs. Gray will also tell us the story of life and cultural differences between the Woodland tribes and the White Man in 1795. The “Flint & Steel Demonstration” is the coming together of these two cultures. Mrs. Gray will perform this ceremony for our group.

Timing: Allow 1 hour for the presentation. Restrooms are plentiful and motorcoach parking is available. Fee: $5 per person. Contact The Darke County Visitors Bureau at 800-504-2995 for more information.

From Greenville, let’s travel north into Mercer County, where we’ll visit the Fort Recovery State Museum in Ft. Recovery. In late 1791, Miami Indians defeated General Arthur St. Clair's forces at this site along the Wabash River. Nearly three-quarters of St. Clair's men were killed or wounded in the Indian attack. In late 1793, General Anthony Wayne sent a force to build a four-blockhouse post named Recovery at the site of St. Clair's defeat. It was completed in March of 1794 and on June 30 of that year General Wayne's army defeated a huge Indian force. This set the stage for Wayne's final triumph at Fallen Timbers in August of 1794.

Two reconstructed blockhouses, a connecting stockade and many exhibits depicting the Indian wars of the 1790's are housed in the museum. The museum also includes mannequins dressed in the uniforms of the 18th Century American soldiers, period weapons and one of the largest collections of Indian artifacts in the state of Ohio. An 1840 log cabin and blacksmith shop are nearby.

Location: In Ft. Recovery at the intersection of State Routes 119 & 49. Fee: Donations requested. Hours: Open to group tours any time of year by appointment. For more information, contact the Auglaize/Mercer County CVB at 800-860-4726.

A relaxing drive through one of Ohio’s Scenic Byways – The Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches is next on our agenda. Towering above the gently rolling farmland of West Central Ohio are seemingly endless spires topped with crosses proclaiming their place on earth and rising toward the heavens. Visitors stare in wonderment. Local residents accept them as the precious part of their everyday existence. For with locals, this is the way it has always been.

Now known as “The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches”, this grouping of churches, schools, rectories and convents in Mercer County was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July of 1979. The grouping is symbolic of the cultural and historic uniqueness of the region. These buildings represent the German Catholic settlements of Auglaize and Mercer Counties, as well as portions of northern Darke and Shelby Counties. Today, most of these structures remain to remind us of the hard work and dedication of these early settlers as they built the Miami-Erie Canal and forged a new life on the area’s rich and productive farmland. A drive along this route includes stops at the focal points of the region: the former convent at Maria Stein which includes the Maria Shrine of the Holy Relics and the Heritage Museum, St. Augustine Church – the former Mother Church of the area at Minster and St. Charles Center – the magnificent and impressive former seminary at Carthagena.

For more information, please contact the Auglaize/Mercer County CVB at 800-860-4726.

From Mercer County, we’ll travel eastward into Shelby County to visit The Fort Loramie Wilderness Trail Museum. Located in historic Fort Loramie, Ohio, the Wilderness Trail Museum stands along the banks of the Miami-Erie Canal. The red-brick two story museum was built in 1853 and was used for many years as a boardinghouse and hotel by travelers on the canal who were taking goods from Toledo and Cincinnati via canal boat. Today, the museum is the home of many artifacts and memorabilia from the area and is operated by the Fort Loramie Historical Association.

For more information, contact the Sidney Visitor's Bureau at 866-892-9122 (Shelby County) or visit www.VisitSidneyShelby.com.

We continue our journey through Shelby County, stopping at the Ross Historical Center, owned and operated by the Shelby County Historical Society, in Sidney. The Center, only a couple of blocks south of the Miami-Erie Canal Feeder, was once home to William Haslup, local industrialist, who owned and operated the Sidney Steel Scraper Company.

The local historical society's home is Shelby County's center for local
history. Visitors from outside the area and locals alike will enjoy
permanent exhibits on display all year round as well as special feature
exhibits that change throughout the year. The Center also hosts an
impressive research center with computer access to a variety of information
on local history, genealogy, photos, and stories.

The Ross Historical Center is open year round and is free to the public, donations are requested for group tours: A tour guide is available upon request. Motor coach parking is available. Advance reservations are required. Hours: Open to group tours by appointment. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact the Sidney Visitor's Bureau at 866-892-9122 (Shelby County) or visit www.VisitSidneyShelby.com.

       Ohio's Historic West booth at Heartland Showcase, 2003

Ohio’s Historic West is a not for profit organization comprised of 8 counties in West Central Ohio, including; Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami and Shelby. Ohio’s Historic West is the story of our American Experience as illustrated by our cultural and ethnic diversity, family farms, historic freedoms and liberties, rural lifestyle, scenic beauty, ingenious industrial innovations, hometown heroes, patterns of development and settlement, small town charms, and spirit of community.

                                                                   We invite you to experience

Ohio's Historic West!

Take the Journey!

Ohio's Historic West
Consisting of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami and Shelby counties.