Welcome to “Cornering Ohio” where we share the best street corners in Ohio tourism!
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On the corner of Jackson Street and W. Washington Street in Sandusky, Ohio is the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Grab your popcorn, cotton candy, and wooden token — and take a ride through carousel history. The museum is housed in an old post office building which is, fittingly, rounded. Inside there are displays with hand-carved carousel horses and other animals. Visitors can ride the carousel. And at times, there are carvers at work on new carousel pieces.
The famous steps of Mt. Adams have a powerful lure for locals and internationally. What started as a Catholic tradition now includes the faithful the world over. Praying the steps for Easter is now a year-round practice for many. Take a step, put a new bead of the Rosary between your finger and thumb, and repeat. Or say your own set of prayers, adding a new one for each new step. Some just come to meditate on each step as they take an inward journey of their own. Eighty-five prayers later is the summit of the steep climb and the base of the Roman Catholic Immaculata Church, its steeple stretching skyward. Turn around, and a sprawling heavenly view reveals the skyline and majestic river of the “Queen City” – Cincinnati – in an eye-popping panoramic scene from high above.
A lady from Seattle was in town taking care of a friend’s dog while they traveled. She stopped to chat and offered insight into some of her favorite overlooks and other breathtaking views that Mt. Adams provides. She beamed a smile as if she were the city’s unofficial ambassador, even if for a short time.
Mt. Adams Steps at Holy Cross Immaculata Church have been a celebrated place of worship for more than 160 years. Since 1860, it has been the site of the annual Good Friday Pilgrimage, where the devout say prayers on each step to the summit. The “Church of the Steps” was built in 1859. The church and steps are near the corner of Pavilion Street and Guido Street. Click here to map your way to 30 Guido St. in Cincinnati’s Mt. Adams.
At the top of the steps, against the church, a plaque reveals the history: The “Church of the Steps” (Immaculata), built in 1859, was constructed from stone quarried from the slopes of Mt. Adams. Early it was known as the “Archbishop’s Church” in honor of Archbishop Purcell (1800 – 1883), who donated the land and supervised construction. It was conceived as a votive offering for his safety at sea during one of his many journeys to Europe. Since 1860, it has been the site of the annual Good Friday Pilgrimage, where the devout say prayers on each step to the summit. Originally the parish served the German-speaking Catholics of Mt. Adams. In 1970 it was consolidated with nearby Holy Cross Parish and is now known as Holy Cross Immaculata Church.
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler, Your Tour Guide to Fun
Ohio’s coziest theatre sits at the corner of Broadway and Jackson Street in Grove City.
The Painted Ladies of Cincinnati are Ohio’s version of San Francisco’s Painted Ladies.
These Queen City historic Victorian homes are located at the corner of Tusculum Avenue and Sachem Avenue in Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood of Columbia Tusculum, which dates to the 1700s.
For more “Cornering Ohio” sharing the best street corners in Ohio Tourism, click here.
On the corner of Fourth Street and Main Street in Mansfield is old-fashioned fun in a modern setting. Here, the Richland Carrousel Park has merry activities year-round.
When it opened in 1991, it was the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930s. Each of the 52 figures was carved by Carousel Works in Mansfield in the style of G.A. Dentzel, a famous carver of the 20th Century.
Take a ride for just a buck on any of the 52 hand-carved carrousel figures. Enjoy cotton candy, popcorn, slushes, and more. Look for special events around holidays throughout the year plus semi-annual Wine-d Down Wednesday Ladies Nights. Plan a birthday party or anniversary here for a very memorable experience.
The Richland Carrousel Park is located at 75 N. Main St. in Mansfield, Ohio (Map It). It is open daily from 11am – 5pm. For more information, call 419-522-4223 or visit https://www.richlandcarrousel.com/.
Play VideoThe world’s largest cuckoo clock as declared by the Guinness Book of World Records (1977 cover) is at the corner of Main and Broadway in Sugarcreek, Ohio – also known as “Little Switzerland of Ohio.” This giant cuckoo clock is operational from 9am – 9pm April through November. It measures 23 feet tall by 24 feet wide. On the half-hour, its cuckoo bird pops out, the band appears, and couples dance away to Swiss polka music. Click here to go to Ohio’s little Switzerland.
Welcome to “Cornering Ohio” where we share the best street corners in Ohio tourism!
If you mention the intersection of Memphis Avenue and Tiedeman Road to most Clevelanders you will probably evoke a big “Huh?” Until, that is, you mention Memphis Kiddie Park. The iconic children’s amusement park has been located where Tiedeman dead ends in Memphis for the past seven decades. Selling its first ticket on May 28, 1952, Memphis Kiddie Park was one of a few kiddielands in the greater Cleveland area. Over time, and for various reasons, all of the others shuttered, except for Memphis Kiddie Park which is still going strong. And thanks to I-480 and a busy cloverleaf at Tiedeman, Memphis Kiddie Park has never been more accessible to all of Northeast Ohio.
Memphis Kiddie Park is truly one-of-a-kind. Its whole point is to appeal to small children without the noise or intimidation of teenagers and adults found at larger theme parks. With 11 mechanized rides from a traditional Merry-Go-Round to North America’s oldest steel track kiddie coaster, the Little Dipper, one may think of Memphis Kiddie Park as the “training wheels for Cedar Point”. Add to that a miniature golf for the whole family and a concession stand featuring the best Hot Dogs and Funnel Cakes in the County. And, because Memphis Kiddie Park caters to small children, access is easy and affordable, parking is free, there is no gate fee for anyone, and rides are just one ticket per ride for each rider. If it’s too hot for your child or there are unexpected rain showers (it is Cleveland after all), no problem. Tickets never expire so you can come back as often as you like without the steep penalty of a gate fee and parking.
Click here to join the fun.
Welcome to “Cornering Ohio” where we share the best street corners in Ohio tourism!
On the corner of N. Broadway and Wilson Drive in Greenville, Ohio is The National Annie Oakley Center at Garst Museum. It houses the largest display of Annie Oakley items in the world. Learn who Annie really was, a petite and fashionable lady, instead of the Hollywood image depicting her as a tomboy in the Wild West. This gem of a museum is tucked away in her hometown. The gift shop has plenty of Oakley memorabilia that may make for great stocking stuffers. Nearby are a statue and gravesite for Annie Oakley.
Click here to plan your trip to see Annie.
At the corner of E. Maple St. and Cavalier Dr. in North Canton, Ohio, learn how a vacuum cleaner company helped win WWII.
A vibrant part of Walsh University, the story of the Hoover legacy unfolds in the Victorian Italianate-style farmhouse at the Hoover Historical Center. It’s a unique walk down memory lane in the boyhood home of William “Boss” Hoover, founder of The Hoover Company. Amid Victorian elegance, visitors view vintage vacuums, advertisements, ladies’ fashions, home décor, and war memorabilia. Interactives are available throughout the tour. Herb gardens enhance the grounds.
Plan your visit at https://www.ohiotraveler.com/hoover-historical-museum/
On the corner of Second Street and Locust Street in Ripley, Ohio is the three-story brick building that was built in the 1880s for the Ohio Valley Piano Forte Company. Now, it houses the “Olde Piano Factory Shoppes” and Brown County Magazine and is a part antique mall, and part museum.
Click here for more information about the Olde Piano Factory Shoppes.
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“Got Nothing Against The Big Town,”
but we’re cornering small-town Ohio.
Help us share the best corners in Ohio. You may submit a photo of your favorite corner in Ohio with a description under 300 words for publishing and posting consideration. Be sure to include a byline with photo credit. Send your submission to
“scoops at ohiotraveler.com”.
See More of Ohio “Cornered” at
https://www.ohiotraveler.com/cornering-ohio/
On the corner of Main Street and Third Street in Historic Zoar Village is Number One House (Kings Place), built in 1835, which is where you may visit the Zoar Museum.
The museum tells the story of a group of about 200 German Separatists seeking escape from religious persecution in their homeland and settled this community in 1817.
Learn more about the town, its history, and offerings today ranging from shopping, dining, gardens, and history all-around at https://www.ohiotraveler.com/zoar-village/.
* * *
“Got Nothing Against The Big Town,”
but we’re cornering small-town Ohio.
Help us share the best corners in Ohio. You may submit a photo of your favorite corner in Ohio with a description under 300 words for publishing and posting consideration. Be sure to include a byline with photo credit. Send your submission to
“scoops at ohiotraveler.com”.
See More of Ohio “Cornered” at
https://www.ohiotraveler.com/cornering-ohio/
On the corner of Grant Ave. and Broadway in Grove City is Little Theatre Off Broadway. It’s so tiny, the actors will meet every audience member before the night is through. You’ll love it!
The experience is so intimate that the last row is closer to the stage than the front row in many other theatres. There’s simply no better way to enjoy a live musical, comedy, or drama. It features six live shows per season, including two musicals, two comedies, and two dramas. It is known for big-time talent and small-town intimacy, where the actors get to know their audience.
Click here to learn more about the Little Theatre Off broadway.
* * *
“Got Nothing Against The Big Town,”
but we’re cornering small-town Ohio.
Help us share the best corners in Ohio. You may submit a photo of your favorite corner in Ohio with a description under 300 words for publishing and posting consideration. Be sure to include a byline with photo credit. Send your submission to
“scoops at ohiotraveler.com”.
See More of Ohio “Cornered” at
https://www.ohiotraveler.com/cornering-ohio/
For decades, I’ve been cruising State Route 83 in a hurry to visit my hometown. Every time, I slow down at the rural corner of Chatham Road and Avon Lake Road in Medina, Ohio (Chatham Township) to see the cool-looking old building with painted lettering across the weathered white wood façade: CHATHAM GENERAL STORE EST. 1854, followed by GOOSE & GANDER ICE CREAM PARLOR.
This time, I had time to spare so I pulled into the oversized gravel parking lot. ‘Oh, what story does this place have to tell,’ I wondered as I reached for my camera. As I took in the postcard view of Yesteryear, a couple of signs on the porch came into focus: “Bait” and “Maple Syrup.” Yep, it’s an authentic general store.
The building dates to 1834. And ever since 1854, it’s been a general store. Its neighbors used to be a blacksmith shop, tin shop, harness shop, millinery shop, tailor, and shoe repair store. But that was nearly 200 years ago just after the Chatham Oil Boom. My, how times have changed, but not this store.
I stepped inside and onto the worn wood floor I would soon learn is original and asked the lady at the counter, “Is this place yours?”
She smiled a welcome to my place kinda smile and said, “My husband Bill and I bought it a year ago at auction. My name is Beverly Scandlon.”
Bill used to frequent the store when he was a kid in the 1980s. He’d ride his bike up to get ice cream and play Pac-Man in the back of the place.
A vintage cash register caught my eye. It had a fancy design stamped into the brass that looked like it weighed over 100 pounds. Beverly said it was the first piece she and Bill purchased to begin the restoration of the original store. The cash register is one of the original National Cash Registers. They bought it from a great-great-granddaughter of a neighboring shoe keeper who used it back in 1869.
The Scandlons have since brought back an updated inventory, restoring the haberdashery with hats, wallets, coin purses, and handkerchiefs. The local goods room features honey from a nearby farm, soaps, kettle popcorn, and wheat and buckwheat pancake mix from a local mill. It also displays local artist works such as forged items candles, crafts, vintage signs, and Beverly’s own watercolor creations.
As the old sign out front promotes, the Scandlons also reopened the ice cream parlor. It serves Hershey’s Ice Cream in hand-dipped cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, and root beer or orange floats. Between the front counter and the old-time candy bins are metal stools standing high at a metal and wood-topped table for two.
Opposite the grocery aisle is a popular stop in the store that seems to offer anything and everything. Just follow the smell of fresh coffee, baked goods, and deli sandwiches (soup and chili, too). Whether it’s a bakery muffin with coffee, chicken salad on crescent, sub sandwiches on a deli roll, a “Hillbilly Hotdog,” or cupcakes to cream pie for dessert, Chatham General Store won’t disappoint. Hey, it’s where the locals go!
And being a place that offers a soup-to-nuts selection so-to-speak, a loop around the store will pass old cotton club wood crates, John Wayne and Bugs Bunny pictures, and other old Americana decor. There’s also a propane exchange, ice chest, lottery tickets, and ATM machine.
Beverly said in remembrance of her dad, she and Bill are expanding a section of the store called Grandpa’s Cabin. It’s a throwback offering fishing, hunting, and camping supplies.
“My Dad would have loved this store,” said Beverly, “It would remind him of the stores in West Virginia where he grew up.”
After I said my goodbye, Beverly shared that after a year of being the shopkeep of The Chatham General Store, she still enjoys hearing the creak of the original wood floors and the slam of the screen door on a summer day.
As the Scandlon’s forge into the future of their general store, they invite everyone to “Step into the past…”
By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler. Your Tour Guide to Fun
