Located along Broadway just outside downtown Jackson, there is a historical marker here and that's…read morewhat caught my eye. And then the very quiet and peaceful and well kept cemetery. The front of the marker reads, "Major John James (1772-1854) established James Cemetery in 1828 on and around a Native American mound that is the only significant ancient mound remaining in the city of Jackson. The mound is about 70 feet in diameter and nearly six feet tall. In the late 1800s, this mound comprised one point of three ancient mound groups forming a triangular configuration along East Broadway Street, formerly known as James Street. One group was a few hundred feet northeast of here on the Watson farm and a second was just to the northwest on the Warnicke farm. These mounds were built by the Hopewell Culture, prominent in southern Ohio from about 100 BC to 400 AD. Major James, his wife, and several immediate family members are buried on the mound including Jackson County pioneers Andrew Long, Daniel Hoffman, and David Mitchell." And the reverse, "John James arrived in Marietta in 1788 with his parents and siblings, some of the first settlers of the Northwest Territory. His father was a member of Rufus Putnam's Ohio Company and the family lived in a blockhouse near Belpre. In 1791, his brother William was one of twelve settlers killed at the Big Bottom Massacre, a tragedy that touched off the Indian Wars. During that time, the James family retreated to what became Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River, where they built another blockhouse, later bought by Harman Blennerhassett who built a mansion nearby in 1798. Major James became a renowned Indian scout and explored what would become Jackson County. He settled here in 1807 and as a prominent salt boiler became for a time the "proprietor" of the Salt Licks. He went on to become an early Ohio legislator and the first treasurer of Jackson County." Marker number 6-40 was erected in 2007 by Jackson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, Carl Coyan Companies, Stockmeister Enterprises, City of Jackson, Time Warner Cable, and The Ohio Historical Society. There is room to park here and wander. [Review 931 of 2026 - 310 in Ohio - 26111 overall]

This marker tells a lot of history of the goings on here in Washington Court House at the Fayette…read moreCounty Court House. It's worth a stop and even more so if you can do it during business hours when the courthouse is open. On the one side, "On October 16, 1894, a crowd gathered outside the courthouse with intent to lynch alleged attacker William "Jasper" Dolby. Governor William McKinley ordered Ohio National Guard troops sent in to subdue the crowd. The mob was initially thwarted, but on October 17, while Dolby awaited transportation from the jail to the courthouse, the riots intensified. Despite Dolby's guilty plea to rape and a 20-year sentence, the crowd sought vengeance. They rushed the courthouse doors, and were warned to "disperse or be fired upon." They ignored the warning and continued to batter the doors. Colonel Alonzo B. Coit ordered his troops to fire through the courthouse doors; five men were killed. Colonel Coit was indicted for manslaughter and was acquitted at trial. After the trial, Governor McKinley stated, "The law was upheld as it should have been...but in this case at fearful cost... Lynching cannot be tolerated in Ohio." The bullet holes are still visible in the south doors of the courthouse." On the reverse, "Opened on May 1, 1885, this is the third Fayette County Court House building. Ohio artist Archibald Willard, who is best known for the patriotic painting, "The Spirit of '76," was commissioned by the firm Cooks Brothers to do painting and fresco work for the interior walls of the courthouse. Willard did not sign his work and the artist's identity remained a mystery for nearly 75 years until confirmation was made in August 1956. The artist's name was cleverly disguised in the delivery address of the letter in "The Spirit of the U.S. Mail" mural. The other primary murals, "Spirit of Electricity" and "Spirit of the Telegraph," adorn the third floor corridor." It is marker number 1-24 and it was erected in 2002 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Fayette County Travel and Tourism Bureau, and The Ohio Historical Society. [Review 950 of 2026 - 328 in Ohio - 26129 overall]

The Ross County Courthouse in Chillicothe is a mid 19th century Green Revival landmark completed in…read more1859, designed by architects Edward Collins and Charles Autenrieth of Philadelphia. Its red brick massing, Greenfield Dolomite veneer and Corinthian-columned portico give it a highly formal and classical presence, while the later cupola and clock (added in 1867) complete the period look. Walking around it on an afternoon weekday with red, white and blue holiday bunting draped across the facade only heightens the courthouse's patriotic feel, and the best view is really from across the street where the portico and tower stand unobstructed. Ross County was founded in 1798 and named for James Ross, a Federalist US Senator from Pennsylvania. Chillicothe, the county seat, was founded in 1796 and takes its name from the Shawnee word "Chala-ka-tha", meaning "principal town," a term used for the main settlement of one division of the Shawnee people. The courthouse's prominent position in the center of town reflects Chillicothe's early importance as both the first and third capital of Ohio, and even today the building carries that sense of historical weight as you circle its grounds. [Review 942 of 2026 - 321 in Ohio - 26122 overall]

The Fayette County Courthouse in Washington Court House is a striking Second Empire landmark…read morecompleted in 1885 and designed by David W. Gibbs & Company. Gibbs is also responsible for the Union County Courthouse in Marysville, the Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton and the Henry County Courthouse in Napoleon. He also was the architect chosen to design the original Wyoming territorial capitol which became the state capitol when Wyoming entered the Union. The building is three-stories tall with a Bedford limestone exterior, arched windows, Ionic-columned porticos and a tall clock tower that give it a grant, almost monumental presence in the center of town. I didn't get to see the interior murals by Archibald Willard, but the gazebo outside and memorial outside made the visit worthwhile. Fayette County was formed in 1810 and named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who fought in the American Revolution. The county seat was originally Bloomingburg, but it moved to Washington Court House in 1812, where it has remained ever since. Even without going inside, the courthouse's scale and architectural detail make it an impressive stop, especially when you can walk the grounds in quiet late-day sunlight. [Review 948 of 2026 - 326 in Ohio - 26127 overall]

A pleasant park with several memorials, and a new elm planted where the Logan Elm was. Small…read moreshelterhouse. No real parking lot; pull off the circular drive. Read the markers and ponder the history. Logan's speech, short but touching, is on the main marker.

How has this not been reviewed already? It's an amazing museum…read more I came often as a kid since my grandparents lived nearby. It was just in one house then, a pretty typical small-town historical society with stuff crammed in display cases, and filling every room down to the basement. Cool for a history buff, but nothing spectacular. We went yesterday as part of the Ohio Statehood Day events, and, wow. They have added the house next door, and an addition in the back, and it is now an incredible museum. The volunteers were very friendly and knowledgeable. The displays are beautiful and informative. All aspects of local history are covered. There are train sets, dolls, military artifacts, cars, covered wagons... All sorts of things, nicely restored. During our visit there was old-time music, a special display of early American weapons, costumed interpreters, etc. They said they decorate for Christmas with historical toys and decorations. We had a great visit and stayed till closing time. I would set aside at least an hour, better 2 or 3. This is a local gem, and worth a detour from anywhere in the state.

The tour offered an extensive amount of information on the history of Serpent Mound. It was neat…read morewalking the sidewalk around the mound and climbing the tower for the view.

When we were visiting family they thought we might enjoy coming here. It's kind of cool place with…read morenice trails to walk and to go around the mound itself is not a long or strenuous walk. There is what appears to be a look out that doesn't really have anything special to see. The observation deck that would allow you to see the entire mound is in disrepair and unusable at this time. There is a cute little gift shop with some museum items in the back. Can't say it's worth coming out of your way too much for, but if you're nearby and like hiking it would be nice. Plenty of parking and there was no one at the gate when we were there and it was free.

Seip Earthworks is part of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park administered by the…read moreNational Park Service. The Visitor Center for the park is located at the Mound City Group, and this is a short drive from there. There is a small parking lot located near a shelter house with picnic tables. You can see the large reconstructed mound from there, and it's easy to find your way towards it. Unfortunately, much of this great site has been lost to time and agriculture, so we found it helpful to refer to the map of the area, so we could get a better idea of how everything was once situated. There are outlines of the remnants of buildings that can be viewed. The mound is very impressive to gaze up at and think about how it was accomplished. There is also a hiking trail out near Paint Creek at the site. Several interpretive signs are also available, which are very helpful for better understanding the history of the area.

Tony and I was on our way to Bainsbridge, Ohio to see the Highland Sanctuary Preservation and to…read morehike among the rock formations. I didn't realize that this Indian Mound was going to be here so It was a very nice surprise. It is FREE to enjoy! There are plenty of signs with tons of information. There is a nice parking lot and a picnic area with shelter available. We parked at the lot and read the signs. There is a gravel road leading back to the mound but the gate on it was locked. So we just parked and walked back there. It was very early in the morning so we were absolutely alone accept for a few squirrels. This is a large park area with plenty of areas to play a ballgame if you wanted!!