The Milford Center Prairie State Nature Preserve features prairie wildflowers and views of Treacle Creek. Before being a power line right-of-way for the Dayton Power and Light Company, this site was a railroad right-of-way. It is a very significant prairie remnant of the Darby Plains. Although only 1 ½ miles in length, the site supports at least 57 different species of prairie plants. The best time for viewing prairie wildflowers here is in late July through August. The nature preserve is approximately 2 ½ miles south of Milford Center along SR 4/US 36; proceed west on Connor Road, less than ½ mile to the power line right-of-way parking area.

Historic brick home and log cabin along SR 4/US 36.

The Culbertson Covered Bridge is located just east of Homer Road on Winget Road.. This 100’ bridge spans Treacle Creek and was built in 1868 by Reuben Partridge. The bridge was originally on USR 36, two miles from Milford Center. This bridge, located on a dead-end road features a small “run-around” which can be used except during flooding periods.
 

The Bigelow House built in 1846 by Russell Bigelow, one of the first pioneers to settle the tall grass prairie of the Darby Plains.

Located on the west side of Rosedale Road, just south of SR 161 in Madison County (Pike Township), is a beautiful nature preserve. The Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery Nature Preserve is a half acre pioneer cemetery and tall grass prairie remnant that was dedicated by the State of Ohio in 1978 as an interpretive nature preserve. Bigelow Cemetery exhibits significant elements of both cultural and natural history of west central Ohio. The first known burial was in 1814; the last in 1892. The area is one of the few remnants of the once extensive Darby Plains.

Bigelow Cemetery has never been plowed or grazed. It appears to be perched above the surrounding farm fields, a reflection of how much of the original prairie soil from these fields has been lost to wind and water erosion over the centuries.

The Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery Nature Preserve contains a number of significant prairie plants including big blue stem, Indian grass, purple coneflower, scurf pea, whorled rosin week and rough leaved goldenrod. The cemetery supports one of the few remaining populations in Ohio of royal catchfly, one of the state’s most spectacular wildflowers. The cemetery is open during daylight hours.

Summer blooming prairie wild flowers are at their peak from late July through August.
 

The Bigelow Covered Bridge over Little Darby Creek is also known as the Axe Handle Road Bridge. The bridge was named in honor of Eliphas Bigelow, who was a nearby resident. The bridge was built in 1873 by Reuben Partridge and spans 114’. The bridge has undergone extensive renovation. Be sure to check out the bridge inside the bridge.
 

Just north of Middleburg Pain City Road on Streng Road is the historic Streng Road Truss Bridge, built in 1914. Union County received special recognition for the renovation of this 200’steel Pratt Bridge in 1993. The bridge is officially listed as an Ohio Historic Bridge.

Mitchell Cemetery on SR 38 near Burns Road is the resting place of Mary Hawn the first female white child born in Ohio. Mary was born in 1791 and died in 1861. Adjacent to this cemetery is the St. Paul cemetery.