Fair at New Boston

New Boston Fair Musicians

Autumn at the Estel Wenrick Wetlands

Winter at the Estel Wenrick Wetlands

The Davidson Interpretive Center  includes interpretive displays and educational programs about the Revolutionary War's battle of Pekuwe (August 8, 1780) and the Shawnee Village of Pekuwe. 

Daniel Hertzler House - 930 S. Tecumseh Rd. Built in 1854, a Pennsylvania Style Bank House furnished in the 1850’s. Tours available call 882-6000 to schedule. 

The Lower Valley Pike Scenic Byway is home to an array of cultural, historical and recreational opportunities that will connect you with our community’s past, present and future.  Welcome to the beginning of a great journey.   The mighty Mad River shadows Lower Valley Pike and is embraced by limestone cliffs and riparian woodlands. The river is open to canoeing and fishing, and Aaron’s Canoe Livery affords an enjoyable afternoon on the river in most seasons.  George Rogers Clark Park is 250 acres of green meadows, shade trees, wildlife and a lake with a small waterfall. It is perfect for picnics, hiking and observing nature. Fishing for all ages is permitted in Hosterman Lake, no license required. The park is the site of the largest battle of the Revolutionary War west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the Fair at New Boston held annually during Labor Day weekend gives a glimpse of life during the 18^th century. The Hertzler House, located on the grounds of George Rogers Clark Park, is the 19^th century home of Daniel and Catharine Hertzler, early pioneers of Clark County. The house has an air of mystery centering on the unsolved murder of Daniel Hertzler in the house. Admission is charged. The 167-acre Estelle Wenrick Wetlands Preserve is a high quality wetland park with mature woods and wetlands flora. Spangler Road divides the site, with entrances and parking at the corner of Lower Valley and Spangler Road in Medway, and on Union Road south of Lower Valley. The park is adjacent to the Mad River and has an elevated trail traversing the eastern portion of the preserve from one parking area to the other. The area west of Spangler Road is open to the public but less accessible.

Fishing at Mad River

 Daniel Hertzler House and the Battle of Piqua

The Journey Begins.... Retirement home of farmer Fredrick Croft - Circa 1870

Lower Valley Pike has been named the state’s 18th scenic byway, displaying all six intrinsic qualities that could qualify it for this honor. Those six qualities are: scenic, natural, historical, cultural, recreational, and/or archeological significance.  The official dedication was held Oct. 13 in Medway, with a reception at 3:00 p.m. in All-Seal’s showroom and the ribbon cutting at 4:00 p.m. in the new Medway Town Park.  Thanks to Dixie Gergal, chair of the Lower Valley Pike Scenic Byway Steering Committee, and members Jim Campbell, Bob Jurick, Joyce Dressler, Thea Walsh, Kate Hoffmann, Shane Farnsworth, Nancy Brown, and Elizabeth Chumlea, for their work over a period of more than two years to accomplish this.   The process began with an idea to recognize the history of this road and the heritage along it, then progressed to a request to the state and an initial nod of approval by Paul Staley, head of the ODOT byways program. A corridor management plan had to be written, and several open houses were held to get citizen input. The plan was submitted for approval, and now it must be implemented over the long term.  For additional celebration photos please follow this link. 

• Daniel Hertzler House - 930 S. Tecumseh Rd. Built in 1854, a Pennsylvania Style Bank House furnished in the 1850’s. Tours available call 882-6000 to schedule. 

• Estel Wenrick Wetlands-  2855 Union Road.  The entrance is on Union Road, 1/4 mile south of Lower Valley Pike. It is 147 acres of woods, trails and wet terrain suitable for the study of aquatic life and wildlife.  This natural area is sensitive.  Please stay on the trail.

• George Rogers Clark Historic Park - a 248 acre park & historic site of the largest Revolutionary War Battle Site west of Alleghenies. The park includes: picnicking, hiking, fishing, without a license (Hosterman Lake), and non-motorized boating. Accessible fishing is available at the Accessible Observation Deck on Hosterman Lake. 

• War for Independence in the Ohio Valley   July 17 & 18 2004 - A series of annual living history events 2001-2005. The George Rogers Clark Heritage Association sponsors the Illinois Regiment in mid July. Events depict activities building up to the Battle of Peckuwe. A donation of $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children 6-12. Parking free. Meet at the front gate of GRC Park.

• Fair at New Boston September 4 & 5, Labor Day Weekend 2004   10am - 6pm - Presented by the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association (GRCHA).  The park is closed for the event.  Join the 1000 costumed participants as they help visitors learn about life in the years between 1790 and 1810.  Admission for adults $7, children (6 to 12) $2, and children under 6 are free.  Parking is free just outside the park.  The Hertzler house will be open each afternoon with guided tours.  A fee of $3 is charged for the tour of this historic home. For additional information click here.

• POW WOW   Fall 2004 - Conducted by the Ohio Native Ancestral Association, this will be an inter-tribal gathering of Native Americans. Activities will include tribal dancing,  singing, native foods, and vendors. The event will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3, $2 for Seniors 62 and over and Free for children under age 12.

• Haunted Trail     October 2004 

  Sponsored by the Friends of the Clark County Park District with support from the GRCHA, WIHS and the HHC.  Take a candlelight tour of the Tecumseh Trail through the old growth forest and maybe you will see some scary characters from olden times.  (No chainsaws)  The trail is steep in some areas so baby carriages are discouraged.  Snacks are available.  Admission is $3, children under 6 are free.  Meet at the parking lot below the dam.  Parking is free.

• Frontier Harvest Festival  - October  2004 - Presented by the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association.  Fall preparations for the coming winter that include hog butchering and rendering,  soap & candle making,  fabric & yarn dyeing, quilting & needlework, hands on learning activities, hunter's camp, live entertainment, market period foods & beverages available.  Admission is $2, children  under 6 are free.  Parking is free.  Follow the signs to the Gathering House just inside the park.

• Hertzler House Christmas   November 2004  - The house located at George Rogers Clark Park, 930 South Tecumseh Rd. in Springfield. The event includes an auction and exhibit of original Christmas trees and wreaths, produced by local noted artists, a tour of the house and refreshments. The admission is $5.00 and the event is sponsored by the Hertzler House Advisory Committee.  For information call 937-882-6000.

• Vintage Base Ball  June 13 at 1:00 p.m  The Champion City Reapers will host the Sycamore Grasshoppers in a match of Vintage 1860's Base Ball at the Davidson Interpretive Center on Sunday June 13 at 1:00 p.m.  The game is free of charge and open to the public. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

• The Little Miami Scenic Trail, built in 1998 and dedicated in 1999, has brought an exciting new form of transportation / recreational facility to Clark Countians and our visitors. Its path, along the old Little Miami Railway, has been paved to accommodate cross country skiing, roller blading, walking, horseback riding and bicycling. This is the northern most portion of a 70 mile trail from Milford, Ohio to Springfield. The Little Miami Scenic Trail is designated at part of the state-wide Buckeye Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail

• Buck Creek Trail   The Buck Creek Trail portion was built in 1999 and dedicated in 2000 as an extension of the larger Little Miami Scenic Trail. This beautiful wooded trail follows Buck Creek from North Limestone Street to Pumphouse Road near Buck Creek State Park.  A state grant has been approved to increase this connection through Old Reid Park and Buck Creek State Park.  It is to be completed within the next 18 months.

• The Simon Kenton Trail connects to the Buck Creek Trail, across the creek from the new Stadium, over an abandoned rail bridge, north on the rail line past North High School, under Home Road, on to Villa Road Staging area, then north to the Soccer Field Spur and all the way to Route 55 in Champaign County. The trail is 11.2 miles in length and in 2004 Phases 3 and 4 will complete the trail at both ends. 

Byway Highlight:  Hertzler House