 |
| Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area - **Photos © Leslie Dellovade, ODOT |
 |
Historical Qualities
Everybody has their history to share, about their community, their family, their good times; we too have all of those, but we also have a living heritage. People traveling our historic scenic byways can actually experience a time already past. In addition to museums that authentically preserve the past and are listed on the Local Attractions Section, the Amish Country Byway is home to many remarkable historic sites and claims. The following are but a few:
- site of the northernmost skirmish of the Civil War, Fort Fizzle
- oldest family run clothing store in America, Maxwell Brothers on Main Street in Millersburg
- first paved road in Ohio, Port Washington Rd. in Millersburg
- world's largest cuckoo clock at Alpine Alpa
- world's largest Amish buggy at Wendell August Forge
- oldest operating woolen mill in America, Rastetter's, in operation since 1840
- center of Ohio's Swiss cheese Industry, birth of 'Guggisberg's original Baby Swiss cheese'
- birthplace of Troyer's Trail bologna, in the family business for 5 generations
- Greenville Treaty Line
- Ohio's historic buffalo trail, along State Route 39
- Underground Railroad sites along State Route 83
- 18 sites on the National Historic Register
- Millersburg Glass Company
- numerous 150 year old churches and cemeteries
- Martin's Creek mastodon
Many of our byway corridors actually began as Indian trails criss-crossing the county. The travelers may have changed, but the scenery that was there still remains.
Natural Qualities
The Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, 5,492 acres, is the largest freshwater marsh in Ohio. It not only provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife, it adds to recreational opportunities in concert with nature for residents and visitors alike.
The terminal moraine runs west to east across the county paralleling State Route 39. As the edge of the glacial activity, the terminal moraine has provided many interesting geological formations, including large rock cliffs and small, deep lakes in the northwest corner of the county.
The kames, eskers, ground moraine and moraine can be found throughout the northern part of the county, while rock shelter and train remnants can be found throughout the southern portion of the county.
Briar Hill Stone is the largest sandstone quarry in operation in the United States, located just off State Route 520 outside of Glenmont in southwestern Holmes County. As the operations are visible from the windshield, don't miss this hidden treasure along Ohio's Amish Country Scenic Byways.
In the early years of the settlement of Holmes County, Ohio, the upper edge of the ‘terminal moraine'- what is today the northern edge of Appalachia - was the access for horses, wagons, carriages, and livestock to the county and other roadways. Basically that has not changed today. There are now automobiles, buses and trucks moving along our byway, but so still are the horses and buggies, carts and livestock.
Recreational Qualities
From active to passive, for nature lovers or book lovers - there are points of interest, attractions, and services along the Amish Country Byway for everyone. Nature lovers and those with a passion for the outdoors can enjoy year round activities on and off the byway. Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, motor sport activities, rodeos, horseback riding, tennis, golfing, canoeing, swimming, hunting, fishing, boating and power shopping are all featured opportunities.
Slow it down a bit with dining, carriage rides, hay rides, sled rides, sleigh rides, antiquing, hot air balloon rides, airplane rides, birdwatching, walking trails, interpretive nature trails, photography, Amish homestead & farm tours, picnicking, and shopping. Go even slower with reservations at a rustic or luxurious retreat, a locally owned bed and breakfast, country inn, or cottage. Bring a favorite book or find a novelty title at one of our many unique cultural bookstores throughout the county.
The Holmes County Trails, partially opened in 1999 to bicycles, hikers, and buggies is already becoming a "must recreate here" spot for the whole family. Amish and English join together as birdwatchers reporting on sightings and sharing a regional birdwatchers newsletter written by Amish writer David Kline.
Along with the myriad of nature and outdoor recreational activities available, no place in the nation can hold a candle to our active hospitality industry, trained and ready to meet the needs of the Amish Country visitor. From luxurious conference centers to rustic cabins, from full group family-style meals serving 500 or more, to quaint one room hometown pubs and ice cream parlors, you will not leave without a multitude of opportunities to dine and relax in our scenic surroundings. Just driving the byway itself can be a most memorable and pleasurable recreational experience.
Scenic Qualities
What do most people try to ‘capture' with the camera lens? Most try to capture the view and the heightened feelings inspired by their surroundings. These people pore over their pictures when back at home remembering the beautiful scenery and the feelings they enjoyed during their visit. The value of the view on a Scenic Byway drive in Holmes County is related to the nostalgia of rolling hills, undisturbed marshland and forests, beautiful trees and landscapes, well-kept farmhouses, barns and ponds, neat rows of agricultural crops and vegetables, brilliant displays of flowers, bucolic scenes of Amish farmers/laborers, their families and children, as well as a very clean and natural environment. This viewshed is valued because it represents the perception of a slower pace of life, the 'gelassenheit,' yielding to a higher authority. Although there are no majestic mountains, there is something special about our pastoral scenes here that touch people's hearts, bringing them back time and again.