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Grand Lake Ohio Attractions |
Neil
Armstrong Air & Space Museum
Opened in 1972 by the
Ohio Historical Society, and named in the honor of Wapakoneta native
astronaut Neil Armstrong, the museum chronicles Ohioans'
contributions to the history of flight. You can see a moon rock and
the Gemini VIII spacecraft. The museum's Astro Theater presents the
sights and sounds of space. Open March through November, Mondays
through Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays and holidays
from noon to 5:00 p.m. 419-738-8811. Located at I-75 & Exit 111.
Auglaize
County Historical Society - Mooney Museum
This newly
remodeled historical museum once belonged to Daniel Mooney, a former
ambassador to Paraguay. Early Auglaize history is represented here
with many artifacts and photos. Tours are available by appointment.
223 S. Main St., St. Marys. 419-394-7069
Mercer
County Historical Museum
This museum chronicles the
past 200 years of Mercer County area life. Also known as the Riley
House, the museum contains genealogical materials and many books of
local history. The museum is open Wed. - Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. From Oct. to April, the museum is also open on Sundays from 1:00
to 4:00 p.m. FREE. 130 E. Market St., Celina. 419-586-6065
New
Bremen Historic Museum
This museum is named the
Luelleman House after the family which lived in it for more than 70
years. The house is one of the first non-log structures in the
original plat of 1833 in New Bremen. 120-122 North Main Street, New
Bremen. Open June, July & August - Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
419-629-3321
New
Knoxville Historical Museum
Organized to honor the
village's 150th anniversary in 1986, the museum continues to preserve
the rich history of the New Knoxville area. 107 E. German St., New
Knoxville. Hours by appointment. Call (419) 753-2721.
Fort
Recovery State Museum
Two reconstructed blockhouses, a
connecting stockade and many exhibits depicting the Indian wars of
the 1790's are housed in the museum. The museum gallery also displays
one of the largest collections of Indian artifacts in the state of
Ohio.
It was at this location the General St. Clair was defeated on November 4, 1791, and where General "Mad" new post named "Recovery." Located near the intersection of State Routes 119 and 49 in the center of St. Recovery. Open May through September. Weekdays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Adults: $1.00 admission. Students (6-18): 50 cents. Families: $2.50.
Cridersville Historical Museum
The 1890 church depicts the history of the town and the surrounding area. The 1836 log house is the original home of Daniel Bowsher. Open the first and third Sundays of each month 1pm - 4pm. 111 West Sugar St Cridersville (419) 645-4782
Bicycle Museum of America
The museum, located at 7 West Monroe Street in historic New Bremen, features a broad selection of bicycles and memorabilia, obtained recently by Jim Dicke of Crown Equipment Corporation, the international manufacturer of electric lift trucks.
7 West Monroe St New Bremen (419) 629-9249
Maria
Stein Heritage Museum
The museum interprets the German
settlements of southern Auglaize and Mercer Counties and the history
of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Special displays describe the
Land of the Cross Tipped Churches. Located on the second floor of the
former convent building, the museum is open May through October,
Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. $1.00 suggested
admission.
The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches
This shrine contains approximately 500 relics of the Saints and is the second largest collection of its type in the United States. Built in 1890, the shrine and the adjacent former convent building were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 2291 St. Johns Road, Maria Stein. 419-925-4532. Call in advance for guided tours. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. $2.00 suggested admission.
Online Postcard Photos
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Museums | Places | Recreation |
Memorial
Covered Bridge
The bridge spans the St. Marys River as
it flows through Memorial Park and downtown St. Marys. The bridge was
completed through volunteer efforts in 1992. 1200 bricks line the
pathway of the east side of the bridge. Each brick identifies a local
veteran who served in one of our nation's conflicts.
Northwood Lighthouse
is one of two lighthouses that
grace the shoreline of Grand Lake St.Marys. In the early days, the
Northwood Lighthouse, located at Northmoor on the north side of the
lake between Celina and St. Marys, operated under a government
license during the months from April 1 to November 1. No longer a
working lighthouse, the Eddystone Lighthouse is a monument to the
original English Channel Beacon. There is not public access to this
site. Viewing must be from the lake.
The Rotary Lighthouse
In
1986, the Celina Rotary Club built a forty foot working lighthouse on
the west bank of Grand Lake Ohio. This structure has a wrought iron
observation deck encircling it for those who wish a "grander"
view of the lake. The Rotary Lighthouse stand near the intersection
of Main Street (U.S. Route 127) and Lake Shore Drive in Celina.
National
Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics
This shrine contains
approximately 500 relics of the Saints and is the second largest
collection of its type in the United States. Built in 1890, the
shrine and the adjacent former convent building were placed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 2291 St. Johns Road,
Maria Stein. 419-925-4532. Call in advance for guided tours. Hours:
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays. $2.00
suggested admission.
Auglaize
County Courthouse
This neoclassical structure of Berea
sandstone features a central gallery open to the second floor making
the stained glass skylight visible from both floors. "The Copper
Lady," who once stood proudly atop the courthouse tower, now has
a prominent place in the gallery. Restored for the courthouse's 100th
birthday in 1994, "The Copper Lady" once again reigns over
the building's activities. Seventeen elementary schools in Auglaize
County raised 453,589 pennies for her restoration. Call 419-738-3612
for tours.
Mercer
County Courthouse
Forty foot Corinthian columns grace
the four entrances to the gray Bedford limestone courthouse in the
heart of Celina. Its impressive interior is enhanced with large
bronze doors, marble floors, walls and staircases. One can climb the
beautiful staircase and gaze from the third floor upon the rotunda
below or cast one's eyes upward to view the colored glass courthouse
dome. This magnificent building celebrated its 75th birthday in 1998.
Call 419-586-3178 to schedule a group tour.
The
Belle of St. Marys
This full scale replica of a packet
canal boat measures 76 feet long and 14 feet wide and rests on the
waters of the Miami-Erie Canal in Memorial Park. Built by local
craftsmen, "The Belle" can be visited at any time. FREE.
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Miami-Erie
Canal Towpath
This 3.5 mile path is a beautiful hiking
trail from St. Marys Memorial Park to Forty Acre Pond just north of
St. Marys. Each October citizens join in the "Annual Walk with
Nature" along this historic towpath. Also along the canal on
Route 66 is Bloody Bridge. Although the old bridge has been replaced,
a monument tells the tragic story of two men who fought for the love
of a canal boat captain's daughter in the 1850's.
Monument
Park
President William Howard Taft signed a bill in
1908 to authorize a monument in honor of those soldiers who died
serving under St. Clair and Anthony Wayne. Congress approved the bill
in 1910 and work was begun in 1912. the dedication was July 1, 1913.
The base of the 101 foot monument holds the bones of the fallen soldiers who died in the battles at Ft. Recovery. The nine foot tall statue at its base depicts a frontiersman facing west to the beautiful unsettled land into which he triumphed. It is located at the corner of Routes 119 and 49.
Memorial
Park
Dedicated to WWI veterans, the park rests beside
the old canal flowing through downtown St. Marys. The park is the
setting for many community activities and provides a backdrop for St.
Marys history.
Fort
Amanda Monument & Park
Erected in 1812 under orders
from General William Henry Harrison, Fort Amanda was a base of
supplies for Harrison's army during the War of 1812. The remains of
75 soldiers, each simply marked "Unknown Soldier, War of 1812"
lie beside the Auglaize River. A gray, granite shaft monument was
erected in 1915 marking the site of the first shipyard, first
religious meeting house, first post office, first national cemetery
and first child born to settlers. Located on State Route 198, 7 1/2
miles NW of Wapakoneta. The park is open from dawn to dusk from May
to October.
Lake
Loramie State Park State
Fish Hatchery South
of St. Marys on Route 66, which follows the old canal, are New Bremen
and Minster, two villages that are tributes to the Miami-Erie Canal.
Built by German settlers during the constructions of the canal, both
remain prosperous business centers which retain their historical
charm. New Bremen is located at the mid-point on the canal. This
plateau, the Loramie Summit, extending from Lock 1 North to Lock 1
South in Lockington, is the highest elevation on the route. Museums
| Structures
| Places Camping: Boating: Fishing
and Hunting: Swimming: Picnicking: Golfing: Celina-Coldwater
Bike Path Route
703 Bike Path
Southeast of Grand Lake, offers
fishing, boating, swimming and camping. The Miami-Erie Trail, a
47-mile portion of the statewide Buckeye Trail, begins at Lake
Loramie and passes within a mile and a half of Grand Lake State Park.
The Miami-Erie Trail terminates at Delphos, approximately 22 miles
north of St. Marys.
One of only three hatcheries in Ohio, the
St. Marys site is the only one that has largemouth bass. Channel
catfish, walleye pike, northern pike and saugeye are raised here to
stock northern Ohio lakes. The hatchery completed renovations in
1996. It is located on State Route 364 on the east side of Grand Lake
Ohio. Tours are available. FREE. 419-394-5170.
The
State campground contains 216 sites of which 135 are equipped with
electricity. Facilities include flush toilets, showers and a dump
station. A group camp can accommodate organized groups of 150 people
on a reservation basis. A "camper's only" swimming beach
and boat tie-ups are available as well as horseshoe pits and a sand
volleyball court. Two Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining
canopy, cooler, cookstove and other equipment can be rented from May
through September.
Boats
with unlimited horsepower are permitted on the lake. Five state
operated launch ramps provide access to the lake. Several private
launch ramps also exist along the shallow shoreline. Fuel, boat
rentals and seasonal dock rentals are available. 10 local Marinas.
Anglers will enjoy excellent catches of
crappie, catfish, bass and bluegill as well as yellow perch in the
winter. Hunting is permitted in designated areas. There are 90
seasonal duck blinds available by a lottery administered by the ODNR
Division of Wildlife. Contact the Mercer County Wildlife Refuge at
(419) 268-2020 for more information. A valid Ohio hunting and/or
fishing license is required.
The
State Park is equipped with four public swimming beaches as well as
other swimming areas provided for boaters. There are several other
swimming locations around the lake.
Picnic
areas with tables and grills are located in scenic areas around the
lake. Some picnic shelters are on a reservation basis, contact park
office for details at (419) 394-3611
6 area golf courses from driving ranges to 18 hole courses and pro shops plus snack bars and restaraunts.
This path is a 4.5 mile long, 10 foot wide
path on an old railroad bed. The path is perfect for biking, walking
or running between Celina and Coldwater. (see map for routing).
This stretch on State Route 703 between
Celina and St. Marys is for the experienced rider as the rider cycles
along side sometimes heavy traffic. the path is approximately 9 miles
long.