Discover Auglaize County: History, Nature, and Special Experiences

Auglaize County combines space history, canal landscapes, historic buildings, and lively events. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities here for museum visits, walks, and special dates throughout the year. A vacation rental can serve as a base, with its location selected according to the experiences that are the focus of your trip.

Space, Bicycles, and Regional History

A prominent cultural attraction is the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta. It displays the Gemini VIII spacecraft, which Neil Armstrong and David Scott used to complete the first docking of two spacecraft in space on March 16, 1966. The museum also preserves Neil Armstrong’s legacy and honors the pioneering role of the United States in space exploration. For further location planning, you can also visit the page on Wapakoneta.

The Bicycle Museum of America has a completely different focus. More than 200 bicycles are displayed there; the collection comprises 600 bicycles in total. Guided and self-guided tours explore the history and design of the bicycle. At the Daniel F. Mooney Museum, you can experience a house with a history of its own: It is located in a building constructed in 1876, opened in 1981, and was the first museum of the Auglaize County Historical Society.

New Bremen and New Knoxville also offer historical insights. The Historical Museum in New Bremen is among the city’s oldest preserved houses and dates from the 1830s. The building was used as a residence and business. The New Knoxville Historical Society complex comprises five buildings, including the original house, an office, a summer kitchen, a log cabin, and a barn. In Saint Marys, the St. Marys Art Center supports artists, promotes art education, and presents various exhibitions. The page on Saint Marys is also available for further planning.

Canals, Trails, and Nature Experiences

The Miami Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a clear choice for anyone who wants to incorporate exercise into their trip. The trail has level terrain and surfaces of gravel or grass. The Heritage Trails Park District section is accessible via 40 Acre Pond, Lock 14 Park, the Bloody Bridge Trail Head, and Deep Cut Historical Park. Parking is available at all the locations mentioned. At Lock 14 Park, you can see a restored concrete canal lock with direct access to the trail.

Deep Cut Historical Park is registered as a National Historic Landmark and is located at the site of the largest canal excavation. In addition to the Lockkeepers House, visitors can walk along the canal trail. The Lockkeepers House is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who want to explore nature in a protected area can plan a visit to the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve. The preserve encompasses a 15.8-acre tract of old-growth forest and 1.4 miles of trails. Features include a pawpaw grove, a temporary spring pond, and spring and summer wildflowers.

Other options add a seasonal touch: Walk With Nature takes place every October and is a 3.5-mile walk along the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal. Fishing is possible year-round at Grand Lake St. Marys. The Belle of St. Marys is a true-to-scale replica of a canal boat that visitors can board. The Bowstring Bridge is considered the oldest bowstring truss bridge in Ohio.

Festivals and Special Dates

Events provide an additional reason to travel. Bremenfest takes place annually on the third weekend in August and offers food, bands, a 5K run or walk, and a parade. The Auglaize County Fair was founded in 1852 and is a tradition celebrating agriculture, livestock, and community. It is a week-long event with food, games, activities, competitions, and animals; it also includes livestock shows, 4-H and FFA programs, grandstand entertainment, and harness racing.

The New Bremen Firemen's Picnic is an annual summer tradition and is considered the longest-running picnic in its community. For days of historical interest, Fort Amanda adds another option: During the War of 1812, it was an important supply depot for the American army. Depending on whether museums, canal trails, nature, or an event date is the focus, you can deliberately choose the right location for your vacation rental.

Other destinations at the same level: Clermont County, Champaign County, Seneca County, Adams County, Miami, Summit

To the higher-level travel overview: Ohio.