Ohio’s “Antiques Capital” welcomes visitors with frequent festivals and an old-fashioned atmosphere.
By Linda McMaken
November 2002
If you’re looking for small-town America, then a visit to the village of Waynesville, Ohio, is in order. Located in the southwestern part of the state, this quaint town is a mecca for those seeking a slower pace. Visitors can browse its many antiques shops, sit on shaded benches along the sidewalks, or simply indulge themselves in a warm cup of cocoa on a winter afternoon.
Founded in 1797, Waynesville was named after General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero who also gained recognition for his conquest of the area’s American Indian tribes who were conducting raids against settlers in the Ohio Valley. The Indians he defeated were not the first people to inhabit the area. They were preceded by mound builders, whose settlements along the banks of the Little Miami River are still being uncovered today.
The story of the Hopewell Indians is told at Fort Ancient State Memorial, approximately 12 miles south of Waynesville. The memorial protects more than 18,000 feet of earthen walls that were built 2,000 years ago, possibly to serve as a giant calendar or religious center. A museum at the site, which opened in 1998, contains interactive exhibits that follow natural and American Indian history here through the course of 15,000 years. This includes information about area glacial activity and evidence of creatures that once roamed these lands, such as woolly mammoths. Visitors can hike around the mounds; one memorable trek is the North Overlook trail, which leads to a spectacular view of the Little Miami River Valley.
The portion of the Little Miami River that you can see from the park — in fact, more than you see — has been designated a National Scenic River. A bike-hike trail traverses the edge of the river, and canoe liveries do a great business, too, all in the name of enjoying this beautiful waterway. Several bicycle rental and canoe rental facilities can be found along the river’s path, including one in the valley just below the Fort Ancient overlook.
If you plan to visit Fort Ancient State Memorial, please note that the portion of State Route 350 west of the park has hairpin turns and steep grades, and is not advisable for travel by motorhome. However, you can easily avoid this part of the road by arriving from the east. Call the park before your visit and ask for directions. This year, the park closes for the season on November 24; it will reopen March 1, 2003. For more information, phone (800) 283-8904 or (513) 932-4421, or visit www.ohiohistory.org/places/ftancien/.
Arrowheads from later Indians, such as the Shawnee and Miami, still rise to the surface of farmer’s fields and on the banks of the Little Miami River along the edge of Waynesville. A young George Washington measured this part of the country as part of the Virginia Military Survey. There may not have been any dwellings at the time, but the area can rightly claim that George Washington really did sleep here. Settlers arrived soon after, and Samuel Heighway dreamed that the little settlement that became Waynesville would be the capital of the Northwest Territory. Although that was not to be, the area did prosper. Heighway platted the town to resemble an English village, with small town squares, garden areas, fishponds, and fountains. The English squares are still here, with tiny shops along each one, and outside cafes and lovely garden areas line Main Street.
By the mid-1800s, Waynesville was the largest Quaker settlement in the United States, and was a very important stop on the Underground Railroad. The road to freedom took slaves through the doors of dark cellars, deep inside old wells, and through false walls into old tunnels that honeycomb underneath the town. The tunnels and other escape routes led from the river to friendly Quaker homes. For safety reasons, most of the entrances to those tunnels have been cemented or bricked closed. But some still show the scars of this era and the legacy they represent. A standout home is the Haines House, noted for its high tower. A light was placed inside the uppermost window, which could be seen for several miles, indicating whether it was safe to continue up from the Little Miami River. If the light was not present, bounty hunters were in town.
More than a century later, Waynesville found itself being bypassed by two important north-south interstates — I-75 to the west, and I-71 to the east. Village leaders knew they needed an idea that would keep their town vital, and not just a dusty memory. Yet, they wanted to preserve the small-town charm. The Federal- and Victorian-style buildings lent themselves perfectly to housing and displaying antiques and Americana. Today almost all of the commercial buildings have been preserved, and any new businesses must conform to strict zoning guidelines. Many residences have been faithfully restored, too. Only cars and power lines keep Waynesville from being a picture straight from the 1890s.
Although the town carries many distinctions, first and foremost it is considered the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest.” The historic downtown area boasts approximately 75 shops in a six-block area. Shoppers can find anything from primitives to pieces worthy of an “Antiques Road Show” feature.
Waynesville is a showcase for Victorian furniture and decorative items, glass, pottery, bottles, Shaker furniture, quilts, copper, and brass, and the antiques shops are within an area of easy walking distance. In addition to antiques stores, a variety of specialty gift shops offer country collectibles, handmade garden items, and decorative home accents. Quilters will be interested in a stop at what is undoubtedly one of the best quilting fabric shops to be found. Several art galleries feature nationally known artists and local talent.
Food is another wonderful feature of Waynesville. Lunch at the Hammel House Inn is a must for those with a bent for colonial dining. Built in 1799, the inn was once a stop on The People’s Stage Lines. The fare for the trek from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waynesville in 1844 was $1.25. President Martin Van Buren and Vice President Richard Johnson were guests of the Inn, and Charles Dickens dined there. Mr. Dickens later wrote that Waynesville was the only American town he actually liked. The appeal he found then is still evident today. Several family-owned restaurants — The Village Family Restaurant, Cobblestone Café, and a variety of others — satisfy many palates and pocketbooks. The Der Dutchman Restaurant showcases Amish cooking at its best.
Waynesville holds special events throughout the year. The Arts Festival, offered each May, is a juried show with contributors from throughout the region. Children are encouraged to join in the fun by making chalk pictures on the sidewalks. A free antiques appraisal booth is set up, and a pet parade is held. The 2003 show will take place May 9, 10, and 11.
A summer Concert in the Park is held every other Saturday in the community park and is free of charge. Previous concerts have featured a wide assortment of music, from the Air Force Band to the Kettering Banjo Society. To wind up a perfect weekend, bring your golf clubs for a round at the Holly Hills golf course. These links are set on a hill with many picturesque views to enjoy while waiting for the next tee.
The Old Main Street Antiques Show is held twice each year, in May and in September. Dates for 2003 are Sunday, May 25, and Sunday, September 14. The end of summer signals the beginning of a jam-packed season for Waynesville, beginning with the 34th annual Sauerkraut Festival, October 11 and 12, 2003. What began as a fall sidewalk sale that served sauerkraut dinners has turned into an annual event that welcomes an estimated 250,000 people each year. The Sauerkraut Festival has been rated one of the top festivals in the United States for several years. It showcases more than 400 craft booths from around the United States, and 30 different food booths with items ranging from delectable cabbage rolls to chocolate sauerkraut cake. Kudos to the town for its parking and traffic control; larger towns could take a lesson here. Motor coaches are welcome, but be advised to arrive early, as they are parked a distance away from the festival site. Parking at the local school is recommended, and a continuous shuttle service is available from that location.
The fall season also brings to mind another claim to fame for Waynesville as “The Most Haunted Town in Ohio.” The title was bestowed upon the town by Chris Woodyard, author of the Haunted Ohio book series. If you like ghost hunting, goblin chasing, and things that go bump in the night, you’ll want to visit Waynesville in October. Town historian Dennis Dalton leads a spooky tour to some of the more notable haunted homes in the community.
Each year, Waynesville celebrates Christmas in the Village. Beginning on the first Friday evening in December, Main Street is aglow with 1,300 luminarias. Horse-drawn carriages, their sleigh bells echoing down the street, take visitors on a leisurely journey back in time. Stores remain open late Friday evening for shoppers gathering one-of-a-kind gifts and for those seeking delectable forms of hot chocolate. The following Saturday, visitors can enjoy breakfast with Santa, and costumed characters from Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol mingle with visitors along Main Street. Other characters, such as the Town Crier and a lovely lady who puts on a remarkable performance as a wind-up Christmas doll, join the Dickens crew for a truly Victorian Christmas. This year’s Christmas in the Village will take place December 6 and 7, and 13 and 14.
After you’ve finished exploring Waynesville, you may wish to drive seven miles south on U.S. 42 to Lebanon, another historic town that offers a quaint atmosphere. Its old-town-style shopping district has three major antique malls and several specialty shops, and is home to the Golden Lamb Inn, which opened in 1803 and is still in operation. Like the Hammel House, this establishment has hosted many celebrities over the years, including 10 U.S. presidents. Even if you don’t dine there, be sure to see the inn’s collection of Shaker furniture and other historical items, located on the fourth floor.
Other treats surrounding Waynesville include attractions that appeal to many interests and age groups. The following are within a 20-minute drive of Waynesville: Paramount’s Kings Island Amusement Park; Caesar Creek State Park; Little Miami State Park and Scenic Bike Trail; the Ohio Renaissance Festival (held each fall); and Caesar Creek Pioneer Village.
Whether you visit Waynesville to celebrate the holiday season this winter, or to see work of regional artists displayed next spring, you’ll be entranced by its slower pace and old-time appeal.
Further Info
Waynesville Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 281
Waynesville, OH 45068
(513) 897-8855
www.waynesvilleohio.com
The chamber provides a town map/brochure, and other information about upcoming events.
Area Campgrounds
The following campgrounds are open year-round. This may not be a complete list, so check your favorite campground directory or Family Motor Coaching’s “Business Service Directory” for more listings.
Caesar Creek State Park
8570 E. State Route 73
Waynesville, OH 45068
(513) 897-3055
www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/caesarck.htm
Features 287 sites with electrical hookups. Water, rest rooms, and showers are available, as is a dump station and pet area. Amenities include a large lake with fishing, boating, and a swimming beach; a nature center; and several miles of hiking and horseback trails. In winter, cross-country skiing and ice fishing are available.
Olive Branch Campground
6985 Wilmington Road
Oregonia, OH 45054
(513) 932-2267
www.campohio.com
This campground has 134 sites (112 with full hookups and 22 with water and electricity). A pond, swimming pool, rest rooms, a playground, a camp store, laundry facilities, hiking trails, propane, and a dump station are available. Pets are permitted if on a leash.
Spring Valley Frontier Campground
9580 Collett Road
Waynesville, OH 45068
(937) 862-4510
www.gocampingamerica.com/springvalley/index.html
This campground offers 84 RV sites, 17 with water and electricity and 67 with full hookups. Amenities include a pool, mini-golf, a camp store, firewood, LP gas, laundry facilities, showers, and a dump station.