By 1808Delaware
This year we’re continuing our weekly look at unique events and attractions that are within an easy driving distance of Delaware County. We call these “Summer Road Trips.” Of course, we regularly feature the many extraordinary places to visit right here in Delaware County and encourage our readers to get out and experience what is on offer in our own backyard.
Like our last Road Trip on the Ohio Literary Trail, this excursion is to a number of different sites.
A new historic byway now has an accompanying map to guide travelers along its route in nearby Ashland and Richland Counties, a short drive north of Delaware County.
In May, we shared the announcement by the Ohio Department of Transportation of the new Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway, a 30 mile route along State Routes 39 and 603 which celebrates the life of John Chapman, the nineteenth century local man who planted apple trees and became an American cultural and historical icon.As ODOT shared at the time, the route tells the story of a man “…who spent the vast majority of his adult life in and throughout north central Ohio, spreading the seeds of fruit, as well as fait, to Ohio’ early pioneers. Both routes pass by and through Appleseed’s land holdings, apple nursery sites, Native American villages, and locations of important events in which Appleseed was involved during the War of 1812. The Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway’s vision statement is to “enhance all lives of those who pass this way.”
At the time, ODOT shared that an interactive, online “story map” would be forthcoming as a guide for byway visitors. That map is now accessible.
Included on the story map are 30 individual stops on the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway, from the Charles Franklin Kettering historic marker in downtown Loudonville on the east, to the Johnny Appleseed monument in Mansfield’s South Park on the west.
Along the way, the route passes by and through places such as the site of the 1812 Copus Family Attack; Malabar Farm State Park; four locations where Chapman owned or leased land; and many others. Each stop includes a narrative description and photos.
The new story map can be accessed here.
