New Suspension Bridge at the Park
This is the new suspension bridge that connects Maple Ridge to Stillwater Prairie. The bridge is most easily accessed through Maple Ridge, linked below.
Huge Marsh Marigold Display
This one of the most vibrant marsh marigold seasons in recent history. The yellow flower is growing in huge patches along local rivers and streams and can be seen in its full splendor by cycling the Great Miami Recreational Trail. Seen here is the trail between Troy and Tipp City.
Meet the Largest Snake in Ohio
This is the Black Rat Snake, Ohio's largest snake, reaching lengths of up to 8 feet! It is one of the most beneficial predators in Ohio!
This one was spotted near the Roger Presley Trail on the Great Miami Recreational Trail in Tipp City.
Learn more in the link below.
This one was spotted near the Roger Presley Trail on the Great Miami Recreational Trail in Tipp City.
Learn more in the link below.
New Addition at the West Milton Veterans Memorial
This is the West Milton Veteran's Memorial at Community Park. This past weekend, a plaque representing the Persian Gulf War was unviled at the park. Click on the link below to see pictures from the event.
Museum of Science+Industry in Chicago
This is the Museum of Science+Industry in downtown Chicago. It is considered to be the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.
It is currently open with COVID restrictions. Actually, it’s a great time to visit, as there is not much of a crowd. However, a number of interactive areas are shut down for now.
It doesn’t seem like it, but Chicago is only about 4-and-a-half hours from most of Miami County, making the museum and Chicago a nearby road trip that packs a lot of punch. Learn more about the museum in the link below.
It is currently open with COVID restrictions. Actually, it’s a great time to visit, as there is not much of a crowd. However, a number of interactive areas are shut down for now.
It doesn’t seem like it, but Chicago is only about 4-and-a-half hours from most of Miami County, making the museum and Chicago a nearby road trip that packs a lot of punch. Learn more about the museum in the link below.
Tipp City Nature Center
Every first or second week of April, this location at the Tipp City Nature Center comes to life with a vibrant and large wildflower display. It is located along the Great Miami Recreational Trail near the entrance to the park.
Spring at WoodsWalk Farm B&B in Piqua
This is the annual flower display at WoodsWalk Farm Bed & Breakfast near Johnston Farm in Piqua, taken by owner Mary Haldeman. The tulips go deep into the woods on the property.
The bed and breakfast, which is solar-powered and self-sufficient, is now open.
Learn more about this local treasure in the link below.
The bed and breakfast, which is solar-powered and self-sufficient, is now open.
Learn more about this local treasure in the link below.
The Boardwalk Trail at Garbry Big Woods
The sound of tree frogs at Garbry Big Woods Sanctuary near Piqua means April is almost here.
The boardwalk trail is handicap accessible and lined with wildflowers, wildlife and mushrooms. Click the link below for more information on the park.
The boardwalk trail is handicap accessible and lined with wildflowers, wildlife and mushrooms. Click the link below for more information on the park.
The Longest Historic District in the U.S.
This is Madison, Indiana as seen from the famous Hillside Inn. It's located about two-and-a-half hours from Miami County.
In 2006, the majority of Madison's downtown area was designated the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark in the United States—133 blocks of the downtown area is known as the Madison Historic Landmark District.
Learn more about this nearby attraction in the link below.
In 2006, the majority of Madison's downtown area was designated the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark in the United States—133 blocks of the downtown area is known as the Madison Historic Landmark District.
Learn more about this nearby attraction in the link below.
The Highest Point in Indiana
Although it doesn't seem like it, this is the highest point in Indiana, and it's only about 40 miles from most of Miami County, and really not far from Greenville.
It is called Hoosier Hill. The link below is a map to the exact spot seen here.
It's located not far from Fountain Acre Foods (known as the Amish Wal-Mart) in Fountain City, Indiana. Both of these destinations make for an interesting afternoon not far from home.
In the summer issue of This Local Life magazine, we'll explain why this is the highest point in Indiana, and not far from the highest point in Ohio.
It is called Hoosier Hill. The link below is a map to the exact spot seen here.
It's located not far from Fountain Acre Foods (known as the Amish Wal-Mart) in Fountain City, Indiana. Both of these destinations make for an interesting afternoon not far from home.
In the summer issue of This Local Life magazine, we'll explain why this is the highest point in Indiana, and not far from the highest point in Ohio.
An Old Steel Bridge in the Woods
Located near the State Route 571 bridge and Great Miami River in Tipp City, this old steel bridge can be found when hiking at Honey Creek Preserve. The Miami County Park is located on St. Rt. 202, and also contains bridle trails.
A little mink runs by the bottom of the screen in the first few moments of the video.
Learn more about this park in the link below.
A little mink runs by the bottom of the screen in the first few moments of the video.
Learn more about this park in the link below.
Springing to Life at Brukner Nature Center
The sounds of spring arriving at Brukner Nature Center near Troy. Click on the link below for visitor's information and to see a map of the vast hiking trail system at the park.
Walking Through the Tipp Canal
A walk-thru of Canal Lock 15 in Tipp City. This historic sign states: "This section of the Miami and Erie Canal, constructed from 1833-1837, was vital to this region's commerce and development. It allowed for farmers and businesses to get their goods to larger markets at a lower cost and faster speed than by hauling overland.
Passengers could also travel across the area by canal boat. John Clark saw the location of the Lock 15, situated in Monroe Township at the junction of the Milton-Carlisle Pike (Main Street), as an opportunity and in 1840, platted the new town of Tippecanoe City (now Tipp City).
Many types of commerce and trade grew up around the canal including boarding houses, saloons, a tannery, and a mill. Some of the original buildings still stand, such as a mill to the west of Lock 15, John Clark's home at the southeast corner of Main and First streets, and the hotel at the northeast corner of Main and Second streets.
Travel on the Miami and Erie Canal was limited to four miles per hour for boats pulled by mules in order to prevent boat wash from eroding the clay banks of the canals. A system of locks allowed a canal boat to be raised or lowered, depending on the direction the boat was traveling.
Constructed of limestone blocks, Lock 15 is typical of most Miami and Erie Canal locks. Large wooden gates were located on each end of the lock. A boat would enter the lock and the gate behind it would close, while the opposite gate would open, allowing the water lever to be raised or lowered before the boat could proceed to its next stop.
The advent of the railroad was the beginning of the end for the canal system. Due to extensive damage, most of the Miami and Erie Canal was abandoned following the Great Flood of 1913."
Passengers could also travel across the area by canal boat. John Clark saw the location of the Lock 15, situated in Monroe Township at the junction of the Milton-Carlisle Pike (Main Street), as an opportunity and in 1840, platted the new town of Tippecanoe City (now Tipp City).
Many types of commerce and trade grew up around the canal including boarding houses, saloons, a tannery, and a mill. Some of the original buildings still stand, such as a mill to the west of Lock 15, John Clark's home at the southeast corner of Main and First streets, and the hotel at the northeast corner of Main and Second streets.
Travel on the Miami and Erie Canal was limited to four miles per hour for boats pulled by mules in order to prevent boat wash from eroding the clay banks of the canals. A system of locks allowed a canal boat to be raised or lowered, depending on the direction the boat was traveling.
Constructed of limestone blocks, Lock 15 is typical of most Miami and Erie Canal locks. Large wooden gates were located on each end of the lock. A boat would enter the lock and the gate behind it would close, while the opposite gate would open, allowing the water lever to be raised or lowered before the boat could proceed to its next stop.
The advent of the railroad was the beginning of the end for the canal system. Due to extensive damage, most of the Miami and Erie Canal was abandoned following the Great Flood of 1913."
Mounds State Park, Indiana
Located about 100 miles west of Miami County, the Native American mounds found at this state park in Anderson, Indiana were built by the Adena/Hopewell cultures.
The Great Mound at the park is one of the most impressive features at the park, although certainly not the only.
As seen in the next video, the state park features an excellent museum about the mounds.
The park is linked below.
Interestingly, there is a smaller version of this kind of circle located at Johnston Farm & Indian Agency in Piqua. They are related.
The Great Mound at the park is one of the most impressive features at the park, although certainly not the only.
As seen in the next video, the state park features an excellent museum about the mounds.
The park is linked below.
Interestingly, there is a smaller version of this kind of circle located at Johnston Farm & Indian Agency in Piqua. They are related.
The Museum at Mounds State Park
The hiking trails and mounds at this park are great, as is the museum, seen here.
Just 25 miles north of Anderson is Fairmount, the hometown of James Dean and Garfield creator, Jim Davis.
These are two great destinations close to home and affordable to do.
Learn more about visiting Fairmount in the link below.
Just 25 miles north of Anderson is Fairmount, the hometown of James Dean and Garfield creator, Jim Davis.
These are two great destinations close to home and affordable to do.
Learn more about visiting Fairmount in the link below.
The Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi
The confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in Cairo, Ill. after the recent rains. This is where much of our rain water in Miami County ends up before heading south to the Gulf of Mexico.
In this video, the Ohio River is seen first on the left, then the Mississippi on the right.
The sculpture in the water is usually above water and located several feet from the shore.
In this video, the Ohio River is seen first on the left, then the Mississippi on the right.
The sculpture in the water is usually above water and located several feet from the shore.
Another Look at the Confluence
A view from the observation deck in Cairo, Ill at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Skunk Cabbage at Brukner Nature Center
The boardwalk trail at Brukner is one of the first places to come to life each spring.