Ohio tells an interesting story — and our historic landmarks are evidence of that. From the birthplaces of individuals that changed the course of history of our nation to the mysterious effigy mounds that give us clues about those who came before us, here are 15 historical sites in Ohio you absolutely must visit.

  1. The Adena Mansion and Gardens (Chillicothe)

Maia C./Flickr Located in Chillicothe, (which was actually Ohio’s first capital,) this 2,000-acre estate was once home to the sixth governor of Ohio and one of the state’s first United States Senators, Thomas Worthington—who is also considered by many to be the father of Ohio and the Ohio-Erie Canal. (Fun fact: You can also find a beautiful view of The Great Seal of Ohio on the grounds of this site.) Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site, 847 Adena Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA

  1. Thomas A Edison Birthplace Museum (Milan)

Jason/Flickr Built by his father, Samuel O. Edison in 1841-42, this historic brick house was the birthplace of the American inventor Thomas A. Edison and sits on a hill in Milan. Thomas A Edison Birthplace Museum, 9 N Edison Dr, Milan, OH 44846, USA

  1. The Ohio Statehouse (Columbus)

Arlenz CHEN/Flickr Officially finished in 1847, our beautiful state capitol is known for its distinctive rotunda and regularly hosts tours organized by the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center. Free, guided tours of the Statehouse are offered throughout the week, too, so be sure and check the Ohio Statehouse website before you go! Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215, USA

  1. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (Put In Bay)

NOAA’s National Ocean Services/Flickr This memorial on South Bass Island stands to commemorate the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Oliver Perry’s victory over the British during the War of 1812. It also serves to celebrate the lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the United States that followed the war. Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

  1. Fort Meigs State Memorial (Perrysburg)

Doug Kerr/Flickr Visitors can observe a reconstruction of the original 1813 fort of Ohio’s War of 1812 Battlefield in Perrysburg. On Memorial Day, staff and volunteers reenact camp life for soldiers and a special wreath laying ceremony takes place at the Fort Meigs Monument. Fort Meigs Historic Site, 29100 W River Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551, USA

  1. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park (Dayton)

Jasperdo/Flickr Observe sites related to the Wright Brothers, their flight experimentation and ties to Dayton at this historic park. Pictured is the Wright Cycle Company Building, which is the only remaining building in Dayton where the Wright Brothers operated a bicycle shop. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, 16 S Williams St, Dayton, OH 45402, USA

  1. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (Chillicothe)

karen’s archaeology stream/Flickr Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA

  1. Great Serpent Mound (Peebles)

Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr The largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world can be found right here in Ohio in Adams County. The 1,348 feet long uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head. Although no artifacts or written records were found near the mound to determine who built it, a nearby village site shows evidence of occupation by both the Adena and the later Fort Ancient Cultures. The original purpose of the mound remains a mystery, though there is some evidence for astronomical correlations, according to arcofappalachia.org. Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660, USA

  1. Tomb of William Henry Harrison (North Bend)

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr The ninth President of the United States, (and the first from Ohio,) is buried in North Bend near the Ohio River. William Henry Harrison Memorial, 41 Cliff Rd, North Bend, OH 45052, USA

  1. The birthplace of Ulysses Grant (Point Pleasant)

Earl/Flickr The Grant Birthplace in Point Pleasant is the fully restored birthplace of the 18th U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant, who was born there in 1822. Ulysses S. Grant Birthplace, 1551 OH-232, Moscow, OH 45153, USA

  1. Rutherford B. Hayes Home (Fremont)

Jim Bowen/Flickr Fremont is home to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the former home of the 19th president of the United States. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420, USA

  1. James A. Garfield House (Mentor)

Jim Bowen/Flickr Located in Mentor is the former home of the 20th President of the United States, James Abram Garfield. James A. Garfield House, 6825 Hinsdale St, Hiram, OH 44234, USA

  1. Saxton-McKinley House (Canton)

Erin/Flickr President William McKinley and his wife’s home in Canton has been preserved as the Ida Saxton McKinley Historic Home. It is also now one of two buildings that houses the National First Ladies Library. Saxton McKinley House, 331 Market Ave S, Canton, OH 44702, USA

  1. William Howard Taft National Historic Site (Cincinnati)

elycefeliz/Flickr In Cincinnati you can find the house where former President and Chief Justice of the United States William Howard Taft was born. William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 2038 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA

  1. Warren G. Harding Home (Marion)

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The Harding Home, located in Marion, was once the residence of Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States. Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites, 380 Mt Vernon Ave, Marion, OH 43302, USA

Have you been to any of these places before? Which ones? Share your experiences with us!

Maia C./Flickr

Located in Chillicothe, (which was actually Ohio’s first capital,) this 2,000-acre estate was once home to the sixth governor of Ohio and one of the state’s first United States Senators, Thomas Worthington—who is also considered by many to be the father of Ohio and the Ohio-Erie Canal. (Fun fact: You can also find a beautiful view of The Great Seal of Ohio on the grounds of this site.)

Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site, 847 Adena Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA

Jason/Flickr

Built by his father, Samuel O. Edison in 1841-42, this historic brick house was the birthplace of the American inventor Thomas A. Edison and sits on a hill in Milan.

Thomas A Edison Birthplace Museum, 9 N Edison Dr, Milan, OH 44846, USA

Arlenz CHEN/Flickr

Officially finished in 1847, our beautiful state capitol is known for its distinctive rotunda and regularly hosts tours organized by the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center. Free, guided tours of the Statehouse are offered throughout the week, too, so be sure and check the Ohio Statehouse website before you go!

Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215, USA

NOAA’s National Ocean Services/Flickr

This memorial on South Bass Island stands to commemorate the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Oliver Perry’s victory over the British during the War of 1812. It also serves to celebrate the lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the United States that followed the war.

Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

Doug Kerr/Flickr

Visitors can observe a reconstruction of the original 1813 fort of Ohio’s War of 1812 Battlefield in Perrysburg. On Memorial Day, staff and volunteers reenact camp life for soldiers and a special wreath laying ceremony takes place at the Fort Meigs Monument.

Fort Meigs Historic Site, 29100 W River Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551, USA

Jasperdo/Flickr

Observe sites related to the Wright Brothers, their flight experimentation and ties to Dayton at this historic park. Pictured is the Wright Cycle Company Building, which is the only remaining building in Dayton where the Wright Brothers operated a bicycle shop.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, 16 S Williams St, Dayton, OH 45402, USA

karen’s archaeology stream/Flickr

Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA

Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr

The largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world can be found right here in Ohio in Adams County. The 1,348 feet long uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head. Although no artifacts or written records were found near the mound to determine who built it, a nearby village site shows evidence of occupation by both the Adena and the later Fort Ancient Cultures. The original purpose of the mound remains a mystery, though there is some evidence for astronomical correlations, according to arcofappalachia.org.

Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660, USA

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

The ninth President of the United States, (and the first from Ohio,) is buried in North Bend near the Ohio River.

William Henry Harrison Memorial, 41 Cliff Rd, North Bend, OH 45052, USA

Earl/Flickr

The Grant Birthplace in Point Pleasant is the fully restored birthplace of the 18th U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant, who was born there in 1822.

Ulysses S. Grant Birthplace, 1551 OH-232, Moscow, OH 45153, USA

Jim Bowen/Flickr

Fremont is home to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the former home of the 19th president of the United States.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420, USA

Located in Mentor is the former home of the 20th President of the United States, James Abram Garfield.

James A. Garfield House, 6825 Hinsdale St, Hiram, OH 44234, USA

Erin/Flickr

President William McKinley and his wife’s home in Canton has been preserved as the Ida Saxton McKinley Historic Home. It is also now one of two buildings that houses the National First Ladies Library.

Saxton McKinley House, 331 Market Ave S, Canton, OH 44702, USA

elycefeliz/Flickr

In Cincinnati you can find the house where former President and Chief Justice of the United States William Howard Taft was born.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 2038 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

The Harding Home, located in Marion, was once the residence of Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States.

Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites, 380 Mt Vernon Ave, Marion, OH 43302, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Historic Sites in Ohio December 19, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other historic places to visit in Ohio? We have a lot of president-related sites in the above list, and for good reason! Ohio is known as the Mother of Presidents as seven U.S. presidents were born in the Buckeye State. (Ohio also claims bragging rights to William Henry Harrison, who was born in Virginia but settled in Ohio.) Among the ranks, James. A Garfield was born in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), a beautiful locale in the Greater Cleveland area. He passed away in 1881, and Lake View Cemetery was chosen as his final resting place. This is why there is a 180-foot-tall James A. Garfield Memorial in Cleveland, and it’s one of the most unique historic places to visit in Ohio. The site features a circular tower 50 feet in diameter and 180 feet high, built of native Ohio sandstone on a broad stone terrace. Around the exterior are five panels in bas-relief depicting Garfield’s life and death. These panels include more than 100 figures, all of them life-size. Another historic place to visit in Ohio isn’t so much a site as it is an entire town! Sauder Village is Ohio’s largest living-history destination and it’s a must-visit for history buffs. This historic village in Archbold, Ohio, features 110 authentic replica structures on 239 acres of beautiful farmland. Guests are invited to slow down, unplug, and spend quality time with family here, all while getting an immersive, hands-on history lesson at this unique Ohio day trip destination.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Historic Sites in Ohio

December 19, 2022

Sarah M.

What are some other historic places to visit in Ohio? We have a lot of president-related sites in the above list, and for good reason! Ohio is known as the Mother of Presidents as seven U.S. presidents were born in the Buckeye State. (Ohio also claims bragging rights to William Henry Harrison, who was born in Virginia but settled in Ohio.) Among the ranks, James. A Garfield was born in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), a beautiful locale in the Greater Cleveland area. He passed away in 1881, and Lake View Cemetery was chosen as his final resting place. This is why there is a 180-foot-tall James A. Garfield Memorial in Cleveland, and it’s one of the most unique historic places to visit in Ohio. The site features a circular tower 50 feet in diameter and 180 feet high, built of native Ohio sandstone on a broad stone terrace. Around the exterior are five panels in bas-relief depicting Garfield’s life and death. These panels include more than 100 figures, all of them life-size. Another historic place to visit in Ohio isn’t so much a site as it is an entire town! Sauder Village is Ohio’s largest living-history destination and it’s a must-visit for history buffs. This historic village in Archbold, Ohio, features 110 authentic replica structures on 239 acres of beautiful farmland. Guests are invited to slow down, unplug, and spend quality time with family here, all while getting an immersive, hands-on history lesson at this unique Ohio day trip destination.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

We have a lot of president-related sites in the above list, and for good reason! Ohio is known as the Mother of Presidents as seven U.S. presidents were born in the Buckeye State. (Ohio also claims bragging rights to William Henry Harrison, who was born in Virginia but settled in Ohio.) Among the ranks, James. A Garfield was born in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), a beautiful locale in the Greater Cleveland area. He passed away in 1881, and Lake View Cemetery was chosen as his final resting place. This is why there is a 180-foot-tall James A. Garfield Memorial in Cleveland, and it’s one of the most unique historic places to visit in Ohio. The site features a circular tower 50 feet in diameter and 180 feet high, built of native Ohio sandstone on a broad stone terrace. Around the exterior are five panels in bas-relief depicting Garfield’s life and death. These panels include more than 100 figures, all of them life-size.

Another historic place to visit in Ohio isn’t so much a site as it is an entire town! Sauder Village is Ohio’s largest living-history destination and it’s a must-visit for history buffs. This historic village in Archbold, Ohio, features 110 authentic replica structures on 239 acres of beautiful farmland. Guests are invited to slow down, unplug, and spend quality time with family here, all while getting an immersive, hands-on history lesson at this unique Ohio day trip destination.