Brown County lies along the banks of the Ohio River. Covered bridges, places connected to the life of Ulysses S. Grant, and natural areas each offer a different focus. The history of the pursuit of freedom is also part of the region’s story. For planning, it’s worth looking at the specific differences: from the bridges’ dimensions and construction dates to the location details for individual destinations.
The History of the Pursuit of Freedom and Ulysses S. Grant
An estimated more than 2,000 people seeking freedom stayed with the Rankin family. John Parker also helped several hundred people escape to freedom: a patented inventor and businessman in Ripley, he supported them from his home on Front Street. The John P. Parker Historical Society offers tours from Friday to Sunday. Since the tour schedule may change, check the dates before your visit.
The U.S. Grant Boyhood Home & Schoolhouse offers a glimpse into the life of Ulysses S. Grant. The home has been restored to its 1839 condition and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Grant lived in the house in Georgetown from 1823 to 1839. A mural in the Georgetown post office explores another aspect of regional history: the importance of the tobacco industry and its influence on Brown County’s growth.
Covered Bridges: Construction Dates and Dimensions
Brown County has five surviving covered bridges, some of which are still in use. The North Pole Bridge crosses Eagle Creek. Originally built in 1865, it is 169.5 feet long and closed to automobile traffic. Since access conditions may change, check them before visiting.
Comparing the dimensions makes the differences clear: At 188 feet and 6 inches, the Bethel-New Hope Bridge is the longest surviving covered bridge in Ohio. The McCafferty Covered Bridge is a 157-foot-long Howe truss bridge built in 1877. The George Miller Bridge was built in 1879 and renovated in the 1990s by an Amish construction company. Together, the bridges represent different construction periods and, in the case of the McCafferty Bridge, a specific truss design.
Nature, Landscape, and Activities
Wildflowers, mature forests, and waterfalls are part of the landscape across 54 acres at Kope Hollow Nature Preserve in Union Township. The area features examples of the Kope rock formation and more than ten waterfalls. The preserve thus combines distinctive geological features with varied elements of the landscape.
Other natural destinations each have their own scale and location. Grant Lake in Mount Orab covers 181 acres and is stocked with fish by the Department of Wildlife. Eagle Creek Wildlife Area is a 2,341-acre state wildlife area five miles east of Ripley. A permit is required for hunting access during the season.
For a bike ride, the route along Eagle Creek follows an 11.6-mile scenic road with a single-lane roadway to the historic Eagle Creek Bridge. Road conditions and access may change; check conditions before your ride. Another activity is available at Buttermilk Falls Golf Course in Georgetown: the public nine-hole course opened in 1981.
Events and Practical Information
The Brown County Fair begins on the fourth Monday in September each year. Confirm the date for your travel year before planning your trip around it. Indian Springs Winery hosts a farmers market on Saturdays featuring locally grown produce and handmade goods. Market dates may also change, so it’s a good idea to check in advance.
For information while you’re on the go, the Brown County Chamber Visitors Center has a 24-hour-accessible foyer with maps, newspapers, magazines, brochures, visitor guides, and flyers. Since operational details may change, check for current information before planning to use the foyer.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Brown County, first choose the focus of your stay: perhaps bridges, Grant history, nature, or one of the events mentioned. Georgetown, Ripley, Mount Orab, and Union Township provide specific locations to help with further planning. Compare a hotel’s location with the destinations that interest you rather than assuming an itinerary without considering your plans.
Discover more destinations: Mount Orab, Trumbull County, Lucas County, Jefferson, Jackson, Crawford County, Coshocton County, Carroll.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
