More than 250,000 stones make up a folk art installation at Hartman Rock Garden; at the Westcott House, every stone was carefully restored. These very different landmarks offer a way to explore Clark through art and architecture, as well as places of remembrance and landscapes along rivers, in wetlands and on the prairie.
Places of Remembrance and Architectural History
The Battle of Peckuwe was the largest battle of the American Revolution west of the Allegheny Mountains. The historic site is across from George Rogers Clark Park and behind the Davidson Interpretive Center. Several memorials there commemorate Tecumseh and George Rogers Clark. The Interpretive Center offers free explanatory exhibits and educational programs.
Buildings also tell the story of different periods in the region’s history. The Pennsylvania House Tavern & Inn was built in 1839 along the Historic National Road. The Lagonda Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution continues to own and operate the Pennsylvania House as a museum. The Gammon House, in turn, was a stop on the Underground Railroad and was owned by free African American citizens.
At the Westcott House, you’ll encounter another part of architectural history: Frank Lloyd Wright’s house is Ohio’s only Prairie-style house. It was completed in 1908 and carefully restored, stone by stone. Tours are led by a guide; tour availability may change, so booking in advance is recommended. The Daniel Hertzler House Museum offers a perspective on life before the American Civil War through the eyes of Mennonite pioneer and entrepreneur Daniel Hertzler. It opens on select guided tour dates. Check current dates before you travel.
Art and Regional History
The Heritage Center Museum is housed in a building constructed in 1890 that spans an entire city block. Its collection explores the history of the American heartland and the Historic National Road. The Springfield Museum of Art focuses on something different: it is Ohio’s only Smithsonian-affiliated art museum. Its permanent collection includes works by Berenice Abbott, George Bellows and Charley Harper.
Folk art is on a grand scale at Hartman Rock Garden: the installation was created from more than 250,000 stones. Another architectural destination for a stroll is the 114-acre campus of Wittenberg University, with its 19th-century architecture.
Prairie, River and Wetland
At Spangler Nature Preserve, nearly two miles of trails wind through the prairie. More than 200 plant species have been recorded there, including the endangered Eastern Prairie Fringe Orchid. At Leadingham Prairie, you can observe birds and wildflowers. The combination of trails, plant diversity and individual named species makes the area especially interesting for anyone who wants to do more than pass through the landscape and instead take a closer look.
Mad River Gorge & Nature Preserve provides access to the Mad River. An old railroad trail winds through a streamside forest with native wildflowers and opportunities for bird-watching. The preserve also features natural dolomite cliffs up to 50 feet high and opportunities for sport climbing. Estel Wenrick Wetland offers a different experience: its 145 acres include wetlands and forest within a wildlife refuge. Wildlife there includes Great Blue Heron and Wood Duck; trails are available to hikers and bird-watchers.
The Buck Creek areas also vary in character. Buck Creek Nature Park borders Buck Creek and includes wildflower gardens. Buck Creek State Park provides access to a 2,120-acre lake. Snyder Park Gardens & Arboretum connects visitors with 212 acres of nature and recreation areas.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
The paved Simon Kenton Trail is 18 miles long and runs from downtown Springfield to Urbana. It is ADA-accessible and has numerous access points for people with different abilities. By comparison, the trails at Spangler Nature Preserve are much shorter, at nearly two miles, and pass through a specifically described prairie. This lets you take trail length and landscape into account when choosing a route, without assuming a walking time.
For paddling, Mad River Adventures rents canoes on a scenic stretch of the Mad River in Clark County. The ECO Sports Corridor comprises four recreation facilities for whitewater kayaking. If you’d rather travel by road, the Lower Valley Pike Scenic Byway is a winding historic route with expansive views. Locust Hills Golf Club also offers 36 holes of public golf.
Local experiences are part of the attractions, too: Mother Stewart's Brewing Company has a taproom and outdoor beer garden in downtown Springfield. The Fair at New Boston combines period-style entertainment with selected artisans, a Native American village and a re-enacted battle. Program details may change; check event dates before visiting.
Discover more destinations: South Vienna, Springfield, Enon, Washington, Auglaize County, Pike County, Ashland County, Wayne.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
