Wildlife habitats, historic buildings and railways in different scales: Hancock offers a wide range of starting points for an exploration. Those looking to combine nature and culture will also find waterways, local history and regional products.
Nature Trails and Landscapes
Riverbend Recreation Area is a 129-acre park and wildlife habitat. Visitors can watch and photograph birds; a multi-use loop trail and nature trails offer additional ways to explore the landscape. This gives visitors different ways to enjoy the park, from observing nature to walking its trails.
Litzenberg Memorial Woods encompasses 227.7 acres of rolling countryside, wooded ravines, wetlands and prairie. These landscape features give the area a different character from Riverbend: rather than a single wildlife habitat, it is defined by several distinct natural environments. Those comparing nature areas can use these specific differences in landscape as a guide.
History, Buildings and Art
History is also present within Litzenberg Memorial Woods: the McKinnis House, built in 1847, and a historic garden together form the Homestead area. The house and garden are not separate features but belong to this historic part of the area.
The Hancock Historical Museum was founded in 1970 by five Findlay residents to preserve the heritage of Hancock County. Its founding story connects a specific local initiative with the goal of sharing the county’s history.
At the Little Red Schoolhouse, a rural one-room brick schoolhouse dating from the 1840s, schoolchildren can experience a school day in the 19th century. Another building adds to this insight: a log cabin from the 1840s is used to share and interpret the pioneer history of Findlay.
The Mazza Museum has a different focus. Its six galleries display more than 300 works of art at any given time. A visit can therefore pair a look at art with the region’s historical themes, without requiring both discoveries to involve the same kind of exhibition.
The self-guided Historic Homes Walking Tour passes restored Victorian homes and other historic buildings in downtown Findlay. The homes are privately owned; the tour passes by them and does not include visits to their private interiors.
Waterways, Railways and Regional Products
The Blanchard River Water Trail is a 37.6-mile waterway designated by the ODNR as a State Water Trail. Paddlers have access to 11 public access points, and the waterway offers a way to explore the rural areas of Hancock County. Its length, designation and access points each provide a different reference point for exploring the river.
The Old Mill Stream Scenic Byway offers another perspective on the region: it runs for 52 miles through Hancock and Putnam counties. Together with the water trail, it shows how the region can be explored in different ways through designated routes and landscape themes.
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation brings together interests in model railroads, quarter-scale railroads and full-size railroads. Its offerings include rides on a quarter-scale railroad, a museum, model railroad layouts and exhibits of full-size rail vehicles. The railroad theme thus ranges from models to full-size vehicles.
The seasonal Hancock County Farmers’ Market brings local growers, bakers and makers together every week. Products on offer include freshly harvested produce, homemade specialties, flavorful jams and warm, freshly baked bread. As the market is seasonal, it’s a good idea to check the latest market dates before visiting.
Whether you’re first interested in landscapes, local history, art or a particular experience, these varied themes offer different starting points for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Findlay, Scioto County, Cuyahoga County, Sandusky County, Hamilton, Guernsey, Van Wert, Brown County.
For the overview of destinations: Ohio.
