Maumee River, Parks, and Getting Around

The Maumee River flows through Henry County and is designated a State Scenic River. In Napoleon, you can experience the area's connection to the water at several locations: Ritter Park offers a walking path along the Maumee River and a historic stone shelter; the park also has a municipal boat launch. Oberhaus Park has a 250-foot public boat dock on the Maumee River. The Liberty Bridge crosses the river in Napoleon between County Road 424 and State Route 110. Glenwood Park is home to Napoleon's golf course, swimming pool, and a youth baseball field. When looking for accommodations, you can weigh your priorities: the walking path and boat launch at Ritter Park, the public dock at Oberhaus Park, or Napoleon's sports and recreational facilities. Mary Jane Thurston State Park is in Damascus Township in Henry County. The public dock is 250 feet (about 76 meters) long.

Trails, Landscapes, and Canal History

The Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is part of the Buckeye Trail; the canal towpath in Henry County is also part of the North Country Trail. The former Miami and Erie Canal Towpath is being converted into a hiking and biking trail in partnership with the Buckeye Trail Association and the North Country Trail, and runs along the Maumee River. Keep this ongoing conversion in mind when planning a specific outing. Henry County was part of the Great Black Swamp; the first settlers considered the area almost uninhabitable. Village sites and Ottawa burial grounds lie along the Maumee River. The Miami and Erie Canal was completed in 1843. Lock 43 Miami Wabash & Erie Canal Park provides access to the remains of Miami & Erie Canal Lock 43. Here, the focus shifts from the area's landscape history to traces of the Ottawa along the river and then to canal history, with a specific lock structure to visit.

Museums and the Henry County Fair

The first and second floors of the Bloomfield Home are open for tours and feature historic furnishings dating from the mid-19th century through the 1930s. The Carriage House of the Dr. John Bloomfield Home & Carriage House Museum houses an extensive collection of Henry County artifacts. This gives you a clear distinction when choosing between the museum themes: historic furnishings in the Bloomfield Home and a county collection in the Carriage House.

The Henry County Fair celebrates the county's agricultural heritage, youth involvement, and community. It takes place south of Napoleon, Ohio, on State Route 108.

Discover more destinations: Van Wert, Belmont County, Brown County, Washington, Franklin, Defiance, Putnam County.

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