Tuscarawas County lies in the foothills of Appalachian Ohio and Amish Country. Its historic destinations tell different stories: from a Moravian mission to a religious communal society and a fort from the American Revolution. There are also museums, a historic carousel, and trails to explore on foot or by bike. So when choosing where to focus your stay, a simple question can help: Would you mainly like to see early history and historic buildings, or would you also like to get outdoors and be active?
Historic Sites and Distinct Stories
Schoenbrunn Village was founded in 1772 as a Moravian mission and was the first Christian settlement in Ohio. It was also home to the state’s first church and first schoolhouse. The site includes the original cemetery and 16 reconstructed log houses. The visitor center, with its museum and introductory video, offers a starting point for learning about the site’s history; the village’s historic features add to this overview.
Historic Zoar Village tells the story of a different community. German religious dissenters settled in Zoar in 1817; in 1819, it was organized as a communal society. The village is also a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour restored buildings and shops of the Zoarites. A guided tour includes samples of cheese, pastries, pickles, and apples, as well as a sauerkraut-making demonstration. Alongside the historic buildings, the tour offers a culinary highlight.
Fort Laurens was built during the American Revolution as a strategic base for an attack on the British at Fort Detroit. Visitors can walk around the grounds and see the fort’s original outline. The Fort Laurens Museum tells the story of the frontier soldiers through videos and artifacts excavated on-site. The visible outline of the fort and the history presented in the museum offer different ways to explore the same historic site.
The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, also a National Historic Landmark, adds another perspective. The museum features exhibits and offers special events about railroad history and the history of World War II. This broadens the range of topics beyond early settlement and frontier history: here, the focus is on railroads and a later period of American history.
On Foot, by Bike, and with a View
The trails also vary in scale. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail is more than 90 miles long and runs south from Cleveland to Bolivar; it can be used for walking or cycling. At eight miles, the Buckhorn Creek Trail is considerably shorter. It has a limestone surface and runs between Newcomerstown and Stone Creek. The distances give you a concrete basis for comparing routes.
At Camp Tuscazoar, hikers may use all trails; Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the mountain bike trails. Pioneer Point is an authentic Indigenous overlook with panoramic views of the northern Tuscarawas River Valley. The W.C. Moorhead Museum displays photographs, books, uniforms, badges, artifacts, and other memorabilia about the camp’s history and scouting in the region. Here, you can bring together trails, a scenic view, and a deeper look at scouting history.
A Park with Historic Rides
Tuscora Park adds three swimming pools, historic rides, and mini golf to the area’s historic attractions. Its historic carousel dates from 1928 and has been in operation there since 1941. Alongside its other activities, the park offers a tangible piece of local amusement ride history.
Discover more destinations: Newcomerstown, New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville, Dover, Sugarcreek, Gallia County, Morrow County, Allen.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
