This is an ongoing series that explores towns in Ohio with public murals to view, and other unique attractions to enjoy when visiting them.
Ohio is filled with beautiful murals! They are everywhere! They’re in small towns, big cities, along rivers and roads, on historic buildings and bridges, and on barns and silos. They often commemorate a town’s famous residents, accomplishments and landmarks, but sometimes they’re just pure art and expression. Others are genuine folkart. More are being added all the time.
Here in the northern Miami Valley, many readers may have noticed a number of new murals in the area, from the Mills Brothers in Piqua and Annie Oakley in Greenville, to the colorful designs in downtown Tipp City and Troy, or the beautiful murals near the historic National Road in Englewood and in downtown Miamisburg, just to name a few.
The most famous murals in Ohio are no doubt the Portsmouth Floodwall Murals on the Ohio River, seen in this video below. They contain nearly 60 murals that depict 2,000 years of history in the Portsmouth area. They are an extraordinary work of art.
About an hour west of Portsmouth, the Village of Georgetown (the childhood home of Ulysses S Grant) recently completed a massive mural project that depicts Grant’s life and accomplishments on several buildings in the charming (and very Colonial) town square. (Georgetown will be featured in the next issue).
​
Toledo, as you’re about to see, contains the largest mural in the United States (it covers 28 silos and sits next to the Maumee River!), while Cincinnati and Columbus seem to have new murals popping up all the time!
​
They really are everywhere, and it’s a good thing! They’re a great reason to take a road trip (or a Sunday drive) to explore lesser-traveled parts of the Buckeye State and to see fascinating works of art.
While it would be nearly impossible to come up (or keep up) with a travel series that visits every single mural in Ohio, this particular series is setting out to do the best it can. Throughout this series, we’ll be visiting a cluster of towns that not only have beautiful murals to view but also many other attractions (and restaurants) to visit, all in the name of leisurely fun and adventure.
​
Each article (we hope) will take you to places you’ve never been, to learn history you didn’t know about, and to see art that you may never see again…and who knows what else!
For no particular reason, we’ll start with Northwest Ohio and then work our way around the state in other upcoming issues.
​
So, let’s get started! As always, enjoy, drive safely, and stop often!
(YOU CAN READ THIS ARITCLE IN ITS ORIGINAL FORMAT HERE)
The following driving tour will take you to eight charming communities in this mostly rural and historic part of the state—once known as the Great Black Swamp (as is depicted in several murals on the tour). Each community offers its own unique collection of painted masterpieces that bring color and character to the region, as well as a variety of other things to see and do.
​
Forming the shape of a balloon, the tour transverses a total of 325 miles and uses Interstate 75 for a large portion of the trip. It also passes through lovely farmland and a host of bucolic small towns and villages. Look for a number of nurseries and farm markets as well.
​
While the tour can be completed in a single day (albeit a long and fast-paced one), it is probably best to spread it out over two or even three days to truly enjoy everything that this part of the state has to offer, including a stop by the nearby shores of Lake Erie. Many towns along the route have affordable hotels and there are also plenty of campgrounds and Air BnB options throughout the region.
We will be visiting the following towns in this order:
-
Kalida
-
Holgate
-
Napoleon
-
Archbold
-
Wauseon
-
Toledo
-
Bowling Green
-
Findlay
To get started, take Interstate 75 north to Bluelick Road in Lima and turn left (west). Then head north on Ohio Route 115 until you reach Kalida. From here, simply enter the next town on the list in your phone/car and enjoy the route of your choice! We suggest as many back roads as possible, where you’ll pass more interesting sights!
NOTE: Just north of Lima on this route is the Swiss Country Market, 7125 N. West St., Lima. Described as a farm market with a little bit of everything, the Market opens for the season in April and offers locally grown produce, plants and foods, plus gift items, clothing, home décor and more. Might make a good start to the trip…
Some of the oldest murals on this tour can be found in Kalida—a small farming community in Putnam County that’s also home to the “oldest festival in Ohio”—Pioneer Days.
​
Generally speaking, if left alone, the lifespan of most murals is between 5 and 20 years. The murals in downtown Kalida were completed in 2013 by local artist Oscar Valasquez, and still retain much of their detail and color. The murals are located in a small plaza in the center of town at 207 Broad St. and highlight the long history of the festival, which dates back to 1873 and takes place in September. The murals include scenes from past festivals, such as merry-go round rides, a 9/11 memorial, Budweiser Clydesdale horse marches, a parade and more.
While You’re In Town
For a town of less than 1,500 people, Kalida has some pretty good restaurants. This includes the 1820 Brewwerks, which focuses on specialty pizzas, subs, baked spaghetti and, of course, craft beers. They offer a popular pizza and salad buffet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday through Friday. Other local favorites include the Smoke-E’s Bar & Grill, known for its award-winning chicken wings and BBQ sandwiches, and Dick’s Steakhouse.
The newest (and most elaborate) mural in Holgate was completed in the fall of 2024 and depicts, among other things, actor and comedian Joe Brown (1891-1973).
​
A native of Holgate, Brown was one of the most popular comedians in America in the 1930s and 1940s. He may be best-known for his famous punchline in the film Some Like It Hot, where he uttered, “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
​
The mural, located on the side of the Holgate Community Library, also depicts Alene Duerk, the First Female Admiral of the United States Navy (from Holgate), and various books and fictional characters that might be discovered inside of the library.
The mural was painted by Jeff Crabill and is located at 204 Railway Ave.
Six additional murals (created by local students in a folkart style) are on the back of the U.S. Postal Service building at 165 N. Wilhelm St.
While You’re In Town
With just over 1,000 people, there’s not a whole lot to do in Holgate, except for dine at Sager’s Bar & Grill, including breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. The restaurant is known for its burgers, fish and traditional homemade meals, such as meatloaf, a Beef Manhattan and chili. They are located at 140 N. Wilhelm St. and are open daily. You might also want to stop by the Junky Monkey (159 N. Wilhelm) to shop for hidden treasures and unique décor and gifts.
The most notable mural in Napoleon (a town divided by the Maumee River) is based off a 20th century postcard that depicts the town as it was in the past. It was painted by artist Dave Rickerd and is located at 114 W. Clinton St.
​
There’s also a set of six colorful murals on the exterior of a popular restaurant called Spengler’s, established in 1892 and located at 713 N. Perry St. A mural of a woman with long flowing hair lying beneath the stars is located on a beauty salon building across the street.
While You’re In Town
There are a number of interesting places to shop, dine and sightsee in Napoleon. The most obscure is the world-record Giant Campbell’s Soup Can located outside of the Campbell’s Soup Supply Co., 12773 Ohio 110. It’s largest of its kind.
There are two notable antique/home décor shops in historic downtown Napoleon—Memory Keepers, located near the beautiful courthouse at 610 N. Perry St. and Once Upon Another Time, located at 127 W. Washington St., as well as two notable wineries—Leisure Time Winery and The Lumberyard Winery & Supply.
Archbold has only one mural, but it’s one of the most impressive in Ohio (and beyond)!
​
Located on the exterior of the former Rupp Furniture Store at 203 N. Defiance St., the Archbold Mural spans 136 feet and is 26 feet tall. It portrays an antique printer’s tray filled with various artifacts and images from the town’s rich history, including its link to nearby Sauder Village. It was completed by artist David Rickerd in 2021. Some of the images depicted in the mural include a former Postmaster of the town (who helped Archbold become known as “Carp Town” in the 1930s), racecar driver Sam Hornish, images of Sauder Woodworking equipment, a black morph squirrel (Note: Once you pass Lima, squirrels change from their typical brown and gray to black, which helps them keep warm around the Great Lakes region!) and many other nods to the community and its history.
The mural is located at the corner of Stryker Street and Defiance Street, in the middle of town.
While You’re In Town
The most popular attraction in Archbold is Sauder Village—Ohio’s largest living history destination with costumed guides, historic homes and shops and artisans and craftspeople and dining at the historic Barn Restaurant. A close second is Mom’s Diner & Pizzeria, 211 N. Defiance St. Known for its nostalgic 50s-style exterior and interior, this destination restaurant has a menu overflowing with comfort foods, from 10 different salads, 16 subs and specialty pizza to burgers, chicken strips and chicken wings. But they’re not the only game in town. Other dining options include: The Home Restaurant, 218 N. Defiance St., (home-cooked meals, from beef and noodles and stacked turkey to french toast and deep fried fish) and the Samuel Mancino’s Italian Restaurant, known for its flavorful subs.
For shopping, enjoy Ten Thousand Villages (fair-trade crafts and housewares), Bella Rae Boutique (women’s clothing), the Fields of Memories Antique Mall, the Wooden Indian Pawn Shop (5727 Rt. 66) and the Sauder Furniture Store Outlet.
Finally, just west of Archbold at 7503 County Road 2275 is a unique piece of artwork known as “The Arrow.” It’s a giant 56-foot-tall arrow created by Carlos Estrada and the public is welcome to stop and view it and learn more about the artist and his positive message. The nearby Lockport Covered Bridge (a beautiful open air design) and the Wabash Cannonball Trail are also worth a visit/stroll/ride.
The intriguing mural in Wauseon is dedicated to magic and magicians and is located on the exterior of The Vanishing Magic Museum, 113 S. Fulton St. It is titled “It’s Magic in Wauseon” and includes images of Harry Houdini, McDonald Birch, Harry Blackstone Jr. and Dr. Kenneth P. Ladd, who, in fact, owns the museum and hosts various shows at the building, welcoming groups, individuals, schools and more. The museum contains magic from the Blackstones, Harry Houdini Sr. and Junior, McDonald Birch and other vintage items, collectibles and displays. At this time, the museum is open by appointment only, by calling (418) 822-1416. Look for them on Facebook under “The Magic Corner” to see when there will be upcoming shows.
While You’re In Town
The murals can be seen during the popular Wauseon Cruise Night, which features over 500 vehicles and takes place on the third Tuesday of the month, May through September from 6-8 p.m. Notable shops include Junk & Disorderly, Passion 4 Fashion Boutique and A Touch of Magnolia Boutique. Dining includes The Table on Fulton (breakfast and lunch only), the Reelwood Kitchen (serving housemade American eats such as Philly cheesesteak eggrolls) and Warrior Wings.
There some other nearby attractions worthy of a quick side trip. This includes Richard Alan Studios (12207 County Road C, Wauseon), where you can see some of the sculptures in the front yard and Garden View Quilting, open by appointment or walk-ins on Saturday only. Call (937) 631-6211.
​
Just north of town is the Museum & Welcome Center of Fulton County, Ohio, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday on and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays (except Labor Day through Memorial Day). This museum opened in 2018 and is a recreation of the first county courthouse in Fulton County. Inside, visitors can learn about pioneer families through entertaining, informative and interactive journey of exploration through the museum’s permanent and special exhibition galleries. It’s located at 8848 State Highway 108, Wauseon.
Nearby is the Fraker Mill Covered Bridge on the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
Known as the “Largest Mural in the United States,” the Glass City River Wall spans 170,000 square feet and covers 28 silos at the ADM grain facility on the Maumee River’s east bank, just outside of downtown Toledo. It was painted by artist Gabe Gault, with help from local artists, and Eric Henn and depicts sunflowers and portraits of a Native American elder, mother and child. It is meant to “welcome visitors and send a message of hope and positivity.”
Unfortunately, unless you ask permission from the Kuhlman Corporation (a building materials supplier located across the river from the mural), the only way to see the Glass City River Wall is from the Maumee River Bridge on I-75, just south of downtown Toledo. Or, you can take a water taxi to the murals through J&M Cruise Lines. Call (419) 537-1212 for details.
Note: Just north of Toledo in Sylvania are two additional murals, including the Roots of Sylvania, located at 6622 Maplewood Ave. and a new one at 5658 N. Main St.
While You’re In Town
The Hollywood Casino is located a hop skip and a jump from the Glass City River Wall. Not much further is the National Museum of the Great Lakes, the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Zoo. Maybe best of all, Tony Packo’s Restaurant is located just up the road from the mural at 1902 Front St.
This college town is filled with pubs, restaurants and roaming robots that offer snacks and drinks to pedestrians walking on the sidewalk! It also has a variety of different murals to view, mostly in the historic downtown, but also on the campus of Bowling Green University, both of which are accessible on foot.
One of the most notable murals on campus is the Jermoe Library Mural, which takes up the entire side of a building and is currently being restored. Student artists also completed many of the murals in the downtown through the Bowling Green Alleyway Committee. This includes one titled “The Great Black Swamp,” which was an area of northwest Ohio (including modern-day Bowling Green) that was once covered in mosquito-ridden swamps and marshes, only to be drained by settlers in Ohio to become the fertile farmland that it is today. (However, there is a movement to restore a large area of the wetlands, which is seen as a key way to keep phosphorus from polluting Lake Erie).
Many murals in town depict local life, while others are more expressive and modern. More are being added all the time!
While You’re In Town
There are several noteworthy stops in Bowling Green, with the most popular being the Snook’s Dream Cars museum, the Wood County Museum and Carter Historic Farm, a working farm and Depression-era cultural history center that hosts a variety of special events and demonstrations throughout the year. There’s also hiking at the Black Swamp Preserve and Wintergarden Nature Preserve. For a bite to eat, the top-rated restaurants in the city are the Sunset Bistro (comfort foods), Yala Kol (Mediterranean) and The Clay Pot Bistro (European dishes).
Findlay has one of the most diverse collections of public murals in Ohio, all of which are spread throughout the historic community. The local visitor bureau makes it easy to visit (and find each mural) with their Findlay-Hancock County Mural Trail, available online at visitfindlay.com. A physical copy of the map can be picked up at 123 E. Main Cross St. and participating businesses.
Along with 17 murals in Findlay, (ranging from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” to the Statue of Liberty and a floral design) the Mural Trail features three more in the villages of McComb and, finally, Blufton, which happens to be the last town on this tour before returning to the beginning of the loop in Lima!
While You’re In Town
A few rare opportunities await visitors to Findlay. For starters, you can take a ride on the Northwest Ohio Railroad (spring-fall), visit the Mazza Museum (featuring a broad collection of children’s books and original art), shop at Jeffrey’s Antique Gallery, tour the Hancock Historical Museum, take a hike at the Oakwoods Nature Preserve or visit the popular Ghost Town Findlay—a replica of an 1880s era ghost town used for special events, crafts shows, a flea market and a haunted house in the fall!