The Wood County Driving Tour
Listen here or pick up a CD from any Wood County Library
To shed some light on how the Great Black Swamp and early settlers shaped this community, many different historical and cultural agencies throughout Wood County combined efforts to produce a 32-track Driving Tour.
Whether you are a long-time resident or a visitor to Northwest Ohio, you can enjoy a scenic driving tour through Wood County’s past and present. Notice the impact the Black Swamp left on the land. Learn about the adventurous lives of heroes buried in our cemeteries. Take a deeper look at the architecture and natural resources.
This Driving Tour doesn’t quite cover all 617 square miles of Wood County, but you will surely discover roads and Historical Markers that are new to you. There is no particular order or time frame for this tour. Start where you like. End where you like. Tackle a few towns today, and a few more next weekend.
We encourage you to carve out your own adventures, and stop to enjoy today’s scenery as well.
Listen here on your smartphone or tablet, or pick up a CD from any Wood County Library.
Jump to a track
The Rise of Wood County
THE RISE OF WOOD COUNTY
Narrated by Kelli Kling
Music: “Westfork Girls” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 1 (3:16)
An abundant agricultural resource from the Great Black Swamp.
Pemberville
Town Hall & Opera House
Narrated by James Barnes
Music: “Shoefly” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 2 (1:37)
The quaint brick road quickly sets the tone of the late 1800s. A historical marker provides additional insight.
The Village of Pemberville
Narrated by James Barnes
Music: “Nail that Catfish” composed by Steve Rozin, performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 3 (1:16)
The railroad depot is down the road at the intersection of Main and Hickory Streets.
Village of Pemberville:
www.pemberville.org
Pemberville Library:
www.pembervillelibrary.org
William Henry Harrison Park
Narrated by James Barnes
Music: “Baby-O” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 4 (0:45)
An historical marker provides additional insight.
Pemberville’s Most Legendary Citizen
Narrated by James Barnes
Music: “Banish Misfortune” performed by Carrie Stuckert
Track 5 (0:40)
The Pemberville Cemetery is on Fish Road, south of Alexander Road.
Fostoria
Narrated by Larry Nader; Introduction by Stephen Merrill
Music: “Chase That Squirrel” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 6 (2:17)
When the swamp was filled between neighboring towns Rome and Risdon, Fostoria found its name from Charles W. Foster.
www.fostoria.org |
www.fostoriaglass.com
Fostoria Area Historical Society and Museum: 121 W. North St., 419.435.4664.
The Glass Heritage Gallery & Museum: 109 N. Main St., 419.435.5077
North Baltimore
The Great Black Fire of North Baltimore
Narrated by Craig Lammers
Music: “Wayfaring Stranger“ performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 7 (1:32)
The Great Black Fire destroyed much of the thriving downtown.
North Baltimore Area Historical Center
Narrated by Craig Lammers
Music: “Shove that Pig’s Foot Further in the Fire” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 8 (1:29)
A historical marker provides additional insight to the Queen Anne style Dirk/Richcreek House, built in 1879.
North Baltimore Area Historical Center: 229 N. Main St., 419.257.2266; www.wcnet.org/~nbahs/main.htm
The Murder of 1932
Narrated by Randy Brown; Introduction by Ashley Paessun
Music: “Star of the County Downs” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 9 (2:44)
The plaque honoring Police Marshall Ray Davis is at the entrance of the alley that runs behind the library.
North Baltimore Public Library: 230 N. Main St., 419.257.3621; nbpubliclibrary.org
The Oil & Gas Boom
Narrated by Kelli Kling
Music performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 10 (2:47)
A tribute to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Jackson Cutoff
Narrated by Delbert Brown
Music: “Cowhide Boots” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 11 (0:38)
AA lasting impression of Wood County’s drainage system. You can see it as you drive though Milton Center on Mermill Road.
Pottertown
Narrated by Robert Columber; Introduction by Kelli Kling
Music: “Red Rose” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 12 (3:45)
Faced with too many conflicts, this pioneer town succumbed to disaster and now marks a ghost town’s history.
Grand Rapids
From Gilead to the Canals
Narrated by Conni Johnson
Music: “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 13 (4:08)
Drive down Front and Second Streets to admire historical markers and the restored canal town. From RT 578, cross the Maumee River to take a canal boat ride or visit Providence Metropark and the Isaac Ludwig Mill.
Village of Grand Rapids: 419.832.5305; www.grandrapidsohio.com
Providence Metropark: 419.407.9741; www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/providence
Seven Eagles Historic Center: 16486 Wapakoneta Rd., 419.509.0095; www.seven-eagles.com
Dominick Labino
Narrated by Conni Johnson
Music: “Spring in the Midwest” performed by Jack Schilb
Track 14 (0:38)
You will find this historic marker on RT. 65 just east of RT 578. It overlooks a beautiful view of the Maumee River.
Nazareth Hall
Narrated by R.K. Clark
Music: “Swannanoa Waltz” composed by Rayna Getters, performed by
Root Cellar String Band
Track 15 (3:32)
Once a boys’ boarding school, this stately site is now a premiere wedding facility.
Grand Rapids: The Missionary School
Narrated by Conni Johnson
Music: “Sally Ann” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 16 (1:25)
This historic marker is on RT. 65, east of RT 582 and the Weir Rapids Access to the Maumee River.
Tontogany
Tom Custer and the Custer Homestead
Narrated by Gordon Wenig
Music: “Washington’s Artillery March” and “Yankee Doodle” performed by Andrew and Ian Bova
Track 17 (4:02)
In 1871, the last member of the Custer family moved from the family farm in Tontogany to Michigan.
Perrysburg
Fort Meigs
Narrated by Cathleen Newlove Wenig
Music: “The Girl I Left Behind Me” performed by Andrew and Ian Bova
Track 18 (2:34)
The site of the largest wooden walled reconstructed fort in North America.
Fort Meigs: 29100 W. River Rd., 419.874.4121; www.fortmeigs.org
Ohio Historical Society: www.ohiohistory.org
The Wood County Jail
Narrated by Michael Sibbersen
Music: “Nixon’s Farewell” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 19 (1:31)
Now a private residence at 240 W. Indiana Avenue.
The Beginnings of Perrysburg
Narrated by Dorsey Sergent
Music: “Wild Mountain Thyme” performed by Carrie Stuckert
Track 20 (1:40)
Take Louisiana Avenue down to the Maumee River to admire the Commodore Perry statue.
City of Perrysburg: www.ci.perrysburg.oh.us
Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce: www.perrysburgchamber.com
Convention & Visitors Bureau: 105 Indiana Ave., 419.874.9147 www.visitperrysburg.com
Perrysburg Architecture
Narrated by Dorsey Sergent
Music: “Spotted Pony” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 21 (1:43)
St. Rose Parish: 215 E. Front St. Sears & Roebuck box houses: W. 5th St. & W. Indiana Ave.
Willard Way and His Legacy to the City
Narrated by Dorsey Sergent
Music: “Blackberry Blossoms” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 22 (2:38)
Early books that furnished the Way Library came from his personal collection.
Way Public Library: 101 E. Indiana Ave., 419.874.3135; www.waylibrary.info
The 577 Foundation
Narrated by Christie Weininger
Music: “Kansas City Rag” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 23 (2:29)
Thanks to the foresight of Virginia Stranahan, this natural nook of Perrysburg preserves the flora of northwest Ohio.
Rossford
The Legacy of Founder Edward Ford
Narrated by William Obenouer
Music: “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 24 (2:07)
The birth of the Northwest Ohio glass industry.
City of Rossford: www.rossfordohio.com
Rossford Public Library: 720 Dixie Hwy., 419.666.0924; www.rossfordlibrary.org
U.S. Route 20
Narrated by Ann Householder
Music: “Swallow Tail Jig” performed by Carrie Stuckert
Track 25 (3:18)
How long would it take you today to travel this once muddy mess known as “the worst stretch of road in the county?”
Stony Ridge
The Empire House
Narrated by Paul Herringshaw
Music: “Forked Deer” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough
Track 26 (1:19)
One of 31 inns along the 30-mile stretch of road from Perrysburg to Fremont.
Devil’s Hole
Narrated by Ann Householder
Music arranged by Stephen Merrill
Track 27 (0:28)
Devil’s Hole Road runs west to east through Middleton, Webster, and Troy townships, but you might not see a road sign! Rumor has it that the city stopped putting them up because too many signs were stolen.
Bowling Green
Zimmerman School
Narrated by Thomas Bamburowski
Music: “Pig Ankle Rag” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 28 (2:42)
One-room schools once dotted the landscape, but today, this 1892 school is a unique learning tool. 17901 Carter Road.
Wood County Park District: 419.353.1897; www.woodcountyparkdistrict.org
Hull’s Trace (Route 25)
Narrated by Delbert Brown
Music: “Cleveland Marching to the Whitehouse” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 29 (0:26)
The route followed by General William Hull.
Wood County Courthouse
Narrated by Michael Sibbersen
Music: “Claudia’s Tune” performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 30 (3:53)
The clock tower and intricate carvings are just two of courthouse’s interesting features.
Bowling Green Historic District
Narrated by Kellie Greer
Music: “The Paring Glass” and “Boneparte” performed by Carrie Stuckert
Track 31 (4:47)
Deep ditches along the road are clues to the once Great Black Swamp.
Downtown Bowling Green: 419.354.4332 www.downtownbgohio.org
BG Chamber of Commerce: 419.353.7945; www.bgchamber.net
BG Convention & Visitors Bureau: 419.353.9445; www.visitbgohio.org
Wood County Historical Center & Museum
Narrated by Christie Weininger
Music: “Winderslide” composed by Joe LaRose, performed by Root Cellar String Band
Track 32 (3:34)
The former County Infirmary comes to life through educational programs, events, & exhibits.
Credits
Many thanks to all of the individuals and agencies that helped make this tour a reality:
Mary Mennel, The 577 Foundation; Earlene Kilpatrick, Main Street Bowling Green; Michael Sibbersen, Wood County; Bernie Scott, Custer Homestead; Tony Allen, Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce; George Gray and Leonard Skonecki, Fostoria Area Historical Society; Richard Finch, Ft. Meigs; Beckie Finch, Toledo Metroparks; Bonnie Knaggs, North Baltimore Historical Society; Kathy Barnes, James Barnes, and Todd Sheets, Pemberville Freedom Area Historical Society; Robert & Christine Columber, Pottertown; Pam Menchaca, Wood County Park District; Dick & Martha Kudner, Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor; Melinda Gilpin and William Obenour, BGSU; Craig Lammers, Stephen Merrill, and Ashley Paessun, WBGU-FM, Stacie Miles, Kelli Kling, Christie Weininger, Randy Brown, and Michael McMaster, Wood County Historical Center & Museum; Dorsey Sergent, Ann Householder, Tom Bamburowski, Delbert Brown, Conni Johnson, and James Miller, Wood County Historical Society; Judy Justus, Perrysburg Area Historic Museum; Larry Nader; Gordon Wenig; Cathleen Newlove Wenig; Paul Herringshaw; Kellie Greer; and R.K. Clark.
CD Cover photo from the collection of the Wood County Historical Society. CD Cover inset and interior photos courtesy of J.D. Pooley.
Live music performed by The Diamonds in the Rough (Debra Watkins on mandolin and guitar, Jack Schilb on guitar, Bruce Brodie on guitar and banjo, Eddie Podolsky on bass, Carrie Stuckert on fiddle, and Vickie Stuckert on dulcimer), Root Cellar String Band (Lucy Long on fiddle, Steve O’Regan on banjo and mandolin, David Strickler on guitar, and Tom Goodwin on bass), and Ian & Andrew Bova (Andrew on fife and Ian on drum). Additonal music recorded and arranged by Stephen Merrill and Ashley Paessun, WBGU-FM, Bowling Green State University.
