Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for June, 2026

Noble County Celebrates America 250

This Noble County America 250 coin was designed locally.

This year the United States is commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Counties throughout Ohio are celebrating in various ways. Noble County has plans throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy.

In 1776, the land would still have been a wilderness with Indians keeping watch on any hunters or trappers that ventured that way. The first settlers in the Noble County area were New Englanders coming from Marietta up the valley of Duck Creek. The area was rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, building stone, petroleum and salt. Many were involved in farming after the Treaty of Greenville ended the Indian threat in this part of Ohio. It was among the first places in the Northwest Territory to be surveyed by Rufus Putnam and settled by Revolutionary War veterans.

The Tourist Information Cabin is located at the Noble County Fairground where July 4th celebration takes place.

250 years later, Caldwell is a thriving small town that is joining in the America 250 celebration in several ways. The celebration began with their 49th Art on the Square but this year with the square under construction, they called it Art off the Square. Besides the art displays, there were several small bands playing on a stage decorated in red, white, and blue.

Caldwell is continuing their celebration on June 29 with a movie in Floral Hall at the Fairgrounds sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Fair Board. “The Pledge” (also called “Doughboy”) stars a local actor, Barrett Carnahan, and is free to the public.

This is the 28th year for the Car Show at the Fairgrounds.

July 4th seems to be the day for the biggest events all across Ohio. In Caldwell, spend all day enjoying music, fun, and festivities. It begins at the Noble County Fairgrounds with the Noble County Cruiser Car Show – 28 years and still rolling. There will also be a Story Walk at the Fairgrounds sponsored by the 4-H Council using the book “The Flag We Love” which tells how our flag has become an enduring part of our nation’s tradition and heritage.

This is a great view of the Fairgrounds during a previous year’s Car Show.

The 4-H Chicken BBQ starts at 11 am until they sell out which is always before 3 pm. The awards will be at 3 pm. Proceeds from this event will support local 4-H members.

The Floral Hall will be a busy place with displays set up along the sides and picnic tables down the middle of the hall for eating a meal. Or you might rather bring a blanket and sit outside to have a picnic.

Floral Hall is a great place to learn more about Noble County or just sit and relax with friends.

The displays will cover a wide range of family friendly activities all in one place. There will be free gifts, kites to make, a community puzzle, temporary tattoos and more. America 250 Ohio will make available special Homecoming Kits, courtesy of Cenovus Energy. America 250 Noble and the Noble County Historical Society will have displays from 1876 to1976.

There will be representatives from 4-H, Veterans, D.A.R., and Friends for OR&W Railroad, who will talk to you about early railroads. The Performing Arts group and Noble County Genealogy will each have a table. Don’t miss the giant birthday cake!

Happy Time Pool is the perfect place to cool off during the day.

For those who want to cool off on a hot summer day, the Happy Time Pool on the Fairgrounds will be open from 11 am to 5:30 pm. A great place to relax!

Outside you will find the banner made by the Noble Correction Institute with the names of the Revolutionary War veterans buried in Noble County. There will be a handout with a list for those who want to go to the cemetery. At 5:30, there will be a short program about the Revolutionary War Veterans.

Food vendors will open at 4 pm for the afternoon picnic if you don’t want to bring your own food. Red, white, and blue popcorn will be made on site for you to enjoy. Cornhole games will be available in the afternoon.

Little Creek Band will provide musical entertainment during the evening before the fireworks.

Little Creek Band will play from 6 – 8 pm on the RO Stage. They play a wide variety of music including classic rock, prime, and newer country. Come out and enjoy this Noble County group.

The day ends at 10 pm with a fireworks display at the fairgrounds that will light up the sky. It is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses.

America 250 events continue throughout Noble County. Here are a sampling of those events:

  • Batesville, July 1, is opening a 1976 time capsule and planting a White Oak America 250 tree.
  • Belle Valley, July 11, celebrates America 250 downtown with a bounce house, games and a benefit dinner.
  • Fireman’s Festival, July 23-25, starts off with a big parade to celebrate small town Americana at its best.
  • Seneca Township, August 11, is having a homecoming picnic.
  • Thorla McKee Park Open Door, September 12, 2-4 pm, shares stories of the first oil well in America and the railroad.
  • Noble County Historical Society Open Door
  • Appalachian Foothills Fall Festival and Iron and Power Show, September 19-20, will have the Revolutionary War Veterans Banner and a giant birthday cake for America’s 250th birthday.

In 2026, Ohio has set up several America 250 Trails throughout the state to promote its history, and Noble County is included in three of those trails.

Noble County is part of the new America 250 – Ohio Transportation Trail, which includes more than 80 locations tied to Ohio’s transportation history. There are six planned routes for this Trails & Tales program.

This red caboose serves as a historical marker for the area’s railroad legacy.

The site being featured in Noble County is the Caldwell Caboose No. 33, which is located at the Thorla McKee Well Site at the intersection of state routes 78 and 584. The caboose was donated by the Clarence and Geneva Lowman family in 1993 and serves as a historical marker of the region’s railroad legacy. The BZ&C Railroad played an important role in transportation of coal, oil, timber, freight and passengers. This provided economic growth in Noble County during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The original sycamore casing can still be seen at the Thorla McKee Oil Well site.

Another exciting trail, America 250 – Ohio Innovation Trail includes the Thorla McKee Oil Well. In 1814, Noble County was the first to strike oil in North America. Silas Thorla and Robert McKee were searching for salt and came up with oil, which they sold as salve and a “cure-all” called Seneca Oil.

The Historic Jail Museum housed both prisoners and the sheriff.

For the history buff, America 250- Ohio Air & Space Trail includes the Historic Jail Museum. Built in 1882, the jail in those days was a place where both the jail and the sheriff’s residence were under one roof. See unique displays of that old jail plus more. It is located on “The Square” in downtown Caldwell.

Sounds like there are many ways to enjoy America 250. Join in the celebration of 250 years of independence with your family and friends in Noble County in 2026.

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Back Roads, Family Fun, History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Harrison County Celebrates America 250

While celebrating the semi quincentennial of the United States, Harrison County as well as most counties in Ohio have planned several special events for this occasion.

It is only natural to wonder what Harrison County was like 250 years ago. At that time it was an untamed wilderness in the Ohio Country filled with thick forests. It was the “Wild West’ at that time as it was west of the Ohio River. It’s primary use then was a hunting grounds for several Native American tribes. The first white settlers were appearing in the region in 1776, particularly along Short Creek. Fort Henry in what is today’s Wheeling was established to protect the white settlers from the Indian attacks. Only the adventuresome were in what we call Harrison County today.

Today’s Harrison County is filled with small towns of friendly people, who enjoy being away from the big city atmosphere. Join in the celebration of America 250 throughout the year with some of the following America 250 events.

Deersville Community VFD. May 23. Uncle Sam wants you to stop by the Annual Fireman’s Festival to celebrate America 250. It features their annual water battle between departments. The parade begins at 3:00. Enjoy their fish fry and Chinese Auction while in town. Remember to stop by Deersville General Store for some patriotic ice cream flavors: Apple Pie, Whitehouse, Fireworks, Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Chocolate, and Birthday Cake.

Cadiz Downtown

A busy day is planned for July 11 in Cadiz with most events being in the vicinity of the Harrison County Courthouse. It all begins with a pancake breakfast followed by interesting historical talks, a car show, and more.

A Clark Gable movie was the perfect choice for Ohio at the Movies.

Puskarich Library. The staff of the library will have games for the youngsters to play from 11-12. The library has already had several America 250 events and plan more for later this year. Previous events included: Dangerfield Newby’s Fight for Freedom, Ohio at the Movies with Clark Gable in Mutiny on the Bounty, Local Revolutionary War Patriots of Harrison County, and Project Johnny Appleseed.

Bake your favorite Apple Pie for the contest in downtown Cadiz on July 11.

Apple Pie Baking Contest. Following that Good Old USA saying of “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet,” an Apple Pie baking contest will be a highlight of the day. Entries must be there by noon and winners will be announced before the parade.

Many of the events in Cadiz for America 250 on July 11 will be in the vicinity of the Harrison County Courthouse.

Harrison County Courthouse‘s courtroom will be the place to learn the history of America at 10:30. Later, at 12:30 you will learn about the history of Appalachia on the courthouse steps. History will be given by Atty. Charles Adrian Pincola of Cadiz. The Harrison County Bicentennial Bell, cast in 2003, is located at the courthouse and will be included in the presentation.

Songs by the Harrison County Choral Group will put you in a patriotic spirit for America 250.

Harrison County Choral Group. At 12:30, a selection of patriotic songs will be presented on the courthouse steps by members of this local musical group.

America 250 Parade. The parade will end the day downtown at 2:00 pm. It will follow the usual parade route from S. Main Street to East Market Street. Everybody loves a parade.

Catch the spirit of America during the Freedom Race at Sally Buffalo Park with American flags flying.

Sally Buffalo Park. Celebrate the 250th anniversary of our freedoms. A Freedom 5K race will be held in the afternoon of July 11 with entrants carrying American flags as they race. Prizes will be given to the Most Patriotic dressed male and female. The oldest person there will receive a miniature Statue of Liberty award. There will be food vendors and beer gardens at the park all day for refreshments.

Their new stage is the perfect place for concerts all summer long.

The Mark at the Park. Throughout the day on July 11, there will be free concerts including Gage Joseph Band, The Michael Weber Show and Crush (Bon Jovi Tribute). All of this is followed by a dynamic Fireworks Display at dark.

Get a close up view of National Guard helicopters when they land at Sally Buffalo Park.

Veterans / First Responders Jamboree. Sept. 12. The sixth annual Jamboree opens at 9:00 sponsored by Operation Veteran Payback in honor of America 250. There is a free breakfast from 9-11 for all Veterans, First Responders, and their spouses. This is furnished by Operation Veteran Payback with the assistance of Adena American Legion Post Auxiliary. It will be a great time to observe helicopters from Ohio and WV National Guard as they fly over and land at Sally Buffalo Park. A 2.2K Suicide Awareness Walk will take place. Bands will fill the evening with music.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Faith Ranch on horseback. Reserve a time sometime soon.

Harvest Festival at Faith Ranch. Sept. 19. Experience the beauty of early fall with activities for all ages. Enjoy baked goods, handcrafted decorations, festive snacks, crafts, and games. There will even be inflatables and a hay castle! Celebrate America 250 with some traditional events such as a scenic hayride or pony rides. Pre-register for a 30-minute trail ride just like they did in those early days. Admission is free and tickets/wristbands can be purchased for activities. Join in their fall festivities!

All 88 Ohio counties are creating special events for America 250, our nation’s 250th birthday. Watch for patriotic happenings in your home town. Give thanks for all our special freedoms.

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Back Roads, Festivals, History, Music, Nature, Ohio, Uncategorized

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