Springfield, Ohio; Tomorrow’s Stars RV Resort

Our trip to Indiana from Medina Ohio required a halfway stop and we ended up staying there for 4 nights.  The town of Springfield is just a few miles away from the campground and had a few things that we enjoyed seeing.  The RV park had many activities going on, a swimming pool, shuffle board, horse shoes, etc.  The only downside was our spot was near the entrance, so there was a steady stream of cars and golf carts parading by.

While the town itself enjoyed a large boom back in the early part of the 1900’s, the last 20 years has seen most manufacturing leave, resulting in many large, older buildings sitting empty.  The town appears to be very depressed without much going on.  We did find a great history museum, a unique little rock garden, and finally a nicely done new brewery.

Heritage Center of Clark County

I found the building itself as interesting as the many contents.  I love the old buildings found in most towns and cities around the country.  It is especially good when they enjoy a second life as a museum or brewery!  More than a century old, and previously Springfield’s City Hall and Marketplace, the Heritage Center has become the home for Springfield and Clark County’s heritage. Priceless mementos have been assembled to open an exciting window on generations of fascinating history.  The Heritage Center of Clark County occupies a 50 feet by 462 feet, 56,000 square foot, brick and stone building in the center of downtown Springfield, originally constructed in 1890 for city offices and a farmers market. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

This long narrow building houses their history museum that highlights events and mementos from the Old National Road – US Route 40.

We found this large display about the Old National Road very interesting as both grew up in towns along this historic road.  While driving sections of US-40 today, you can still see many relics from the 30’s to the 60’s, such as the roadside motels and diners.  Life seemed much slower then before the interstate highway system.  Maybe better?  That is one of the things that we enjoy from this retired life style; slowing down and enjoying the journey.  It all used to be just about the destination.

Hartman Rock Garden

Listed as folk art, we did find it interesting that someone would devote such time to build the displays and that they were still in place to this day.  Today, the location is in a poor section of town and had a somewhat unsafe feel to it. It was built by Ben Hartman back in the great depression years.  Ben was an out of work craftsman who built an amazing amount of details into a few dozen sculptures, such as a Mt. Vernon replica, all made with small round rocks.

Mother Stewart’s Brewery

We found this little gem of a brewery located in an industrial section of town.  Mother Stewart’s gets its name from a temperance movement organizer from Springfield.  Kind of ironic.   From their website:  Eliza Daniel “Mother” Stewart was an important temperance advocate from Springfield, Ohio during the latter half of the nineteenth century. She traveled across the United States and Europe stopping at every saloon, praying for the souls of the barkeepers and their patrons.

Trish could not decide which one to get so order a whole flight!

Have a great day!