Exploring the Scenic Appalachian Byway of Ohio
The Appalachian Byway of Ohio (ABO) is a beautiful route to drive during any season of the year. The rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio create the perfect backdrop for a leisurely drive. Meandering through four counties, Monroe, Noble, Morgan and Athens, Route 78 is full of jaw dropping landscapes, amazing history, great food and unbelievable architecture.
Planning your route
You can pick up Route 78 in Clarington or in Historic Downtown Nelsonville. For this article, you will get the perspective of driving the route from Clarington and heading west to Nelsonville. The drive is 2 ½ hours straight through with no stops. Obviously, you’ll want to enjoy the sites along the way, so I’d plan on a solid day to really get the most out of your experience.
My aunt and I began our exploration by driving to Monroe County the night before, so we would have an early start. We spent the night at the Kindleberger Homestead which I highly recommend! This farm has been in the family since 1846, has the most intriguing stone barn and offers a cozy, newly built cabin for lodging. You can read a full article about our stay here.
Monroe County
Beginning in Clarington, near the Ohio River, the first thing you’ll see on the Appalachian Byway of Ohio is a beautiful mural painted on the side of a barn depicting the Ohio River and the Liberty steamboat. The Ohio Valley River Museum is a block away. It was closed at the time of our travels, so please check their website for further information. A great view of the Ohio River can be seen at Kiedaisch Point which is a few miles south of Clarington.
Shortly after you head down the road, off to the left, you will see the first of many barn quilts that dot the landscape along the route. This particular quilt square faces the road but sits back behind a two-story covered porch home.
Piatt Park
Further on down the road, you will see signs on the right for Piatt Park. This nature preserve has a hiking trail that leads to a waterfall, rock outcroppings and a cave. The trail head is near the picnic table area and you will want to head to the right if the waterfall is your main destination.
Woodsfield
Driving into Woodsfield, you’ll find the stately Hollister Parry House to the left. There is also a dairy museum and a reconstructed one-room schoolhouse on the premises.
The Monroe County Courthouse is a majestic architectural structure to take a few minutes to admire. Across the street from the courthouse sits The Monroe Theatre, a beautiful, art deco building, which is still in operation.
Mail Pouch Barns
Throughout Ohio’s history, tobacco production was a huge employer. Add in the plentiful barns that sit next to the road and it creates the perfect scenario for barn mural advertising. Mail Pouch was one of the most proliferate companies to take advantage of this opportunity. Along the Appalachian Byway of Ohio, you will see multiple Mail Pouch barns, each portraying its own personality.
Something else to keep an eye out for are all the purple martin nesting gourds. I have never driven down a road where so many colonies are housed. Seeing the multitude of nesting boxes is an ode to the residents for keeping this species’ population thriving. The birds are a natural insect control and are extremely fascinating to learn about.
Noble County
By this time in the drive, your appetite will start to take precedence. A great place to stop is Patty’s Place in Caldwell. Homemade cooking at its best. Breakfast is served all day, as well as a full lunch menu. We both ordered fried green tomatoes that were cooked to perfection.
Shenandoah Crash Sites
From Patty’s you can head north a few miles on Route 284 and check out two of the three Shenandoah crash sites. The first crash site is right off the main route and the second location is about 2.5 miles further down the country road. There are signs leading you to the crash site. At Site #2, there is a nice memorial with a lot of reading material to give you further insight as to what happened and why. No part of the actual plane remains. The third crash site is further west on Route 78.
The Wilds
Continuing north on Route 284, you will come to The Wilds. This open air safari is not what you’d expect to find in Central Ohio. Buses transport you around the 9,154 acres allowing you to view lions, giraffes, zebras and more grazing in open fields. This is an extension of the Columbus Zoo and a great opportunity to learn about these exotic creatures. Ziplining and overnight lodging is available.
Caldwell
Back on the Appalachian Byway of Ohio, you’ll come to the small town of Caldwell. In the heart of the town, you will see the Noble County Courthouse, the Historic Jail Museum, and many beautiful old buildings. I encourage you to take a few minutes to drive around the block before continuing west.
Morgan County
An item that has been on my bucket list (no pun intended) for several years is the enormous Muskie Bucket. This mammoth piece sits on the grounds of the Jesse Owens State Park. You really cannot fathom how large the bucket really is until you get up close. The park has a nice shelter filled with information and fun facts about the Big Muskie. The Miner’s Memorial Park is a reclamation of the land that was once striped of coal. Hundreds of acres have been planted with millions of trees and it is now a great resource for all to enjoy.
McConnelsville
Mojo’s Dip-in-Sip
Arriving in McConnelsville is a visual thrill because there are so many beautiful buildings and architectural elements to admire. I recommend making your first stop at MoJo’s Dip-in-Sip on the west side of town by the historic iron bridge. My aunt and I were both treated with waffle cones heaped with peach custard. It was SO flavorful. Real peach chunks blended perfectly to make a great afternoon snack.
McConnelsville is a town that you will want to allot 1-3 hours of your day to genuinely enjoy all it has to offer. I would recommend buying your favorite dessert at MoJo’s and taking a leisurely walk up and down Main Street, so you can get a personal look at all of the buildings. This also allows you the chance to shop in some of the unique stores and visit the museums.
Here is a list of buildings/stores/museums to check out:
- Old Bridge Brewery Co.
- Morgan County Herald
- Crumb & Coffee
- McConnelsville Opera House
- Morgan County Courthouse
- Morgan County Historical Society Museum
- Evelyn True Button House
- Dori’s Flower Shop
- Stanberry Building
- Morris Hardware
Old Bridge Brewery Company
If a cold brew is sounding good, be sure to stop in at the Old Bridge Brewery Company. Once an old auto body shop, it has now been beautifully transformed into a cozy brewery with both indoor and outdoor seating. Even if you sit outside, be sure to go inside to see the large table with a boat overhead which is being used as the lighting fixture. Take note of the table’s base as it mimics the city’s iconic, historical iron bridge.
Maxwell’s Pizza
How does rooftop dining, a view of the Muskingum River and great pizza sound? It was a must in our minds! Maxwell’s Pizza offers a large menu, but my favorite is the personal pizza. Seating choices include comfy sofas, hanging swivel chairs, high top tables and countertop stools. Large TVs, ceiling fans, and humorous signs add to the already great ambiance.
Before leaving McConnelsville, be sure to drive down to the Mount Airy Mansion. Reading the history of Frances Dana Gage is quite interesting and the house itself is a spectacle to admire. You can imagine what a view the homeowners had when they first built this Federal style home, overlooking the valley and rolling hills.
Fun Fact: The smallest Kroger in the U.S. is in McConnelsville, Ohio.
Malta
As you drive through Malta, you’ll come to a 3 in 1 destination. The Malta school bell sits along side the road. Directly behind the sandstone wall is the Rock Hollow one-room schoolhouse and the Morgan County Dungeon. Just to be clear, kids were not kept in the dungeon for misbehavior. The three historical items have been moved from their original locations and rebuilt for preservation.
A few miles off the Appalachian Byway of Ohio (Route 78), you will find the Helmick Covered Bridge. You can drive across the bridge and park along the road for further exploration. The riverbed was exceptionally low during our visit, so we were able to walk over the sandstone and see up under the bridge. When the river is a bit higher, a nice cascading waterfall can be enjoyed.
Nelsonville
Heading back on the ABO, you will encounter more scenic views and small settlements. Nelsonville will be your next big destination. This town’s history has a lot to offer in both facts and opportunities. The train depot still provides scenic and themed train rides throughout the year. You can access the current train schedule here. Old train cars are parked on the track for you to walk by and reminisce.
Nelsonville’s town square is a quaint and cozy part of the city with active commerce and beautiful scenery. Lined with their famed six-point star bricks, the square is a great place to stretch your legs and get something to eat. Rhapsody’s serves up fine dishes prepared by the culinary students at Hocking College. It’s a great example of higher education and the community working together to support each other, so all can thrive.
The Appalachian Byway of Ohio is a grand opportunity to take in the culture, history and scenes that encompass Southeastern Ohio. It is a natural gem that has been enhanced by generations before us. Regardless of which direction you travel, you’ll have fantastic views and interesting stops to fill your day.
I would like to thank the Noble County Visitors Bureau and the Ohio State University Extension for sponsoring my trip. As with all of my articles, I experienced everything first hand and all opinions are my own.
I’d love to hear about your experience on the Appalachian Byway of Ohio in the comments below. Pictures of the various barns and covered bridges are encouraged.
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