Ohio isn’t just about history and nature. It also has some really unusual places that will make you look twice.
For example, there’s this huge building in Newark that looks exactly like a big picnic basket, called the Longaberger Basket Building. It shows off Ohio’s history of making things by hand.
Then there’s Cornhenge in Dublin, which is a fun way of honoring Ohio’s farming background with lots of big concrete corn statues.
If you’re into knights and castles, you’ll love Chateau Laroche, also known as the Loveland Castle, for a little taste of medieval times.
The Temple of Tolerance in Wapakoneta is a peaceful place with lots of interesting rock sculptures to think about.
And you can’t miss the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock in Sugarcreek, which really shows how Ohio loves unique and fun stuff.
These places are perfect examples of how Ohio is full of surprises and a sense of fun.
The Longaberger Basket Building
The Longaberger Basket Building in Newark, Ohio, is a unique building shaped like a huge picnic basket. Built in 1997, it’s a perfect example of a fun, eye-catching design.
The company that made it, Longaberger, is famous for their handmade maple wood baskets, and this building is a big part of how they get people’s attention. They paid a lot of attention to making the building look just like their top-selling baskets, complete with handles and tags that look like copper and wood.
It really stands out and makes people want to come see it. This isn’t just a cool building; it shows how a company can use creativity to make a place that captures what they’re all about.
Cornhenge: Concrete Corn Field
In Dublin, Ohio, there’s a unique art display called Cornhenge, with 109 concrete corn statues in a field. It’s also known as Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges). Created by artist Malcolm Cochran and completed in 1994, this artwork spans an acre and stands as a nod to the area’s farming past.
Each concrete ear of corn is over 6 feet tall and reminds us of the vast cornfields that were here before the city grew. When you visit, you’ll see a strange yet fascinating scene that feels like an outdoor museum.
It’s a way to show how much we rely on farming and how our use of the land has changed with time.
Chateau Laroche: Loveland Castle
In Loveland, you can find a special place called Chateau Laroche, also known as Loveland Castle. This impressive castle was built in the 1920s by a man named Harry Andrews, who served as a medic in World War I. Harry Andrews put his heart into creating a castle that looks just like the ones from medieval times. He paid a lot of attention to detail to make sure everything was just right.
Chateau Laroche sits right next to the Little Miami River, and it’s more than just a pretty building. It’s a museum where you can see old swords and armor, and it’s a place where people come to learn about the days of knights and their traditions.
When you visit, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into another era. You can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, look around the big rooms, and be amazed by the incredible stonework that Harry Andrews worked on for so many years. Chateau Laroche is a rare chance to see how people in the past valued bravery and the skill of making things by hand.
If you’re interested in history or love seeing how things were made a long time ago, you should definitely check out Loveland Castle. It’s not just a walkthrough; it’s an experience that shows you a slice of the past and the values that were important then, like honor and craftsmanship.
The Temple of Tolerance
Visit the Temple of Tolerance in Wapakoneta to see a special place that celebrates peace and acceptance. Jim Bowsher created it right in his backyard. He filled it with a fascinating mix of large rocks and stones, some with motivational messages carved into them, and others set up for visitors to find a quiet spot to think.
As you walk through, you’ll see historical items mixed into the layout, each with its own tale of overcoming challenges and the strength of the human spirit.
The Temple of Tolerance is more than just a place to look at; it’s an invitation for everyone to come together and consider how important it is to be tolerant and to appreciate how different we all are.
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
In Sugarcreek, Ohio, you’ll find the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, a huge clock that people from all over come to see. It’s a big deal because it shows off the Swiss skills of clock-making and celebrates the local Amish community’s handcrafted work. They first built this clock in the 1970s and have since fixed it up so it’s as good as new, making it a special part of the town’s history and everyday life.
Every 30 minutes, there’s a fun show where a cuckoo bird pops out and little figures dance to polka music. It’s a charming performance that really sticks with you and shows off Ohio’s love for unique attractions.
Conclusion
Ohio is home to some really unusual places that are great for visitors. You can see the Longaberger Basket Building, which is an amazing building shaped like a giant basket, and Cornhenge, a field full of concrete corn statues.
These places, along with Chateau Laroche (a castle built by hand) and the Temple of Tolerance (a garden full of sculptures), are fun to explore and show off the wild and creative sides of Ohio’s culture.
They’re a celebration of the many ways people can be creative and the joy of being a little different.
