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There is no particular order or time frame for this tour. We encourage you to carve out your own adventures, but we did include this basic map to ensure that you drive past each of the highlights mentioned in this CD. For additional detail, pick up a Wood County Highway Map at the Wood County Historical Center & Museum (TRACK 32).

DON’T GET STUCK IN THE ROAD! Visit www.buckeyetraffic.org/otis/roads/ for ODOT’s up-to-date road closures and detours.

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W O O D C O U N T Y D R I V I N G T O U RWhether 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 drive down roads and past 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, but we did include a basic map to ensure that you drive past each of the highlights mentioned in this CD. For additional detail, pick up a Wood County Highway Map at the Wood County Historical Center & Museum (TRACK 32). We suggest mapping out your route in advance, and when you reach your destination town, stop, look, and listen.

E N J O Y Y O U R T O U R !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; Mike 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 Raber, 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. Cover photo from the collection of the Wood County Historical Society. 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.

DON’T GET STUCK IN THE ROAD! Visit www.buckeyetraffic.org/otis/roads/ for ODOT’s up-to-date road closures and detours.

1The Rise of Wood County [3:16] Narrated by Kelli Kling. Music: “Westfork Girls” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

Welcome to the Wood County Driving Tour. This project was a joint effort from the many different historical and cultural agencies throughout the county that want to shed some light on how the swamp and the settlers shaped this community rich with heritage. For more information about Wood County: www.co.wood.oh.us

2 Pemberville Town Hall and Opera House [1:37] Narrated by James Barnes. Music: “Shoofly” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

The quaint brick road quickly sets the tone of the late 1800s. A historical marker provides additional insight.

3The Village of Pemberville [1:16] Narrated by James Barnes.

Music: “Nail that Catfish” composed by Steve Rozin, performed by Root Cellar String Band. The railroad depot is down the road at the intersection of Main and Hickory Streets. For more information: Pemberville Library: 375 E. Front St. 419.287.4012.

www.pembervillelibrary.org/pemberville

4Pemberville: William Henry Harrison Park [0:45] Narrated by James Barnes. Music: “Baby-O” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

A historical marker provides additional insight.

5Pemberville’s Most Legendary Citizen [0:40] Narrated by James Barnes. Music: “Banish Misfortune” performed by Carrie Stuckert.

The Pemberville Cemetery is on Fish Road, south of Alexander Road.

6Fostoria [2:17] Narrated by Larry Nader. Introduction by Stephen Merrill.

Music: “Chase That Squirrel” performed by Root Cellar String Band. For more information: Fostoria Area Historical Society and Museum: 121 W. North St. 419.435.4664.

Village of Fostoria: 419.435.0404. www.fostoria.org The Glass Heritage Gallery & Museum: 109 N. Main St. 419.435.5077. www.fostoriaglass.com

7The Great Black Fire of North Baltimore [1:32] Narrated by Craig Lammers. Music: “Wayfaring Stranger” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough.

The Great Black Fire destroyed much of the thriving downtown.

8North Baltimore Area Historical Center [1:29] Narrated by Craig Lammers.

Music: “Shove that Pig’s Foot Further in the Fire” performed by Root Cellar String Band. A historical marker provides additional insight to the Queen Anne style Dirk/Richcreek House, built in 1879. For more information: 229 N. Main St. 419.257.2266. www.wcnet.org/~nbahs/main.htm

9The Murder of 1932 [2:44] Narrated by Randy Brown. Introduction by Ashley Paessun.

Music: “Star of the County Downs” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough. The plaque honoring Police Marshall Ray Davis is at the entrance of the alley that runs

behind the library.

10North Baltimore: The Oil & Gas Boom [2:47] Narrated by Kelli Kling. Music performed by The Diamonds in the Rough.

For more information: North Baltimore Public Library: 230 N. Main St. 419.257.3621. northbaltimore.oplin.org

11Jackson Cutoff [0:38] Narrated by Delbert Brown. Music: “Cowhide Boots” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

A lasting impression of Wood County’s drainage system. You can see it as you drive though Milton Center on Mermill Road.

12Pottertown [3:45] Narrated by Robert Columber. Introduction by Kelli Kling.

Music: “Red Rose” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough. Faced with too many conflicts, this pioneer town succumbed to disaster and now

marks a ghost town’s history.

13 From Gilead to the Canals [4:08] Narrated by Conni Johnson.

Music: “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough. Historical markers adorn the outskirts of the downtown. Drive down Front and Second Streets

to admire 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.

For more information: 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.artscouncillew.org/spaces/

14Dominick Labino [0:38] Narrated by Conni Johnson. Music: “Spring in the Midwest” performed by Jack Schilb.

You will find this historic marker on RT. 65 just east of RT 578. It overlooks a beautiful view of the Maumee River.

15Nazareth Hall [3:32] Narrated by R.K. Clark. Music: “Swannanoa Waltz” composed by Rayna Getters, performed by Root Cellar String Band. For more information: www.nazarethhall.com

16Grand Rapids: The Missionary School [1:25] Narrated by Conni Johnson. Music: “Sally Ann” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

This historic marker is on RT. 65, east of RT 582 and the Weir Rapids Access to the Maumee River.

17Tom Custer and the Custer Homestead [4:02]Narrated by Gordon Wenig.

Music: “Washington’s Artillery March” and “Yankee Doodle” performed by Andrew and Ian Bova. In 1871, the last member of the Custer family moved from the family farm in

Tontogany to Michigan.

18Fort Meigs [2:34] Narrated by Cathleen Newlove Wenig.

Music: “The Girl I Left Behind Me” performed by Andrew and Ian Bova. For more information: Fort Meigs: 29100 W. River Rd. 419.874.4121. www.fortmeigs.org Ohio Historical Society: www.ohiohistory.org

19The Wood County Jail [1:31]Narrated by Michael Sibbersen. Music: “Nixon’s Farewell” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

For more information: www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/oh/Wood/state.html

20Perrysburg: The Beginnings of Perrysburg [1:40]Narrated by Dorsey Sergent. Music: “Wild Mountain Thyme” performed by Carrie Stuckert.

Take Louisiana Avenue down to the Maumee River to admire the Commodore Perry statue. For more information: City of Perrysburg: www.ci.perrysburg.oh.us

Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce: 105 Indiana Ave. 419.874.9147. www.perrysburgchamber.com Convention & Visitors Bureau: 105 Indiana Ave. 419.874.9147. www.visitperrysburg.com

21Perrysburg Architecture [1:43]Narrated by Dorsey Sergent. Music: “Spotted Pony” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

St. Rose Parish: 215 E. Front St. Sears & Roebuck box houses: W. 5th St. & W. Indiana Ave.

22Willard Way and His Legacy to the City [2:38]Narrated by Dorsey Sergent. Music: “Blackberry Blossoms” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough.

For more information: Way Public Library: 101 E. Indiana Ave. 419.874.3135. www.waylibrary.info

23 The 577 Foundation [2:29]Narrated by Christie Raber. Music: “Kansas City Rag” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

Thanks to the foresight of Virginia Stranahan, this natural nook of Perrysburg preserves the f lora of northwest Ohio.

For more information: 577 Foundation: 577 E. Front St. 419.874.4174. www.577foundation.org

24Rossford: The Legacy of Founder Edward Ford [2:07]Narrated by William Obenouer.

Music: “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough. For more information: City of Rossford: www.rossfordohio.com Rossford Public Library: 720 Dixie Hwy. 419.666.0924. www.rossfordlibrary.org

25 Mud Pike (US RT 20) [3:18]Narrated by Ann Householder. Music: “Swallow Tail Jig” performed by Carrie Stuckert.

How long would it take you today to travel this once muddy mess known as “the worst stretch of road in the county?”

26Stony Ridge: The Empire House [1:19]Narrated by Paul Herringshaw. Music: “Forked Deer” performed by The Diamonds in the Rough.

For more information: www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/oh/Wood/state.html

27Devil’s Hole [0:28]Narrated by Ann Householder. Music arranged by Stephen Merrill.

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.

28Zimmerman School [2:42]Narrated by Thomas Bamburowski. Music: “Pig Ankle Rag” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

One-room schools once dotted the landscape, but today, this 1892 school is a unique learning tool.

For more information: Wood County Park District: 419.353.1897. www.woodcountyparkdistrict.org

29Hull’s Trace (Route 25) [0:26]Narrated by Delbert Brown.

Music: “Cleveland Marching to the Whitehouse” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

30Wood County Courthouse [3:53]Narrated by Michael Sibbersen. Music: “Claudia’s Tune” performed by Root Cellar String Band.

For more information: www.co.wood.oh.us/auditor/history/histoc.htm

31Bowling Green Historic District [4:47]Narrated by Kellie Greer. Music: “The Paring Glass” and “Boneparte” performed by Carrie Stuckert.

For more information: Main Street Bowling Green: 121 E. Wooster St. 419.354.4332. www.downtownbgohio.org BG Chamber of Commerce: 163 N. Main St. 419.353.7945. www.bgchamber.net BG Convention & Visitors Bureau: 119 E. Court St. 419.353.9445. www.visitbgohio.org

32Wood County Historical Center & Museum [3:34]Narrated by Christie Raber.

Music: “Winderslide” composed by Joe LaRose, performed by Root Cellar String Band. The former County Infirmary comes to life through educational programs,

events, & exhibits. For more information: Wood Co. Historical Center & Museum: 13660 County Home Rd.

419.352.0967. www.woodcountyhistory.org

DRIVING TOURW o o d C o u n t y

FROM THE SWAMP TO THE OPEN ROAD

CD AUDIO GUIDE

A guide to Wood County’s historical destinations ...and a more interesting way to get there.

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