Few People Realize How Much Electrifying History Is Preserved In The Small Town Of Milan, Ohio
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Nikki Rhoades
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Just an hour outside of Cleveland is a small town with a shocking past. It’s a bit electrifying, if you will. Yes, these descriptors are indeed puns, as we’re talking about Milan, Ohio, the birthplace of Thomas Edison, an inventor known for his work in the electric power generation field. It’s also home to the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum, which operates a museum about Edison’s life and legacy. At just 57 miles from Cleveland, a visit to the small town of Milan makes for a quick and fascinating day trip. Gas up the car and some snacks — you’re on your way to one of the coolest small towns in Ohio.
This darling village is part of the Sandusky Metropolitan Area, and it's beautiful. Originally plotted out in 1817, this town now boasts a beautiful Victorian town center and many historic elements.
The Milan Canal once fueled business and population growth in the area, but now it's a sleepy suburb in the northern dip of Ohio's heart-shaped border. The town is perhaps best known for its stunning array of Greek Revival architecture, which was popular before the Civil War.
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12304 Mudbrook Rd, Milan, OH 44846, USA
Places of massive beauty hide in the most unsuspecting places. Pictured here is the Culinary Vegetable Institute, a world-class educational and research facility that you can visit during special events. The ambiance here is divine, and the food crafted here is equally as wondrous. Plus, it has an on-site suite you can stay in!
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Various politicians and a college president once called this town home, but it's Thomas Alva Edison that locals have immortalized. Born in 1847, Edison came into the world as Milan was entering its canal era.
Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum, 9 N Edison Dr, Milan, OH 44846, USA
The last of seven children, Edison would spend seven years of his childhood in this home before moving to Port Huron, Michigan. The home was designed by Thomas Edison's father, Samuel.
Since 1947, visitors have been dazzled by the collections here. While the Edisons lost much of their original furniture in a fire at their Michigan home, the ambiance has been lovingly tweaked to get it as close as possible to its original appearance. Combined with mementos from the inventor's life, it makes for a fascinating visit.
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You'll love learning about the phonograph, incandescent light bulb, and other ingenious designs crafted by Edison himself. While he came from modest beginnings, this environment inevitably bore the age of invention.
For one, it's fascinating to walk through historic buildings in the city and wonder which were once visited by the Edison family. This was their home from 1840 to 1854, so the family enjoyed more than a decade in this charming small town.
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Milan Cemetery, 110 S Edison Dr, Milan, OH 44846, USA
This photo was snapped before Milan Cemetery, which inevitably holds a lot of the town's history. Beautiful mausoleums and headstones hint at the artistry of yesteryear, and familiar family names line the rows of resting places. There are even some Edisons buried here, though Thomas Edison's parents actually migrated to the area from New York and Nova Scotia, so they're likely not close relatives if they are related at all.
Edison Park, 6 East St, Milan, OH 44846, USA
This small local park is truly charming. With shelters and playgrounds, it's an excellent place to enjoy a picnic lunch while the kids get some energy out before the drive back home.
The Coupling MetroPark, 11618 OH-13, Milan, OH 44846, USA
At 26 acres, this park is pretty easy for most hikers to conquer. Look for blooming Virginia Bluebells in the spring, and pose with the two on-site train cars all year round.
Just an hour away from home, it’s well worth taking a trip out to Milan, Ohio: the birthplace of Thomas Edison! Did you know this famous inventor lived in Ohio until he was seven? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Edison wasn’t the only inventor in Ohio. Learn about famous Cleveland inventors and their contributions to the world to keep the learning train going!
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Milan, OH, USA