Travel Back To The Ancient World By Visiting Ohio's Very Own Stone Temple
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 30, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Ohio is an unusual and incredible state full of spectacular gems. In fact, there’s much to discover right in our own backyard. From Cleveland to Cincinnati, Ohio’s 44,825 square miles of landscape hide history… and just a dose of magic, of course. One of the most amazing roadside attractions in Ohio is The Temple Of Tolerance, a Wapakoneta landmark that visitors from all over the world are obsessed with. Take a tour through local history and your own imagination at this incredible site:
Pictured here is Ġgantija, a Neolithic temple complex hiding in the Mediterranean.
The temple was founded circa 3600 BCE and built of limestone. Despite its age, this impressive temple complex is fairly well-preserved and has attracted local and international interest.
And pictured here is the Temple of Tolerance, a much more modern temple complex right here in Ohio.
This unusual structure is one of the newer additions to this bizarre public space. The tube at the center of this photo is 8 feet tall, and it's filled with over 70,000 bullet casings; one for every Ohioan killed in war.
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...And surprising antiques are scattered in the most unsuspecting places.
You'll come face-to-face with a counter that infamous outlaw John Dillinger pounced over during a bank heist, and you'll also spot a giant barrel with bullet holes purportedly created during Prohibition.
The entire complex spans the center of the block, and its collection is growing day by day.
This park is located behind a home at 203 South Wood Street, and visitors are encouraged to just walk up and start exploring. The only rule is to respect the grounds as all visitors before have.
Many of the boulders here were already deposited on the land, a remnant of the last ice age. Other oddities hail from all over the community... and the world.
The temple is open to the public daily and is totally free of charge.
Each item in the yard has a history, and the history is one that the artist is intimately familiar with. Foundation blocks, local sandstone, and all sorts of intriguing elements await the opportunity to greet visitors.
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And, amazingly, this unique spot is right on a residential street... in the artist's own backyard!
The house is totally unsuspecting, aside from the mishmash of collectibles in its front yard. One would never guess that an incredible tourist attraction lies in its wide, open backyard.
There's so much to discover at this odd Ohio temple.
If you're lucky, you might even encounter the artist himself. To take a virtual visit, check out this drone footage by Scott Bruno:
There’s so much to love about Ohio’s Temple of Tolerance. Have you ever visited this odd roadside attraction? Share your thoughts (and photos) in the comments!
