The Small Town In Ohio You’ve Never Heard Of But Will Fall In Love With

Ohio is full of little-known, historic villages that are unbelievably charming.

The small town of Zoar, Ohio is a historic German village most people in the state (surprisingly) don’t know about. Beautifully preserved and full of fun places to explore, you’ll fall in love with this little-known town. Take a look:

This tiny town was founded in 1817 "by a group of 200 German Separatists seeking escape from religious persecution in their homeland," according to the village's website.

The town is currently celebrating 200 years of history, heritage and culture with its Zoar Village Bicentennial this year, so it's an exciting time to visit this quaint village.

Today, approximately 177 people call this lovely town home. Gorgeous landscaping surrounds much of the historic homes, making it a delightful town to live in.

During your visit, you'll want to stop at the Zoar Store, which is a museum building owned by the Ohio History Connection and managed and operated by the Zoar Community Association.

You'll also want to take a stroll around town and take in all the old homes, beautiful architecture and living history. Pictured below is the Bimeler Cabin.

With so much history and preservation, it's not uncommon to see a historic reenactment or other special events happening in Zoar.

You may even get to take a guided carriage or wagon ride around town, if you're lucky.

While you're here, you'll definitely want to check out the beloved Zoar Hotel, which dates back to 1833. Free tours of the hotel are given on select dates.

During your visit, you can stay at the Zoar School Inn Bed and Breakfast, where history, charm and an exceptional breakfast await you.

As an added historical bonus (and in honor of Zoar Village’s Bicentennial celebration), you can visit the Zoar Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit, which opened at the German-American Heritage Museum in Washington D.C in March.

Have you ever been to this beautiful small town before? (For more information about the village of Zoar and upcoming events, click here.) What’s your favorite small town in Ohio? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!

And for more beautiful small towns in Ohio, check out our previous article: The 12 Towns You Need To Visit In Ohio In 2017.

April Dray

April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.

The Small Town In Ohio You’ve Never Heard Of But Will Fall In Love With

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