Few People Realize How Much Railroad History Is Preserved In The Small Town Of Dennison, Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 13, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Ohio history is on proud display all across the state. Whether you head to Amish Country to visit the oldest general store in the state, venture into the living history museum (town, really) of Roscoe Village, or learn about the state’s ties to aviation at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, history is alive and well in Ohio. With regards to transportation, the small town of Dennison, Ohio, is teeming with railroad history, offering visitors an immersive experience and opportunity to take a step — or ride! — back in time.
From the mid-1800s and well into the 1900s, railroad travel was all the rage in the U.S. These transit systems made travel and commerce from far-away places a possibility, with networks of rail lines springing up all across the country.
With a prime location halfway between Pittsburgh and Columbus, Dennison was destined to be a bustling hub for rail transportation and commerce in Ohio.
Today, Dennison celebrates Ohio's connection to the rails, offering a well-rounded experience for locomotive lovers that's unrivaled. For starters, there's the annual Dennison Railroad Festival that's been a Buckeye State favorite since 1980.
For Ohio train enthusiasts, the Dennison Railroad Depot is a little-known railroad that not only offers themed train rides, but also a massive rail museum and delicious on-site restaurant.
It's a delightful immersion in rail history -- and, more broadly, American history. In 2011, the Depot officially became a national landmark for its significance, among other things, in World War II. During WWII, more than 4,000 volunteers helped take care of over 1.3 million soldiers traveling through the area.
When you find yourself becoming hungry from all your locomotive lessons in Dennison, Ohio, you have options! In addition to the dining offered at the Depot's Over the Rail Diner, Dennison Yard is located in Dennison’s historic Center Street District and is a favorite destination known for serving some of the best Italian cuisine in Ohio.
Dennison Yard, 313 Center St, Dennison, OH 44621, USA
If you're looking to truly immerse yourself in the rail culture and history in Dennison, Ohio, level up with a night in this Pullman Airbnb. In an effort to really give guests the full railroad experience, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum recently revamped a historic Pullman Railroad Car into a uniquely themed railroad overnight experience.
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, 400 Center St, Dennison, OH 44621, USA
