There Are More Than 70 Stops Along The Ohio Literary Trail For Avid Readers To Explore
By April Dray|Published August 13, 2020
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April Dray
Author
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.
Contrary to what you might think, several Ohioans have profoundly shaped culture and literature—of both America and the world— throughout the years. To learn more about the historic role Ohioans have played in literature and society as a whole, take the brand new Ohio Literary Trail, presented by the Ohioana Library Association. It’s a fascinating deep dive into the literary landscape of the Buckeye State, featuring several historical markers, notable libraries, historic homes and other literary destinations. This one-of-a-kind trail is the perfect way to learn something new about Ohio and enjoy a uniquely themed road trip.
Conveniently organized by the state’s five geographic regions, The Ohio Literary Trail is a self-guided tour that's easy to explore.
You can take your time and visit every stop or explore different regions at different times. To view a downloadable PDF of the trail in a separate tab or window, click here.
In the northwest region of Ohio, you'll encounter the Clyde Historical Museum, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library's Nancy Drew Exhibit, Brumback Library (pictured) and so much more.
Fun fact: In addition to its castle-like appearance, The Brumback Library is also special because it was the first County Library formed in the United States. To read more about this particular library, check out our previous article here.
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You'll also walk the stunning grounds of Malabar Farm, built in the late 1930s by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, in the northeast Ohio portion of the trail.
Other notable sites along this portion of the trail include Haines House, Oak Hill Cottage, the Ohio Center for the Book at the Cleveland Public Library and more.
Pictured is the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library in central Ohio. For a detailed list of stops along the trail with exact locations, visit the Ohioana Library's website.
Although there might be some stops and markers you choose to skip along the way, the historic homes shouldn't be missed.
Visit the treasured Harriet Beecher Stowe House (pictured) in southwest Ohio and learn something new about the author Abraham Lincoln famously deemed "the little woman that started this great war!"
Other notable stops in southwest Ohio include the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and State Memorial, the McGuffey Museum, The Rankin House and more.
Pictured is the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
You can even stop for a picturesque hike in the southeast Ohio portion of the trail. Take the 6-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail, named after a beloved Hocking Hills trailblazer.
This famous trail, which is part of the statewide Buckeye Trail, passes through enchanting sites that feel like something straight out of storybook such as Cedar Falls and Old Man's Cave.
