Logan County is located in an area referred to as “Ohio’s Historic West” — and not just because the first concrete street in America appeared there in 1891. The county features Ohio’s highest point (Campbell Hill, 1,549 feet above sea level), amazing underground spelunking, the remarkable 19th-century Piatt Castles and a bevy of other scenic and cultural attractions that make for an adventure-filled weekend.
The Ohio Caverns Tour in West Liberty examines the largest of all the cave systems in Ohio. The caverns are filled from floor to ceiling with stalagmites, stalactites and other formations. Formerly an aquifer, the caves feature crystal and limestone formations thought to be more than 200,000 years old. The formations are preserved in a stable, 54-degree, humid environment, regardless of the season.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Piatt Castles, also in West Liberty, were built by brothers Abram and Donn Piatt after the Civil War. These stone structures feature complex woodworking, frescoed ceilings and other vintage adornments. Named Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, the castles now serve as museums, housing nearly 200 years of Ohio history (including Native American culture, the Underground Railroad and more) in a striking, Gothic Revival setting.
Exploration beyond Logan County’s caverns and castles should include Marmon Valley Farm, Mad River Mountain Lodge, Orr Mansion, the restored Holland Theatre and Indian Lake State Park — which features fishing, waterskiing, boating and camping. Complete your trip with the legendary chocolate-covered cherries at Marie’s Candies. The West Liberty institution has been in business for more than 50 years and offers lots of delectable treats for your ride home.