TRAVEL ITINERARY #6

Land of the Cross Tipped Churches
Contact: (800) 860-4726 or (419) 925-7100

Website: www.grandlake.net/lctc/

Here’s What You’ll See:

In July of 1979, over sixty buildings representing the German Catholic settlements of southern Auglaize and Mercer Counties, as well as portions of northern Darke and Shelby Counties, were placed on a National Register of Historic Places. Consisting of churches, schools, rectories and convents, this grouping is symbolic of the culture and historic uniqueness of the region. Today, most of these structures remain to remind us of the hard work and dedication of these early settlers as they built the Miami-Erie Canal and forged a new life on the area’s rich and productive farmland. A drive along this Ohio Scenic Byway through the rural countryside follows the quaint churches with their cross tipped “spires to heaven” and includes stops at the focal points of the region: the former convent at Maria Stein, St. Augustine Church – the original Mother Church of the area at Minster and St. Charles center, the magnificent and impressive former seminary at Carthagena. 26 miles from Sidney.

Fort Recovery State Museum
Contact: (419) 375-4649
Admission charged.
June through August: 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. every day.
May and September: 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. weekends only.
Group tours by appointment at any time of year.

Website: www.fortrecoverymuseum.com

Here’s What You’ll See:

Two reconstructed blockhouses, a connecting stockade and many exhibits depicting the Indian wars of the 1790's are housed in the museum. The museum gallery also displays one of the largest collections of Indian artifacts in the state of Ohio.

Ft. Recovery is the site of two of the most dramatic Indian battles in American history. The first was the devastating defeat of General Arthur St. Clair in 1791 and the second, the successful defense of the fort by General “Mad” Anthony Wayne in 1794. An 1840 log cabin and blacksmith shop are nearby. 36 miles from Sidney.

National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics
Contact: (419) 925-4532
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays and Holidays.

Website: www.mariasteincenter.org

Here’s What You’ll See:

The shrine contains approximately 500 relics of the saints and is the second largest collection of its type in the United States. Built in 1890, the shrine and the adjacent former convent were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
24 miles from Sidney.