Bellefontaine a gem destination amid rolling hills of Logan County
Steve Stephens a windstorm in 2012, but has been completely restored. (The interior, alas, retains little of its original ornamentation.)
The county’s illustrious past is on display at the Logan County History Center. Part of the center is housed in the beautiful Orr Mansion, built in the earliest years of the 20th century in Neoclassical style for a local lumber baron. The house has been nicely restored and contains exhibits detailing the lifestyle of an uppermiddle-class family of the era.
Elsewhere in the expansive museum are rooms or exhibits dedicated to early Native American tribes, military veterans, bygone local businesses and attractions such as Indian Lake Amusement Park, and a large exhibit dedicated to the Mills Brothers, an African American family and popular singing group of the mid-20th century who called Bellefontaine home.
A new addition, which resembles a historic railroad “roundhouse,” houses the Logan County Transportation Museum. Exhibits explore the county’s deep railroad history as well as displays of historic automobiles and airplanes. There also is an exhibit dedicated to the region’s ties with American Honda Motor Co.
Downtown Bellefontaine also has several good places for food or a beverage, including longtime local favorite Don’s Downtown Diner, which makes legendary hamburgers. And the popular Brewfontaine craft beer bar has been chosen the best beer bar in Ohio for three consecutive years by voters at the website Craftbeer.com.
For more information about Bellefontaine and Logan County, call the Logan County Visitors Bureau at 937599-5121 or visit www. Logancountyohio. com.
sstephens@ Dispatch.com @Stevestephens