Tag Archives: Antique

A Step Inside The Guernsey County Courthouse

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It’s a common problem for a weekend adventurer. You find yourself standing outside a really cool public building and you’re dying to see inside but the doors are locked. It’s the weekend, after all. County courthouses are buildings I ALWAYS want to see inside and rarely have the opportunity. 

For example, I have stood outside the Guernsey County, Ohio Courthouse more times than I can count and, until a few months ago, never had a chance to see inside. But I did get to peek inside on my way home from Pittsburgh one gloomy December Monday. 

I have actually spent a lot of time studying the facade of this building after dark and during the holidays. You see, this courthouse presides over Cambridge, a town that transforms itself during the holidays by adding life sized Dickens style characters in vignettes along the streets. They also are known for a nightly music and light show on the front of the courthouse every night during the holidays. It is a festive and exciting way to embrace the Christmas season. 

Like other Ohio courthouses, there is one public entrance that’s monitored by a county sheriff’s deputy. Of course, it was the last entrance that I tried but that allowed me the opportunity to walk around the whole building. When the deputy asked me to state my business and I told him I was there because I like old buildings, he waved me through without a word.

Since it was December, the inside was decorated for Christmas. Since I was there at lunchtime, there were people cleaning but no office employees or members of the public to be seen. In other words, I had the place to myself and that was lovely. 

The woodwork, hand painted transoms, floor tile, and bones of the building feel mainly untouched since the building was dedicated in 1883. The rich red, grey, black and tan tilework is the star of the show but there are some lovely small things that many people likely take for granted including some gorgeous details on the door knobs.

I was dying to see inside the courtroom but it was locked for lunch and I had to settle for a peek through the door window. 

It’s interesting because the building has clearly been kept and cared for but you can also see signs where someone, likely some county commissioners, have done what they could with what they had by placing a counter here or a sign there that look too modern. They stick out like a sore thumb. This isn’t a criticism so much as a notation that this is the way the world works especially when budgets take precedence over doing something well.  We may preserve the old and care for it but the way we live with a historic building isn’t necessarily cohesive with the building itself. 

But time marches on, money matters, and this just means that Guernsey County is like everyone else. I’m sure they’re doing their best. 

If you ask me, Guernsey County has one of the most impressive and most beautiful courthouse exteriors in Ohio. The building is made of sandstone. It’s large and imposing as it presides over downtown and the National Road. A statue of Lady Justice keeps watch from above the former main entrance and a clock tower keeps the rhythm of passing time for usa lll. If you’re driving through and get a chance to stop and appreciate the exterior, you should absolutely do that. If you can get inside someday, do that too.

And here’s one more lesson for us all. If given the choice between admiring from the street or parking the car and going in for a closer look, always take the closer look. Lady Justice is more impressive when you are standing close to the building. All that outstanding tilework inside isn’t visible from the street but it’s a work of art deserving of someone to stop and study it. 

Want to see more pictures? Hop over to the Make The Journey Fun Facebook page. I’ll post more there!

Lebanon Mason And Monroe Railroad

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My dad and I set out for a day of adventure in Lebanon, Ohio yesterday. When I was searching for a Father’s Day gift for the man who has everything, I decided it would be best to give him an experience rather than more stuff. So I gave him three options and, of them, he chose a ride on the Lebanon Mason and Monroe Railroad.

This non-profit scenic railway gives visitors a peek into what travel was like in yesteryear. We rode in a deluxe car called Mingo County that a railway volunteer said dates to the late forties or fifties.

Concessions are located in an old Army Medical car and, yes, there’s a caboose too.

The ride last for about 75 minutes – long enough to travel a few miles out of town, stop and travel back in reverse. The gentle swaying of the car as it click-clacked down the tracks was incredibly relaxing. It was almost like being rocked to sleep.

The volunteers and staff on the train are super nice and even the passengers in our car were extremely cordial. The group even joined in singing Happy Birthday to five year old twins who were visiting with their grandparents. Decked out in bibbed overalls and engineer’s caps, the little red haired boy and girl seemed excited to be there.

While it is called a scenic railway, I think it would be better enjoyed in fall than this time of year. You travel past the backs of some less than scenic buildings and some fields of crops but most of what you see is brushy. There’s a lot of green brush everywhere you look here in southern Ohio so that’s not exciting. However, I imagine the trip is beautiful in October. You do catch a glimpse or two of a stream that’s pretty.

All the same, Dad seemed to enjoy it and I certainly did. This was his first train trip so I was excited to give him that. He joked that he has now traveled by plane, train and automobile!

The thing I liked best is that it was like stepping back in time. Aside from the fashion choices of fellow passengers, it’s hard to discern the year just from looking around the rail car. It encouraged me to consider what travel would have been like back in the day when rail was the quickest and cheapest means of transport and how exhausting those trips must have been.

If you have a chance, go for a ride someday and experience it for yourself. Click here to find just the right ride for you!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles!

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Everyone recognizes Henry Ford as an industrialist and pioneer in mass production who changed the way Americans travel.

In case you don’t know, his philosophies about production efficiencies extended to many areas of his business and are still used today. He also understood that a happy employee is a more productive employee and one less likely to leave. So Ford introduced the unheard of $5 a day wage, providing his employees a comfortable living and making it possible for them to afford to buy the cars they were building. It was a smart move because reducing turnover, cuts costs and improves efficiency.

What many people don’t know is this that Ford also was fascinated by science, technology and Americana. So in the twenties, he began collecting things for what would eventually become the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

He plucked up important structures and items with historic value from around the country and began bringing them to Dearborn, Michigan.

This place has grown and is modernized for the 21st century visitor but remains true to Henry Ford’s vision.

I had been before but was feeling a real draw to go back for some reason. I spent most of a full day wandering around the museum, taking pictures, reading signs and admiring the collection so vast that it’s hard to see everything with one pass.

Anyone who knows me well won’t be surprised that I spent the vast majority of my day lingering over the cars and planes. If it has an open cockpit or tail fins, I’m probably going to be a fan.

Here are a few pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

Any vehicle with interesting lines and a cool color is A-ok in my book!

Did you know that Ford made an airplane? They also have one at the Model T Museum in Richmond, Indiana.

It’s a train snow plow! How cool is this?

This little car was made by Crosley, the same people who gave us the Crosley Radio. We’ll talk a little more about them another day. And yes, it’s as tiny as it looks!

Combining my excitement for aviation and interest in reporting!

Check back. I have a couple of specific stories to tell you and we’ll go to some other areas of the museum!

Logan Brick

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No words needed, really. It’s a locally made brick from an old chimney on the homestead that is now Butterfly Ridge. Did you miss the story about this place? Click here!

 

Doors of Marietta

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One of the best things about being on foot is that you notice things you would miss from a car. I love to park my car and just wander around a town – even one that I know well – looking for things that interest me.

I visit Marietta several times a year, usually to antique or to see a show, but walking around with my camera is fun sometimes too. I’m sort of obsessed with doors so it comes as no surprise that I produced a substantial amount of door pictures this last trip.

Here are a few.

Is there something you always seek out? Sometimes I feel like a broken record, looking at all my door pictures, but I really don’t care. A good door makes me happy.

Lynn’s Soda Fountain: A National Road Landmark

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On Friday I promised to take you on an adventure to an old fashioned soda fountain. This nasty winter weekend seems like a good time to enjoy more pleasant memories!

When I set out on my post Christmas National Road Adventure, I had few plans but was conscious of some places along the way that sounded interesting. One of those was Lynn’s Pharmacy, a family owned pharmacy in historic downtown Brazil. Lynn’s has a bonafide soda fountain with a counter where you can order a sandwich and chocolate malt.

It’s a landmark along the National Road for good reason. The owners have operated a pharmacy in this historic building since 1970 but worked hard to add this authentic soda fountain about 23 years ago. When you step inside you wouldn’t know that it hasn’t always been there.

I learned a lot during my brief visit, chatting with a family member who was working that day. In fact, we had a delightful conversation where she asked about my trip and I asked about the business. We swapped stories like old friends as she prepared my caramel sundae.

They offer shakes, malts, sundaes and, of course, old fashioned sodas. They also prepare some simple sandwiches if you’re looking to grab a quick bite like a Coney Dog or BLT. The counter is made of oak and stainless steel and measures twelve feet long. You can sit at the counter like I did or at one of the many wood and metal cafe style tables.

I went for the atmosphere but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the ice cream and the company.

A mosaic black and white tile floor anchors the room while a high ceiling of tin tiles and large store front windows make the space feel light and airy. Antique fixtures along the walls are filled with antique pharmacy items and souvenirs from the community.

The pharmacy is also quite nice and seems to sell everything you might need. They even have some gift items and a home medical care division. Lynn’s is promoted as a modern pharmacy with old fashioned values in personal service.

That summed up my experience.

I loved it here and will absolutely stop in again my next trip through. The woman I met that day was the daughter-in-law of the owner who installed the soda fountain. She said they have continued to invest in the business and the community and she spoke about the town with fierce pride and enthusiasm. It made me want to send them my prescription business but it’s a little too far to go for my meds!

In a community with a big box store, a chain grocery pharmacy, and two national chain pharmacies, it’s nice to see a mom and pop continuing to thrive. I’m guessing their success is a testament to their service and personal investment in the town of Brazil.

Brazil, Indiana is west of Indianapolis and has a cute downtown with murals and a few shops. If you go by National Road, less than an hour east of Brazil you’ll find yourself in the town of Plainfield which is home to the fabulous Oasis Diner and Gilley’s Antique and Decorator Mall which I love.

Click here to learn more about Lynn’s.