Community Spotlight: Take a stroll in historic Coshocton and Roscoe Village
Summer doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday (June 21), but summer activities, in colors galore, are well underway in East Central Ohio’s community gem: Coshocton.
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The season unofficially began June 9-11 at the 41st annual Coshocton County Hot-Air Balloon Festival at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds on Kenillworth Avenue. Committee member Patty Cramer estimated several thousand people watched as 19 balloons from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois dotted the sky.
Location
Coshocton, which covers 8.2 square miles, includes Roscoe Village, which was annexed to the city in 1957. Coshocton is bordered on the northwest by Clark Township and Blissfield Village, on the west by Lafayette Village, on the north by the village of Bakersville and on the south by the villages of Plainfield and Conesville. Coshocton can be reached from Interstate 77 via U.S. 36. and state Routes 16, 83 and 541.
Mayor Mark Mills, in the third year of his first term, commented: “From the rolling hills to our three beautiful rivers [the Walhonding, Tuscarawas and Muskingum], to taking a stroll through our historic tree-lined downtown with unique shops and restaurants, to our historic Roscoe Village, a restored 1800s canal village, Coshocton has an abundant wealth of outdoor recreation, history and commerce that would make anyone that visits want to stay longer. Coshocton also offers a slower pace of living, that is safer and at a much lower cost than most areas in Ohio. And our location within an hour to the new Intel [Corp. semiconductor manufacturing] site in Licking County, and within 600 miles to 80% of the United States population, places our community in a magnificent spot for tourism and/or relocation.
“Our friendly residents make up what is truly best about our area: People still wave, neighbors still help neighbors and we come together in times of need. I urge you to log on to www.visitcoshocton.com to see all the opportunities that await you within our great community.”
History
Coshocton’s history goes back to the mid-1700s when Indian tribes pondered whether to side with the British or America. Fearing the Lenape (Delaware) Indians would choose the British, a fort was built next to the Indian village, which was destroyed in 1781 by American troops led by Andrew Brodhead.
Beginning in 1802, American settlers began to build their village, which was named Tuscarawa until 1811 when Coshocton was incorporated as a city and the town received its current name.
Highlights
• Historic Roscoe Village has long been a highlight as a restored 1830s canal town full of places to explore. The Ohio & Erie Canal town was laid out in 1816.
The village today is an ongoing effort to preserve and promote a prominent piece of Ohio history and heritage along the banks of the canal. It offers shopping, dining and festivals.
Canalboat rides are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day with a team of horses walking the towpath and pulling the boats.
• A major promoter of the area is Lanny Spaulding, director of the nonprofit organization Our Town Coshocton, which focuses on the downtown historic district. “We have preserved Canal Town, which is the center for tourism, and promoted historic and economic improvements,” Spaulding said.
• Still functioning today is the Coshocton County Court House, which was built in 1873. The Downtown Historic District and Roscoe Village are in the National Register of Historic Places as are some other locations within the area.
Coshocton has the 1,000th Andrew Carnegie Library, which was built in 1904 and is among 2,509 libraries Carnegie, a businessman and philanthropist, had built between 1883 and 1929. The “gift” to the city has been closed for over 50 years.
• The Johnson-Humrickhouse Memorial Museum at 300 Whitewoman St., opened in 1931 in the old Sycamore Schoolhouse. The museum is known for its extensive collection of American Indian basketry.
Fun calendar
For details and a calendar of events, go to each location’s website or Facebook:
June 25: The Mud Run at Lake Park on state Route 83 in Coshocton features a competitive 10K course with 72 obstacles and a 5K course that bypasses the more difficult 10K obstacles.
June 25: Downtown concert series begins at 6:30 p.m. at Court House Square on Main Street, featuring Double Vision, a Foreigner tribute band from New York City.
June 28 to July 3: All-A-Flutter Butterfly Enclosure Exhibit will be open at the 20-acre Clary Botanical Garden at 588 Chestnut St.
June 30: Three Rivers Wine Trail Ticketed Tour, featuring eight wineries and one brewery. The tour will begin and end at the Coshocton Village Inn & Suites.
July 2: The second annual Coshocton Community Car & Bike Show to benefit Blue Star Mothers from 3 to 7 p.m. at Coshocton Court Square.
July 9: The Canal Town Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hosted by the Roscoe Village Business Association.
July 16: Three Rivers Car Show hosted by the Three Rivers Fire Department will be staged on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic. Trucks, cars and motorcycles are expected to be on display.
July 22-24: Rock Coshocton Motor & Music Festival at the fairgrounds to feature music, vendors and motorcycles.
July 23: Nightrain, a Guns 'N Roses tribute bad, at 8 p.m. at the fairgrounds.
Aug. 6-9, 12-14 and 20-21: Coshocton Sunflower Festival at Coshocton KOA Holiday Campground at 24678 County Road 10.
Sept. 30-Aug. 6: The Coshocton County Fair, which began in 1851, will mark its 171st year.
Oct. 7 to 29: Coshocton KOA Holiday Campground annual corn and Halloween maze tradition the four Fridays and Saturdays in October.
Oct. 21-23: The 51st annual Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival will be staged at Roscoe Village.
Dec. 3 and 10: One of the most popular Roscoe Village events is the annual Christmas Candlelighting ceremonies, which will begin at 6 p.m. on the Main Stage followed by a Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour at 7 p.m. both nights.
Dining spots
• The Warehouse Restaurant and Warehouse N’ Stein in Roscoe Village specialize in steaks, seafood and chops as well as sandwiches, salads and smoked ribs. The building was constructed around 1838.
• Sorrell’s on the Square at 119 Third St. has a wide-ranging menu, including Lake Erie walleye.
• Yucatan Restaurant offers Mexican cuisine at 1167 Walnut St. with inside or outside seating and in-store pickup.
• Boathouse Tavern on Pine Street overlooks the Muskingum River and features a summertime menu.
• Roberta’s Diner at 124 Main St. in nearby Warsaw features prime rib and baby back ribs.
About Coshocton
Founded: 1811
Population: 36,612
City website: https://www.coshocton.com
School district: Coshocton City Schools
District website: https://www.coshoctoncityschools.com
Mascot: Redskins
School district: River View Local School District
District website: https://www.river-view.k12.oh.us
Mascot: Black Bears
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Coshocton, Roscoe Village offer stroll through history
