Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Springfield (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Westcott House, Clark County Heritage Center, and St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Also, be sure to include Pennsylvania House in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Springfield (Ohio).
Table of Contents
Westcott House
Historical landmark in Springfield, Ohio. The Westcott House is a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie Style house in Springfield, Ohio. The house was built in 1908 for Mr. Burton J. Westcott, his wife Orpha, and their family. The Westcott property is the only Prairie style house designed by Wright in the state of Ohio. The grounds include the main house and a garage with stables connected by an extensive pergola.[1]
Address: 85 S Greenmount Ave, 45505-1150 Springfield
Clark County Heritage Center
Museum in Springfield, Ohio. The Clark County Heritage Center is a Romanesque architecture-style building in central Springfield, Ohio, United States. Originally built for the city's offices in 1890, it is now the location of the Clark County Historical Society, which includes a museum, research library and archives. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]
Address: 117 S Fountain Ave, 45502-1267 Springfield
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
Catholic church in Springfield, Ohio. St. Raphael's Church is a historic Catholic church in the city of Springfield, Ohio, United States. Established in the 1840s as Springfield's first Catholic parish, it uses a Gothic Revival church building, the towers of which hold a prominent spot in the city's skyline. As a work of a leading city architect, the building has been named a historic site.[3]
Address: 225 E High St, 45505-1052 Springfield
Pennsylvania House
Inn in Springfield, Ohio. The Pennsylvania House is a historic inn and tavern in western Springfield, Ohio, United States. Built circa 1822, this three-story brick Federal structure lies along the original National Road and near the old road that connects Springfield with Dayton, Ohio.
In the early years of the nineteenth century, the National and Dayton-Springfield Roads were major transportation arteries for those bound for the West and for Cincinnati respectively. Inns such as the Pennsylvania House were instrumental in facilitating travel for the many would-be settlers and merchants headed for the western frontier and for all sorts of travellers proceeding southwest. Before the coming of the railroads, the Pennsylvania House provided beds and food for commoners and famous individuals alike. According to local lore, among the inn's guests were such individuals as Henry Clay, Charles Dickens, Andrew Jackson, and James K. Polk. The inn's owners typically lived on the premises; among the various owners were the family of Isaac Kaufmann Funk, founder of Funk and Wagnalls.
After more than twenty years of prosperity, the inn's traffic shrank after railroads reached Springfield in 1846. By the end of the Civil War, travellers on the National Road were so rare that the Pennsylvania House saw very little traffic indeed, and it closed in 1869. Despite its closure, the building has remained in fine condition for well over one hundred years; architectural elements such as the double-hung windows and the ornate six-panel doors have survived with little damage. In recognition of the inn's place in American history and of its well-preserved historic architecture, the Pennsylvania House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Today, the Pennsylvania House is operated as a history museum with a concentration on the National Road.[4]
Address: 1311 W Main St, 45504-2815 Springfield
Madonna of the Trail
Historical landmark in Upland, California. Madonna of the Trail is a series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the United States. The monuments were commissioned by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. They were installed in each of the 12 states along the National Old Trails Road, which extended from Cumberland, Maryland, to Upland, California.
Created by sculptor August Leimbach and funded by contributions, the Madonna of the Trail monuments were intended to provide a symbol of the courage and faith of the women whose strength and love aided so greatly in conquering the wilderness and establishing permanent homes. Dedicated in 1928 and 1929, the twelve statues became sources of local pride. Through the continuing efforts of local and national groups, all are currently in good condition and on display.[5]
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Catholic church in Springfield, Ohio. St. Joseph's Church is a historic Catholic church in the city of Springfield, Ohio, United States. Established in the 1880s to serve southeastern Springfield's growing Catholic population, it uses a tall Romanesque Revival church building, which was designed by a leading city architect; the building has been named a historic site.[6]
Address: 819 Kenton St, 45505-2125 Springfield
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lutheran church in Springfield, Ohio. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historic Lutheran church in downtown Springfield, Ohio, United States. Founded as a German-speaking parish in Springfield's early days, it grew rapidly during its first few decades, and its present large church building was constructed in the 1890s under the direction of one of Springfield's leading architects. The congregation remains in the landmark church building, which has been named a historic site.[7]
Address: 27 N Wittenberg Ave, 45502-1196 Springfield
George Rogers Clark Park
Park, Relax in park
Address: 936 S Tecumseh Rd, 45506-4238 Springfield
Clark County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Clark County Courthouse is located at the northwest corner of North Limestone and East Columbia Streets in Springfield, Ohio. The courthouse standing is the third for the county and is built over the foundations of the second.[8]
Hartman Rock Garden
Museum, Sculpture
Address: 1905 Russell Ave, 45506-2950 Springfield
Shawnee Hotel
Building in Springfield. The Shawnee Hotel, now called Shawnee Place, is a historic building in Springfield, Ohio. It is located on Main and Limestone Streets and at eight stories was the tallest building in Springfield when it was built in 1916–1917. It included such innovations as in-room plumbing, meeting rooms, and banquet facilities.
The hotel was in operation through the 1960s when converted to a residential hotel. It later was vacant until 1985, when it was converted to senior housing. The building was renovated again in 2009, and in 2012 became senior living apartments managed by Episcopal Retirement Homes.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 5, 1985.[9]