How many of you enjoy exploring small towns? The off-the beaten path places that the highways don't take you? Frankfort, Ohio is a small town of about 1000 people between Columbus and Chillicothe, Ohio. The village has a surprising rich history, it was home to an early Hopewell culture and later a stagecoach stop between Columbus and Chillicothe. It is also the birthplace of famed sculptor Beulah Woodard .
❓Where Are the Mennonites?
About 120 Old Order Mennonites (approximately 20 families) live in the rural countryside outside of town. The Old Order Mennonites here travel by horse and buggy, so their range is limited. But Frankfort provides most of what the Mennonites need to thrive: bank, post office, hardware store, and some groceries. I love small towns, maybe not living in one, but at least passing through them. They often have a greasy diner that serves breakfast all-day, a dairy bar,and a lot of charm.
📷 Photos of Frankfort, Ohio
📋 Things To Do Around Frankfort, Ohio
Besides exploring the surrounding Mennonite communities other things to do in Frankfort, include:
The Sunflower Festival: a classic small-town festival held the last weekend of July, featuring food, music, and family fun! Oh, and sunflowers, lots of sunflowers!
Tri-County Triangle Trail: Explore this trail that runs through Frankfort. There is parking for it at Brad Lightle Memorial Park. The Paint Creek Recreational Trail (map) is a scenic 32-mile trail from Chillicothe to Washington Court House passes through the Historic Village of Frankfort, the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park/World Heritage Site, Pleasant Valley and Chillicothe. The trail is maintained by the City of Chillicothe, the Ross County Park District, City of Washington Court House and Tri-County Triangle Trail.
Hopewell National Historic Park: Learn about these incredible earthworks constructed centuries ago and showcased in this nearby UNESCO site.
🛒 Frankfort, Ohio IGA
If you are searching for the IGA in Frankfort, you'll be disappointed. It's now a gas station-convenience store called Frankfort Market located at 617 Frankfort Clarksburg Pike, Frankfort, OH 45628.
I have a soft spot for IGA grocery stores: the scrappy independent supermarkets that still hold sway in small-towns. You know, the kind with actual helpful workers and butchers that cut the meat themselves. IGA is in 46 of the 50 states (sheesh, which states DON'T have them?) and apparently over 30 countries. So does this mean if you are in Australia, Russia, or Brazil that you can see the comforting, familiar, IGA logo on a store? Wow, that is interesting. You can read more about IGA on their website if you are really bored.
Our town used to have at least three IGA's, but they are long gone and the local grocery landscape is lesser for it. I hope IGA is faring better in other countries, because it sure doesn't seem to be doing well here. I guess IGA is also in Canada. Now I have been to Canada quite a bit and I've never seen an IGA. If you live in Canada and know where one is: let me know. In the United States it seems like there has to be a "sweet spot" for an IGA to thrive and that sweet spot is being in a town that is too small to draw in a Wal-Mart or a Kroger, but still large enough to support a full-service grocery. Towns in the population 1500 - 5000 range.
For some reason I always get excited (okay, that may be too strong of a word) when I see an IGA while traveling the rural roads. 25 years ago my part of Ohio probably had 20 IGA grocery stores, not just in rural areas, but tucked away in bustling neighborhoods of Cincinnati. Now when I go to their store locator, there are probably 3. (there is a format called IGA Express, which is a convenience store and that doesn't count in my book)
So, anyway, I was saddened to see the IGA pictured above shuttered and out of business in Frankfort, Ohio. If such a small town can't support an IGA, you wonder where they can survive. A local Mennonite bulk food store has "really stepped up" since they closed, a local resident told me. Otherwise, people have to drive 13 miles away to larger Chillicothe for groceries.
So, is IGA still holding court where you live? Or are they dying out in your part of the country also?
Linda from KY
I haven't been to any of the little towns on your list, but I have been to Rabbit Hash, KY. You've heard of it, right? It's a micro-village in Boone County, and they elect a dog as their mayor. It's considerably off the beaten path and sitting right alongside the Ohio River. You can see one of SE Indiana's casinos on the other side of the river. It has nothing to do with Plain culture, though.
Kevin
Heard about Rabbit Hash my whole life, but never been...have to go sometime, my parents just visited there last year for the first time
Aimee
Have heard of Watseka, IL, but don't think I've ever been there. Used to pick up a radio station from there while traveling to and from Terre Haute IN and Chicago.
Kevin
Made that drive numerous times, US 41....peaceful, not as crowded as the main highway, but still good road....
Dorothy Tillis
I live in Washington Court House, Ohio, and before Route 35 was rebuilt, a person would have to drive through Frankfort to go to Chillicothe. Your pictures brings back memories, and I enjoy reading your articles.
Kevin
Dorothy - thanks for checking in and for the kind words. Hard to imagine that area without US 35, makes for a nice straight shot from Dayton to Athens, that is for sure! - Kevin
Roger Brisson
I am from Alexandria, Ontario. I am familiar with the town of Aylmer, Ontario. We are Holdeman Mennonites.
Kevin
Thanks, Roger, for checking in...I've been near Alexandria, but not there, will have to check out your area sometime!
Brenda
Geneva, IN is about 13 miles from where I live in Pennville. The Gene Straton Porter home is a must-see if you visit. My grandchildren love to go to the Limberlost wetlands outside of town and draw pictures of the different things they see there.
Kevin
Brenda, that sounds quite idyllic. I know right where you are, have been there many times. If I ever publish my next book entitled "Not So Simple" I have a whole chapter written about the Limberlost area....one of these days I might finish the book!
Jeannie
I have been in Hana, Maui. It is a beautiful little town. It is quite eclectic. The scenery is beautiful on the way to Hana. So many waterfalls and ocean views. One of my favorite memories was seeing cows and horses corralled by wire fencing on one side and the ocean on he other. Just beautiful.
Kevin
Jeannie, it was gorgeous....the Hana Highway was a bit of a white-knuckle experience, we ended up continuing past Hana and just driving around the island, that remote area past Hana is also just amazingly gorgeous!
Roxanne Jenkins
I have been too Eatonville, Washington several times over the years, it's the home of Northwest Trek, a wildlife park awesome awesome place, a family must if you ever get that way. I live in Eastern Oergon, a small town. Thank you Kevin wonderful newsletter have a great day!
Kevin
Thank you, Roxanne, for visiting Amish365 from eastern Oregon! I forgot about Northwest Trek, we have driven by the entrance a couple of times but on each occasion didn't have enough time, but it looked intriguing, we'll have to make time next time (whenever that is!)
Tim Robertson
As you would expect I've been to Gratis many times. I'm not familiar with any of the rest although I would love to visit all of the 9.
Kevin
Good and bad memories in Gratis....but, yea, I've been there plenty of times too. When you live in Middletown and want to go anywhere west you kind of have to go through Gratis.