American Gam
Lancaster, OhioA great American road trip
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“I am defeated, and know it, if I meet any human being from whom I find myself unable to learn anything.” ~ George Herbert Palmer
Friday my goal was to reach Dayton, Ohio and tour the United States Air Force Museum. I was hoping to go on a weekday to avoid the Saturday crowds. First I had to swing through Newark, Ohio to a place I’d been once before but I wanted you all to see this amazing piece of architecture.
Behold…the Basket Building!
It’s the headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company. I saw it a couple of years ago when my mother and I embarked on another Great American Road Trip to Del Rio, Texas and back. I discovered it at the website: Roadside America, which list, state by state, all of the neat and unusual sights to be seen on the highways and byways of America.
After snapping these pictures, I headed toward Dayton. I was following State Road 22, determined to avoid the highway, when I passed through, what I thought was just a little Podunk town. It turns out I was in Lancaster, Ohio!
I was sitting at a red light when I looked over and saw an empty parking space right in front of the Ale House 1890. Soā¦I pulled over to grab a meal. Bernadette served me and told me about this town.
“Bernie” also told me that Mt. Pleasant was the neighborhood behind the building and there was a hiking trail that, if you climbed Mount Pleasant, you could see the whole town from its summit. Now, I’ve climbed the 6,000 foot Mount Washington up in New Hampshire in twelve hours time, so when I asked “Bernie” how long it would take to climb Mt. Pleasant she said…twelve minutes. I’m not sure that should be classified as a mountain…?
When “Bernie” finished her lunch break another bartender, Angela (aka: “Fergie”) sat in the same spot and told me more about the history of the building, the area and her dreams of traveling the world with her daughter.
Angela aka “Fergie”
After leaving the pub, I wandered down the main street to discover the home of General William Tecumseh Sherman was only a few buildings away! This was his hometown! Unfortunately, I missed my chance to tour his house by just a few short minutes.
William Tecumseh Sherman’s home…
…the great military strategist…
…now a museum on Main Street…
There also seemed to be a bustling art scene in this town…
With the town closing up, I took some pictures then jumped in my portable hotel, the “XTerra Grand” and proceeded to embark on the perilous ascent of Mt. Pleasant. I needed the exercise, my body getting stiff from all the driving, so even a short climb was welcome and, after it was over, was rather enjoyable.
After that, I drove another hour before finding a suitable Wal*mart to call home.
I never did make it to the Air Force Museum. Perhaps tomorrow…?
But I did find a great, little treasure of a town in Middle America and met a couple of nice people along the way.
The end of a surprisingly pleasant day.
I hope you have a chance to visit this charming, little town.
The gam continues…
American Gam 
Hometown, USA. Really nice. It’s so cool to meet random people, share some laughs, swap stories, and have them become woven into your tapestry. Forge on.
bill thank you for sharing all this beautiful road trip pictures man the city look so beautiful thank you very much we love you .
Your welcome, Johnny. It’s my pleasure to share the road trip with all of you. Love, Bill. š
Thanks for stopping in by our little town and sharing your story. Lancaster is rich with Civil War era history and I think you would have truly enjoyed a visit to The Sherman House. There are several other historical homes including: Ewing House and The Georgian. Downtown is in the midst a of an extensive revitalization with several businesses participating. Ale House is a prime example, the owners to painstaking measure to preserve some of the buildings original character while simultaneously creating a fun establishment. Stop back in mid October when the views from Mt Pleasant are enhanced by natures own spectacular fall foliage display!
Hello – Lancaster is a beautiful locat Koop on but if you ever want something more scenic, head down to the Hocking Hills and check out Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House, and my favorite one of them all, Conkle’s Hollow. Now, that’s a trip. Might need a few days to see all of them, but it’s totally worth it.
I will visit all of those places should I ever return. Thank you.
Thanks I really enjoyed your piece on Road Trip….
I have lived near Lancaster almost my entire life. I now call Lancaster my home and can tell you that the people here are just as nice as the ones you ran into. It is a great town and definitely one that a person can call home. Thank you for your visit to this great town and for your nice words.
Thank you sir for the kind words about our little city. Although I love my home town it does get a little stale from time to time. It’s nice to get the perspective of someone who is just passing through to recognize the charm of our beautiful town. The downtown area you experienced is in the midst of a renovation that promises to further improve the city we love. Stop back by any time.
Thanks,
Jason Shaw
I do hope the future allows me to visit Lancaster again. Great town!
Loved this article! Lancaster was home for us for many years and we are now in the Dayton area. So this article was great for me personally! If you have not already made it to the Dayton area, you must check out quirky Yellowsprings!! A very short drive from the AIRFORCE Museum on route 68! I’d live to hear your take on this little gem. (Check out Ha Ha Pizza…that’s a whole other story!!)
Sorry, I’ve already gone up through Michigan, down through Wisconsin and now I’m headed southwest. I would’ve checked out your recommendations if I’d known or if I was close enough. Next time, perhaps. Thank you.
Amazing place!!! I lived in Lancaster as an exchange student in 2007 and fell in live with that place. Next time go tour Sherman’s house… You’ll have an amazing tour with the best tour guide there… (aka: “my grandfather”) š
I hope to go there some day and meet your “grandfather.”
MY wife and I were engaged on Mt. Pleasant. If you look closely in one of the pictures you can seem the house i grew up in. It is over there, no the white one a little farther up,… yep that’s the one!
Oh, yeah! I see it! The white house with the tree in the yard!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed my lil’ home town! I just ate at Ale House 1890 last night for the first time since they reopened under the new name. Next time you are in town, try the buffalo chicken pizza… YUM. Also glad you took on our “mountain.” š
I do hope to visit your great little town again. Hopefully, some of my readers will have the opportunity as well.