01.25.2023
Old Route 24 day trip to Napoleon, Ohio
Miami Erie Canal, Historic Places, and more
What's the Miami and Erie Canal?
It was a 274-mile (441 km) canal finished in 1843 that ran from Cincinnati to Toledo, Ohio, creating a water route between the Ohio River and Lake Erie.
Canal Falls River Access: This spot in specific (located at 16747-16559, OH-424, Napoleon, OH 43545) has a “falls” with a hippie vibe, complete with colorful spray paint on everything from the dirt to the wooden bridge.
The Towpath Trail, where mules once towed flat bottom boats on the Miami & Erie Canal, connects three Metroparks along the Maumee River. That trail runs through this spot, doubling as a gem of a hiking, biking, and walking path.
If you have a few hours, try the 5-mile hike from Defiance’s Independence Dam State Park to Florida, Ohio along the towpath. A map and details are provided on this popular birding website.
Napoleon sites on the National Register of Historic Places:
- First Presbyterian Church (our favorite, listed simply for it’s unusual and amazing architecture). Located at 303 W. Washington Street in Napoleon, it was constructed in the American Craftsman style, built with sandstone walls taken from quarries near Mansfield, Ohio, and topped with a terracotta roof.
- The County Courthouse
- The Sheriff’s House and Jail
- St. Augustine’s Catholic Church
Downtown Napoleon, founded in 1832
The county seat of Henry County, Napoleon was named after French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The area around the town was once known as “the Great Black Swamp,” and with the finishing of the Miami and Erie Canal, brought German immigrants to the area and helped grow the town’s population with railroad lines.
Don’t miss the several beautiful murals around town, great for photo ops! How many can you spot?
Eating options:
We ate at Eddie J’s Grille, a local hotspot that’s not fancy but hits the spot if you are looking for pub food and cheap beer.
Spengler’s is another popular 70s themed diner with good reviews. Try their homemade chips and waffle fries!
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What other spots should we hit in Napoleon? Locals, give us your feedback!
