“It’s kind of a hidden gem of western Ohio. People think, ‘Well, it’s a small community, maybe we’ll spend a half-hour here,’ ” said Darke County Historical Society executive director Clay Johnson. “But they are wonderfully surprised when they discover all the places to visit and things to do.”
Darke County is adjacent to the Indiana border and is northwest of Montgomery County and two counties west of Clark County.
Here is a survey of what to do in Greenville and Darke County:
Places to go
Winery at Versailles
6572 Ohio 47, Versailles
(937) 526-3232
This winery won six medals at the International Eastern Wine Competition. That competition includes about 2,200 entries with wines from 16 countries and 34 states. Wine tastings and sales of 25 different wines, a complete line of wine-making supplies and equipment. Gifts include individually designed gift baskets. There are gourmet dinners and steak fry weekends. And there is the Wine-ee Women VIP Club.
Bear’s Mill
6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Road, Greenville
(937) 548-5112, www.bearsmill.com
Visitors are treated to both history and culture at this quaint mill built in 1849. It is one of the few operating water-powered mills in Ohio today. Works by regional artists are featured, as well as handmade pottery. The mill store offers cornmeal, whole-wheat and rye flour and private-label preserves. Free self-guided tours.
Eldora Speedway
13929 Ohio 118 in New Weston
(937) 338-3815, www.eldora speedway.com
Also known as the “Big E,” this half-mile dirt racing track is owned by Tony Stewart.
June events at Eldora include:
June 6: eighth annual Feed the Children Prelude to the Dream features more than 20 of the top NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA stars; tickets $25
June 8-9: 18th annual Dirt Late Model Dream racing for UMP DIRTcar Late Models; tickets $38
June 30: Chevy Performance FASTRAK Clash Pro Late Models, UMP DIRTcars, stocks, fireworks; tickets $15
KitchenAid Experience
423 S. Broadway, Greenville
(888) 886-8318, www.KitchenAid.com
Downtown Greenville boasts the largest selection of KitchenAid countertop appliances/cooking tools. Live cooking shows and kitchen products are featured at the Heritage Center. In a related matter, there is the ...
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Factory Tour
1701 KitchenAid Way, Greenville
One-hour tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Guest must be older than 12 and wear closed-toe shoes.
Where to stay
A day trip to Greenville is convenient, but if you want to make it an overnight stay, there here are a few possibilities:
The Inn at Versailles
21 W. Main St.
(937) 526-3020, www.InnatVersailles.com
An opulent, Euro-American inn and restaurant
Rate: $159
Wayman’s Corner Bed and Breakfast
633 Central Ave., Greenville
(937) 316-6074, www.waymans corner.com
Rates: $80-$150
Comfort Inn
1190 E. Russ Road, Greenville
(937) 316-5252, www.comfortinn.com /hotel-Greenville
Rates: $85-$116 includes free hot breakfast
Upcoming events
Live Music Downtown, June 1
Versailles Poultry Days, June 6-10
Annie Oakley Festival, July 27-29
Steam Threshers Annual Reunion, June 28-July 1
Farm Power of the Past, July 5-8
Horseshoe Pitching Tournament, July 1-4
The Great Darke County Fair, Aug. 17-25
Places to eat/snack
Montage, wine, soup, sandwiches, salads
Winners Meat Shop features marinated pork chops
Bartonia Restaurant, with a Friday night all-you-can-eat walleye dinner
Bistro Off Broadway, Midwest recipes with a jazz theme
Maid Rite Drive Through, locals love the “regular” and a shake
Jim’s Drive-In, Spanish Hot Dogs delivered by carhop
Ghyslain Chocolatier in Union City, European chocolates/pastry
Outdoor fun
For information about the Darke County Parks system: (937) 548-0165, www.DarkeCounty Parks.org
Parks: Coppess Nature Sanctuary, Worth Family Nature Preserve, Routzong Preserve, Shawnee Prairie Reserve, Darke County Nature Center
Also visit the Alice Bish Walkway, Tecumseh Walkway.
Fishing at Greenville City Park (no license required)
Darke County has three public golf courses.
For the kids
Municipal City Band concert in city park - Sunday evenings
Birt’s General Store/in-season fruit; 250 kinds of candy
Biking on bike trail, or into surrounding countryside
Swim at Wayne Lakes Little Beach
Playground at Greenville City Park (see the peacocks)
Darke County historical facts
Anthony Wayne was a Revolutionary War hero who brokered the Treaty of Green Ville with several American Indian tribes in 1795, and established a fort there.
Downtown Greenville lists 85 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Water Street Cemetery has stones of veterans from The War of 1812 and the Civil War.
Lowell Thomas, the voice of CBS during World War II, was a Darke County native.
Contact contributing writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.
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