Ohio’s landscape holds secret treasures that many residents drive past without noticing. Hidden in plain sight are monuments that tell fascinating stories about our state’s rich past. From ancient Native American earthworks to memorials of forgotten heroes, these overlooked landmarks deserve more attention from history lovers and curious travelers alike.
1. Leatherlips Monument’s Tragic History
A massive stone face emerges from the earth in Dublin’s Scioto Park, honoring a Wyandot chief whose story embodies the tragic clash between native peoples and white settlers. Chief Leatherlips (Shateyaronyah) earned his English nickname for his unwavering honesty and commitment to peace with American settlers.
His loyalty to treaties signed with the United States ultimately cost him his life. In 1810, rival tribal members executed him for allegedly practicing witchcraft – though historians believe his real crime was refusing to join Tecumseh’s resistance movement.
The 12-foot limestone sculpture created in 1990 by Boston artist Ralph Helmick ensures his story isn’t forgotten.
2. Serpent Mound’s Mysterious Origins
Coiled atop a plateau in Adams County rests America’s most famous serpent effigy. This 1,348-foot-long earthen sculpture winds gracefully across the landscape, depicting a massive snake with an open mouth…