Day 12: August 21, 2024
Center of the Heart
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Pulling into Dennison, OH, I was greeted by the big steam locomotive standing next to the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.
The conflicts between European settlers and Native Americans were rife with atrocities but few can compare to the 1782 massacre of approximately 90 peaceful native men, women, and children at Gnadenhutten. A plaque at the site tells of the massacre and the village. The tall obelisk was erected a century after the massacre. A small museum stands next to a mound containing the victims' remains. The stone on the mound contains the dates 1782 and 1798. I presume the 1798 marks the date of the remains burial following missionary John Heckewelder's return to the site in 1797.

Ironic might not be strong enough to describe the sign in the last picture.

This next stop is also at a grave but it is the grave of a guy who lived a very full life and died at the age of 88. It is the grave of Cy Young, the most famous baseball pitcher ever. Cy was born in Newcomerstown which is right on the PPOO. The grave is about ten miles southeast of town, and for some reason I drove there first. It is a very nice drive. I then returned to Newcomerstown, visited the park, read the sign, and continued on my route.
This metal bridge over the Walhondling River was in use from 1914 until around 2004 so presumedly once carried the PPOO. The Walhonding is a winding river which I crossed two more times before reaching its namesake town. Photos of bridge piers at those two crossings were taken from the decks of their replacements.
I've stopped at this fountain in Mt. Vernon, OH, a couple of time since its appearance in 2019 and, although I'm not a dog or even a pet person, it always makes me smile. There is a spotting guide on a nearby wall.
Ohio's official slogan is "Ohio, The Heart of it All" so this is the center of the heart of it all.
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