This beautiful bridge was completed in 1925, a single-leaf bascule bridge that carries Ohio route…read more531 over the Ashtabula River in Ashtabula. It is a Strauss bascule bridge that is one of two remaining drawbridges in service in the state. (The other is the Charles Berry Bridge in Lorain, between Cleveland and Sandusky.) The bridge consists of a lot of steel and rivets that join together quite a number of pieces, all balanced by a massive concrete counterweight that uses electric motors to raise and lower. I hung around for a while but no boats came along to cause the bridge to lift. Bummer! [Review 1373 of 2024 - 291 in Ohio - 22396 overall]

First time saw a lifted bridge, as the bridge is so low, seems even a normal family touring boat…read morecan't pass the bridge without lifting the bridge. It's interesting, and seems the bridge has a schedule to lift.

That's a hard no. The Ashtabula Lighthouse stands at the end of a rough breakwater that is, I…read morebelieve, about a mile long. Not paved, it's loose rip rap and it might be nice to walk all the way out there, but you still need to walk all the way back. First lit in 1905, the 40 foot tall rectangular house has a red cylindrical tower at the top. If you do make the walk successfully and return, let me know. I have no problem making a regular walk for a view but this? I'm too clumsy. There is a parking area nearby and a small rocky beach. This is my 5th lighthouse on Lake Erie and the 100th lighthouse in my collection, https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g [Review 1370 of 2024 - 289 in Ohio - 22393 overall]

Because I love covered bridges so much, Chris planned a day-long driving tour of Ashtabula county's…read more16 covered bridges. Benetka Rd bridge was my favorite of all of the bridges we saw that day. The bridge, one of currently 16 drivable bridges in the county, is a single span Town truss design, with laminated arches being added during its renovation in 1985.[1] The bridge's WGCB number is 35-04-12,[2] and it is located approximately 4 mi (6.4 km) south of North Kingsville. ca 1900 - Bridge constructed. 1985 - Bridge rehabilitated; laminated arches added. The bridge is located in Sheffield and was first known as East Matherson, named after Samuel Mather. John Greggs, the first Justice of the Peace, gave it the name of Sheffield. In the mid-19th century a water powered saw, grist and flour mill was located by this site. Covered bridges are generally considered old-fashioned, and appeal to tourists, but the purpose is twofold: (1) covered bridges appear similar to barns and it is easier to transport cattle across them without startling them, and (2) to build a structure for weather protection over the working part of the bridge. A bridge built entirely out of wood, without any protective coating, may last 10 to 15 years. Builders discovered that if the bridge's underpinnings were protected with a roof, the bridge could stand for 70, or even 80 years. The existing covered bridges have been renovated using concrete footings and steel trusses to hold additional weight and to replace the original support timbers.Some covered bridges, such as the one in Newton Falls, Ohio and Elizabethton, Tennessee, also feature an integrated covered walkway. Ohio is so unique with its covered bridges. It was awesome to visit the bridges one by one -- to see Ohio's beauty from the back roads.

We are not from the area and we visited Squires Castle on a busy weekend. The place was packed!…read moreEven though there's what seems like ample parking, it was so full when we arrived that it was a little tough to find a spot. Before we came, we read that the castle is a stone ruin from the late 1800s and thought it would be interesting to explore but there was so much going on while we were there, that proved quite difficult to do. There were multiple people and families doing photo shoots in and around the castle... Like professional photo shoots. They had cameramen and lighting. There were lots of children running around and playing and people picnicking on the green space in front. There were just lots of people everywhere. We even saw a bunch of young people doing a full-on LARPing session and sword fighting just adjacent to the castle near the trees. It was really cute. Although we were just there for a short visit on our way, we did see lots of signs for trails and people walking and even though I didn't want to fight the crowds of people, my husband did go up and go inside one of the rooms in the castle and peek out the window at me. There were also benches and tables, but almost all of them were occupied. Like I said, there was a ton of people the day that we decided to stop but that didn't stop us from having a nice time. I'm glad we had a chance to stop here, but I definitely wish it had been quieter and we had had at least a moment to ourselves. I can see from other people's photos that this can be achieved by visiting at the right time, so if you can, I totally suggest stopping and enjoying this cool relic!

'm so glad I decided to visit Squires Castle--it was absolutely breathtaking, especially in the…read morefall! The vibrant autumn leaves created a stunning backdrop that made the entire experience feel magical. The castle itself is a captivating sight, but it's surrounded by scenic paved walking paths, vast open spaces perfect for picnicking, sports, and simply soaking in nature. It's clearly a popular spot for photography, as I saw multiple sessions taking place while I was there. The ample parking made the visit even more convenient. The castle's exterior is impressive, and the inside has a rustic, hollow charm that adds to its character. Whether you're looking to relax, explore, or capture the perfect photo, Squires Castle is an absolute gem during the fall season.

James Garfield was one of the Ohio presidents and he was assassinated in his first year in office…read more His house in Mentor is the one where he lived and from which he ran his front porch campaign for presidency in 1880. You start your visit at the visitor center. There you can check in for a visit in the Garfield house which is only accessible with a free guided tour. While waiting, you can explore the exhibition about President Garfield's life and visit the gift shop. President Garfield's life is an American rags to riches story. His father died when he was two and he was raised by his mother in poverty. For this he was mocked and bullied, which made him very sensitive. He left home at age 16 and went to work on a canal boat in Cleveland, managing the mules. In 1858 he married Lucretia Rudolph, and they had seven children, five of whom survived infancy, four boys and a girl. Therefore, the family needed a big house, and in 1876 Garfield purchased the Lawnfield estate in Mentor and its house, which was expanded and restored many times both during his life and after his assassination. The house has since been restored to its original color. On the property you can also visit his 1880 campaign office, which was originally his library, and see the windmill, which pumped water into the faucets, bathrooms, and laundry rooms of the house. The beautiful house is a remarkable and great part of the Ohio and American history. You also enjoy the original decoration and furniture of the house. The dining room is set as a replica of the festive dinner the Garfield family ate to celebrate the news that James had been elected president. When you are in the area, remember also to visit the James A. Garfield Memorial at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland.

I confess I knew almost nothing about our 20th president, James A. Garfield. Today, thanks to a…read morewonderful tour provided by Victor, a ranger with the National Park Service, I can now not only say that I know much more about him, but also that I would have voted for him as well. I learned a lot about politics in the late 1800's. Things have certainly changed. The James A Garfield National Historic Site is a treasure trove of history. The home is fabulous. Thanks to a generous 1934 gift from the Garfield children to the Western Reserve Historical Society, we can see the home as it looked when the Garfields lived there, complete with original furnishings and artwork. Transferred in 1980 to the National Park Service, we now can all enjoy this amazing home and its history by taking a tour. Lucretia Garfield was an extraordinary woman ahead of her time. After her husband was assassinated, she created a memorial library in the home, to preserve his books and presidential papers. The library included a fireproof vault to protect important documents. I loved the architectural details, coordinating wall paper, light fixtures, and the thoughtful touches that turned the lovely house into a home. I'd have happily paid for this excellent tour, but it was FREE. Honestly, I could go on and on. Definitely RECOMMENDED!

Came to the Croatian lodge for a wedding. There were probably 500+ guests. The venue definitely…read moremade it comfortable for the large crowd. The food was amazing. Served family style. The wedding soup was hot and delicious to start the meal. The salad was fresh and tasty. The potatoes, goulash and schnitzel were so delicious !! While we were there to celebrate an amazing couples wedding, the venue was beautiful and the service was superb ! This being my first Croatian wedding - amazing celebration !!!!

I've been to several events at the Croatian lodge and if you are in need of a large event space…read moreeast of Cleveland, this is one. There is even a stage lending itself well to live entertainment. The food is always the same. Traditional Croatian cooking served family style. They skimp a bit where sometimes a dish doesn't make it around the table without needing refilled. The ladies are willing to do that, but they move slowly. The staff are aging. They are a bit abrupt in their communication but always willing to get you what you ask for. The food is bland. The bathrooms are large and clean. The lobby is pretty and the ballroom is brighter than the past with its recent updates. The architecture is beautiful.

Located near the Ashtabula Lift Bridge, this marker tells the story of the area. They have also…read moreinstalled a number of caption signs that detail the history of the river and its recovery from pollution. The front of the marker reads, "When the Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Ashtabula Railroad was finished in 1873, Ashtabula's harbor became a direct route to ship iron ore to the booming steel mills of Youngstown and Pittsburgh. On the west side of the Ashtabula River, a brush-filled gulley became Bridge Street. New buildings and bridges attest to the harbor's importance as a commercial and shipping hub from the late 19th through mid 20th centuries. Fires destroyed wood-frame buildings on the block closest to the river. A fire in 1886 nearly cleared the north side of Bridge Street. Another fire swept over the south side in 1900. Fire resistant brick buildings replaced frame structures and over the course of rebuilding, the level of the street rose approximately eight feet. In 1889, a swing-span bridge replaced the original pontoon bridge over the river. A bascule lift (draw) bridge replaced the swing bridge in 1925. And on the reverse, "Demand for labor in Ashtabula brought Swedish, Finnish, Irish, Italian and other immigrants to the city. Bridge Street served these and other residents, and the marine and railroad trade. Businesses on Bridge Street included department stores, barbers, grocers, attorneys, undertakers, and restaurants, as well as pool halls, saloons, and brothels. Ashtabula's harbor was one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes, even surpassing Cleveland as an ore receiving port. It was also reputed to be one of the toughest ports in the world, sharing that distinction with Shanghai and Calcutta. Machines gradually replaced stevedores and this process was accelerated with the installation of Hulett ore unloaders on the docks in 1910. By the late 20th century, mechanization progressed to the point that, under a crew's guidance, ships unloaded themselves. The City of Ashtabula placed the harbor commercial district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975." This is marker number 12-4 and it was erected in 2010 by the Ashtabula City Port Authority and The Ohio Historical Society. There is parking nearby in the marina. [Review 1372 of 2024 - 290 in Ohio - 22395 overall]

This is quite a large library with lots of resources! There are plenty of and reservable meeting…read moreand study spaces and rows of computers to use! One of my favorite parts is the second hand book store offered from an outside provider, but it's super fun to pick some books out for an incredibly low price, most of them are even less than the thrift store! Extra bonus is that they offer Apple Pay as well! This library also has a drive thru when you can pick up your holds and return books. Anything you can think of for a library this branch probably has!

I went there today with assistance for a passport application. Everything was easy. From the…read moreinitial appointment to the three follow up phone calls to ask follow up, and most likely, annoying questions, to the actual appointment today. Forgive me if I don't get her name right, but it might have been Aliesha, and she was awesome. Great people, and everyone was helpful. Great job.