Delaware, Ohio, is steeped in history and boasts a treasure trove of historic sites to visit. Founded in 1808 and named after the Indigenous people who inhabited the area, the town is now home to families, retirees, and working professionals who commute to nearby Columbus. Take a step back in time, and visit these four historic sites to learn more about Delaware’s rich heritage.
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Historic Downtown Delaware
Stroll around award-winning Historic Downtown Delaware, which is home to many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2018, the Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association designated the downtown area as a “Great Place in Ohio.” Shop the boutique stores, have a craft beer at a local brewery, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants you’ll find on the three-block Sandusky Street Corridor. Be sure to bring your camera to take photos of the gorgeous houses and buildings.
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Chief Leatherlips Monument
Travel 10 miles south to Dublin to see the striking sphinx-like sculpture of the Chief Leatherlips Monument. The 12-foot-tall monument honors Chief Shateyaronyah, who was the leader of the Wyandot people. The early European settlers gave the chief the affectionate name of Leatherlips because he always kept his promise. The Dublin Arts Council commissioned Boston artist Ralph Helmick to build the limestone sculpture, and in 1990, the monument was dedicated and placed in Scioto Park. The monument features a silhouette of Shateyaronyah with his hair blown back, receding into the hillside.
Visitors can climb to the top of the sculpture to pose for photos and get a bird’s-eye view of the forests and prairie that surround the monument. This is the land Chief Shateyaronyah’s people lived on until he signed the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, giving the land to the local settlers.
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Rush Creek Village
If you’re a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, head 15 miles south to Worthington to see the homes of Rush Creek Village. In 1954, Martha and Richard Wakefield decided to build a community of homes using Wright’s philosophy of integrating the building into its natural surroundings. Each home was built to fit its owner’s unique personality and lifestyle yet stays true to the organic architecture philosophy. In 2003, Rush Creek Village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Harding Memorial
Plan a day trip about 20 miles north to Marion to visit the stunning Harding Memorial. The granite and marble monument is the final resting place of the 29th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding, and his wife, Florence King Harding. Construction of the monument began in 1926 and was finished in 1927. The tomb is built to resemble a Greek temple with an open-sky design.
Today, you can visit the beautiful tomb, see the Hardings’ gravesite, and read the educational displays located throughout the memorial. The 10-acre site is also available to rent for private events.
We hope you enjoy visiting these important historic sites in Delaware and learning more about our city’s rich heritage!
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