Small Town Ohio

What’s in Ohio, and why travel there? I had a reason—my wife Sheri was raised in Toledo. Of course, there are a thousand reasons to travel to other destinations around the world, but every place has its own uniqueness, and that includes small-town Ohio in the heart of America. The Midwest is dotted with small towns, and Ohio sits at its eastern edge. If you want to experience what shaped America and helped win the Second World War, look no further than the steak-and-potatoes middle of the country.

Our flight landed in Detroit, and our first stop was Toledo to visit Sheri’s relatives. Maumee and Perrysburg are two wonderful small towns close to each other. This area includes the historic Earthworks of Fort Miamis, a British fort that played a role in the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) and the War of 1812. In the late 18th century, the Maumee River region became a hotspot of conflict between Native Americans and European settlers, especially during the Northwest Indian War (1785-1795).

Fort Miami, built by the British near present-day Maumee, was a key site during this conflict. The Battle of Fallen Timbers, a decisive victory for American forces under General Anthony Wayne, took place just a few miles from Maumee. This battle ended significant Native American resistance in the area and led to the Treaty of Greenville (1795), opening the region to European-American settlement.

Near the Maumee River, we found a great spot—Brew House Coffee & Bake Shop (SV), located at 320 Conant Street in Maumee. They have the best coffee and ambiance in the Toledo area. The “flat white” is a local favorite, and I enjoyed the gluten-free peanut butter cookie for three days straight. The area is worth a visit. I even discovered that the class genius from my high school, Steve Cuddyback, lived in Perrysburg, and we met up at the Brew House. This beautiful area has everything you could want in a small town—friendly people and a relaxed vibe. Quite a change from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and New York City. Across the street is a nice cigar lounge called The Cigar Affair, and a few doors down is The Village Idiot, a popular pizzeria packed most days.

Just across the Maumee River is Perrysburg, a historic city located along its southern banks. Founded in 1816, Perrysburg was named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval hero of the War of 1812, after his victory in the Battle of Lake Erie.

Perrysburg was one of the original townships established after the Treaty of Greenville (1795), which formally ended hostilities and opened much of Ohio for settlement. It was designed as a strategic port and military outpost due to its location along the Maumee River, which was an important transportation and trade route in the early 19th century. The city served as a key stop along the Miami and Erie Canal, contributing to its growth during the mid-1800s.

We heard about Lupitas Cantina (SV), located at 209 Louisiana Avenue in Perrysburg’s Historic District. It’s on a charming street with a nice nighttime vibe. Since we’re from California, we’re used to authentic Mexican cuisine, and Lupitas did not disappoint. The food, drinks, and service were excellent.

Our waitress, Laura Rubio, was also the bartender and served up delicious margaritas that went perfectly with our enchiladas. She recommended their vast selection of high-end tequila. Lupitas also has an Airbnb upstairs called the Romantic Casa del Sol, which we’ll definitely reserve next time.

The next day, we traveled to Massillon, Ohio. My wife and her two sisters wanted to visit the old church where they had gone to school. It was a two-hour drive from Toledo, but when I saw the steeple towers of Divine Mercy Parish, I had to see the inside. Unfortunately, all the doors were locked. We asked someone from the school if we could go inside, but were told the church was only open on select days. Just as we were about to give up, Sheri tried one last door, and at that moment, a gentleman named Mark Thewes pulled up and asked if we wanted to see inside. It turned out he was the Music Co-Director!

Mark was kind enough to give us a tour and some history about the church. The interior was stunning, with a huge pipe organ in the upper back section. Mark even played the organ for us, and I captured the moment on my iPhone.

Mark also shared that the church had nearly burned down years ago. Someone lit a candle and left, causing an ember to reach the ceiling and start a fire. The church, built in 1873, was saved by its tin roof, a feature no one had known about until then, preventing what could have been a disaster like Notre Dame’s.

We then headed to Louisville, Ohio, to visit more relatives. We asked for recommendations for a coffee shop and dinner spot. Just down the street, we found Virgil’s Coffee House & Creamery (SV), located at 523 E Main Street in Louisville. This quaint, old-fashioned house had the best latte, homemade ice cream, and assorted desserts. There’s plenty of seating inside and outside to relax and enjoy yourself.

Just down the street we enjoyed dinner at Scratch Steakhouse and Lounge (SV) at 108 East Main Street in Louisville, offering fine dining with a focus on high-quality steaks and handcrafted dishes. The restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking a refined meal. Their Thursday special was filet mignon with mashed potatoes and red wine—half off! The food and service were excellent.

Our last stop was MacQueen Orchards (SV), located at 7605 Garden Road in Holland, Ohio. This farm is a popular local attraction known for its apple orchard, cider mill, and farm market. It’s especially famous for its delicious donuts with ice cream, drawing long lines of visitors. The orchard offers a classic, down-to-earth farm experience with fresh produce, family-friendly activities, and seasonal events.