Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Milan, OH
Year Listed: 2002
If you feel an air of ingenuity surrounding you in Milan, Ohio, it's no wonder. This picturesque town, often described as "a piece of New England in northwestern Ohio," is the birthplace of famed inventor Thomas Edison, whose ideas changed the world. Milan's leafy streets, handsome village square and remarkable history as an inland canal port make it easy to see where Edison found his inspiration.
Clock tower in downtown Milan.
Credit: Ellen E. Maurer
The town's history is one of tremendous growth. The construction of a three-mile-long canal in 1839 linked Milan with the navigable Huron River, and a tremendous boom in trade swiftly followed. Even though Milan was landlocked, it became the second largest inland wheat port in the world. But rails, not canals, were the future of inland transportation. Milan's canal and warehouses were eventually abandoned and slowly became a part of the village's history. That history is still gloriously on display in Milan, where well-preserved and revitalized buildings and monuments lend distinction to a vibrant downtown. Dedicated on July 4, 1867, the Civil War Monument honors the men from Milan who fought to defend the Union.
On Edison Drive, you can visit Thomas Edison's birthplace, now faithfully restored to its 19th-century appearance. The Edison Birthplace Museum features a collection of rare Edisoniana, including examples of many of Edison's early inventions, documents and family mementos. The Milan Historical Museum sprawls through nine separate buildings, including the fully restored Lockwood, Smith & Co. General Store, a blacksmith shop and carriage shed. On the third weekend in October, the Museum's one-acre complex comes to life with demonstrations, re-enactors, horse-drawn carriage rides, vintage music and working crafters to commemorate "Settlers Day." Other opportunities for family fun include hiking the 22-acre Galpin Wildlife Preserve and picnicking, baseball playing and shuffleboard at Edison Park. It may be lesser known than the famous Italian fashion and design capital that shares its name, but Milan, Ohio, is second to none in its all-American combination of big-time history and small-town charm.
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