In northern Licking County, “farmhouse” isn’t a decorating trend: It’s a lifestyle. Set back from the rambling country roads amid seas of cornfields, the homes along the Glacier Pass Pathfinder route invoke images of simpler times: Picturesque front porches, old barns, the sort of simplicity that doesn’t need a modern touch to look inviting. Long before barns and cornfields, however, glaciers extending from the Great Lakes shaped this landscape, leaving behind not just altered topography but such interesting artifacts as mastodon fossils (thanks, Johnstown!). This is the history that lends Glacier Pass its name, and which has shaped each crest and valley over which the 50-mile trek passes.
1. Hartford Fairgrounds
Hartford Fairgrounds
The route’s beginning in Hartford Township leads past the Hartford Fairgrounds, whose red-roofed outbuildings lend a cheerful feel to the surrounding agricultural landscape. The Hartford Independent Fair — fondly known as “The Biggest Little Fair in the World” — annually draws visitors from across surrounding counties to support local agriculture, nibble on classic fair food and marvel under the nighttime lights as fast cars speed along a dirt track below the grandstand. While the fair celebrated its 162nd year in a low-key way, it remains a bright spot in the year for young farmers throughout central Ohio.
2. Village of Hartford
Just south of the fairgrounds, the Village of Hartford — its post office designates it as Croton because of another Hartford that existed at the time of its establishment — is the epitome of “quaint,” the “blink-and-you-miss-it” hamlet that nonetheless deserves more than a blink of your time, if only for a stroll down the sidewalk. Platted in 1824 but gradually overlooked by the traveling masses as state highways became primary routes of travel, Hartford still waits with memories for anyone willing to take the time. Pullover and take a minute to breathe in life on a smaller scale. Grab a bite at Bouncin’ Bean Coffee shop, where you can surely catch up on the latest town happenings. Tip your hat (or give your business) to the small business owners who have called Hartford home for generations.
3. Village of Johnstown - Mastodon Preserve
The Village of Johnstown plays a large part in the history behind the Glacier Pass trail, thanks to the famed Johnstown Mastodon, unearthed by a local tenant farmer in 1926. The skeleton, believed to have belonged to a 20-year-old male mastodon, remains on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. In 2016, the site of the mastodon’s discovery was transformed into a park known as Mastodon Preserve, located adjacent to the Johnstown Trailhead Park at 187 E. Jersey Street. Here, visitors can follow a packed limestone trail to the site where the mastodon’s remains were recovered.
4. Three Oaks Vineyard and Sportsman Club Road
Traversing the vast farmland just east of Johnstown, the scenic Sportsman’s Club Road passes its namesake Johnstown Community Sportsman Club, site of the annual Swapper’s Day gathering — a flea market lover’s paradise. Just beyond it, take a quick detour off Chestnut Hills Road to Three Oaks Vineyard (official address: 1591 Crosley Rd., Granville). Sweet or dry, red or white, Three Oaks is an inviting place for travelers and locals to relax off the beaten path and sip their favorite. Open from 2 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (or for pickup throughout the week), Three Oaks sells wine by the glass and bottle and offers plenty of outdoor seating, as well as occasional live entertainment.
5. Legend Hills Orchard
Legend Hills Orchard. Past the pastures and wooded curves of country roads — feel free to duck into the Fredonia Mall for a quick bite or soda — Legend Hills Orchard promises a bounty of harvest for locavores. The fifth-generation farm, open year-round, offers a vast selection of seasonal produce in addition to local canned and dry goods. Whether you drop in for pick-your-own peaches, a gallon of fresh-pressed apple cider, or just a jaunt in the fresh country air, Legend Hills promises a delicious way to spend an afternoon with family and friends.
