Shawnee – Trail Town Dedication October 14th, 2018
Nestled in the foothills of Appalachia in Southern Perry County is the historic coal mining village, now Trail Town, known as Shawnee. Settlers first arrived in the area around 1814, however the town government wasn’t established until 1874. This friendly little town is home to scenic views along Main Street, featuring overhanging second-story porches and unique architecture, which lends to the imagination what the quiet streets would have looked like at the turn of the century with over 4,000 residents! Today, Shawnee is home to approximately 650 people, who are descendants of the Welsh, German, Scottish, Irish, and Italian immigrants who came here in the early 1900s to work in the mines, and create homes and lives for their families.
In 1952, after all mining and brick factories were shut down, local townspeople convened and decided to construct a new recreational area on the outskirts of town, with the hopes of drawing people back to the once booming city, this man-made structure is known as Tecumseh Lake. Today, the lake is still a popular destination for hikers, fishermen, and kayakers and shows that resourcefulness is not a quality that has been lost through the generations! Shawnee is home to many flourishing organizations including Destination Shawnee, Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area, Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council, and hosts the state headquarters for the Buckeye Trail Association.
Located in the heart of Wayne National Forest, Shawnee is surrounded by miles and miles of public land. Ohio’s only national forest boasts over 100,000 acres that are used for hiking trails, fishing sites, camping areas, horseback riding trails, birding areas, and ATV riding areas. As if that wasn’t enough, Shawnee is also only a quick trip away from Burr Oak State Park and Hocking Hills State Park which claims over 2,500 acres of gorgeous waterfalls, trails, caves, and more. This close proximity makes Shawnee ideal for a trip to nature, with something for everyone!
Shawnee is proud to have become a Trail Town and hopes to work closely with the Buckeye Trail Association in order to promote outdoor experiences. Thank you, we hope to see you soon!