In Ada, you can watch footballs being made: the Wilson Football Factory invites visitors to see the production process, visit the retail store, and tour the on-site museum. Wilson Sporting Goods has been making leather footballs in Ada since 1955. At one location, you can experience both the product’s manufacturing and history, as well as visitor amenities.
History on Many Scales
There are several different exhibits to explore at the Hardin County Heritage Center: the Beech Grove Schoolhouse, an International Car Company caboose, the Agricultural Learning Hub, the historic Staadt Log Home, and a historic general store in the former Dunkirk Jail. The schoolhouse, railway car, agricultural learning center, log cabin, and store offer different ways to explore the county’s history rather than focusing on a single subject.
Historic sites outside the Heritage Center also tell the story of the region. The site of Chief Roundhead’s Village was home to a Wyandot village in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The site is visited as part of the County Marker Tour. County Road 265 follows an old Indigenous trail that connected the Wyandot villages near Upper Sandusky with the Shawnee settlements of Mac-o-chee to the southwest. Here, the connection between route and history is tangible: the road follows the former trail.
The Black and White Schoolhouse was built in 1886 by direct descendants of enslaved people and served as a place of education for local young people until 1928. The Hardin County Courthouse offers another perspective on the area’s built history: Richards, McCarty & Bulford designed the building, which was constructed in 1915. These facts highlight different aspects—education, historic routes, and architecture—and also make Hardin County an interesting destination for travelers who want to take time to explore its history.
The Hardin County Mural Trail features 16 murals in Ada, Kenton, Mt. Victory, and Forest. The works are spread across four communities, offering a different way to experience the region than visiting a single museum or historic building.
Marsh, Old-Growth Forest, and Birdwatching
Scioto Marsh is the largest of three extensive wetlands in western Hardin County. It formed in shallow basins left behind by the retreat of the last glacier 10,000 years ago.
Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve encompasses more than 1,000 preserved acres and is among the region’s largest known old-growth forests. The address is 13278 County Road 190, Kenton, Ohio 43326. Conditions and access may vary by season, so check access rules before your visit.
Andreoff Wildlife Area straddles the Hardin County–Wyandot County border, about 10 miles northeast of Kenton. It includes more than 700 acres of publicly accessible land for hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing; follow the rules posted on-site. Bird counts also give an idea of the birdwatching opportunities: about 86 breeding bird species are found there, while nearly 175 species are observed annually. Counts may vary depending on the survey year.
Exploring Rural Culture and Recreation
You can experience Old Order Amish culture in Hardin County on a bike ride or drive through the countryside. Learn about local customs and access considerations in advance.
In Kenton, Market on Main brings local vendors, craftspeople, and producers together at a seasonal outdoor market in the city center. If you plan to include it in your visit, keep in mind that it is seasonal and check the market dates for your trip.
Also in Kenton is the Hi-Road Drive-in, a two-screen drive-in theater. It opened in 1949 and has operated continuously ever since. Seasonal operating schedules may vary, so check the listings before visiting. Along with football manufacturing, historic sites, and landscapes, the drive-in shows how varied the experiences in Hardin County can be.
Discover more destinations: Kenton, Licking, Coshocton County, Franklin, Hocking County, Allen, Preble County, Ashland County.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
