The Prairie Grass Trail and Roberts Pass offer different route perspectives in London, Ohio; the area also features Madison County history and the London State Theater. Trail reference points matter, too: the route descriptions have different start and end points.
Trails with Clear Reference Points
The Prairie Grass Trailhead is at 262 West High Street in London, just south of the Madison County Senior Center. The Prairie Grass Trail begins here and runs about 10 miles southwest to South Charleston. London Trailside Camping, a service for long-distance hikers, is also available at the same trailhead. This connects the trail’s starting point and approximate route with London and South Charleston.
In London, Roberts Pass runs east from Walnut Street to the Roberts Pass Trailhead, east of 199 East Center Street. From there, the trail continues for another 6.8 miles to the Wilson Road terminus, where it connects to the Camp Chase Trail. The Roberts Pass Trailhead has parking, benches, and trash receptacles, including dog waste bags. For a comparison of the distances, the reference point matters: the Prairie Grass Trail’s roughly 10 miles run from its trailhead to South Charleston; the Roberts Pass’s 6.8 miles describe the stretch from its trailhead to the Wilson Road terminus. The eastbound route from Walnut Street to the Roberts Pass Trailhead is also part of the route description.
Museum and Local History
The Madison County Historical Society Museum is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.; visits are also available by appointment. If you’re planning a museum visit, use these hours as a guide and check the opening times before you go. On the grounds of the Madison County Historical Society stands Jonathan Alder’s small cabin, one of the first log cabins in Madison County. The museum also features an exhibit about the Lilly Chapel Post Office and Miller’s Store. Miller’s Store represents the many general stores that were important to Madison County’s farming community.
The historic 1811 Downtown District in London, Ohio, is also linked to local efforts. A local charitable organization classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code has the sole purpose of continually improving the District. Together with the cabin and the exhibit, this offers a look at different aspects of Madison County history: early log cabins, general stores, and a historic downtown district.
Movies at the London State Theater
The London State Theater adds film to the area’s historical attractions. Its auditorium has more than 250 seats, and its digital projector is suited to current movies. The food and drink options are specific, too: they range from popcorn and soda to sandwiches and flatbreads. This makes the cinema quite different from the museum: here, the focus is on film technology, seating capacity, and refreshments; there, on regional history and its exhibits.
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