Under one roof at the Historic Jail Museum were both the jail and the jailer’s residence. Built in 1882, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Noble County, you’ll find traces of the past in individual buildings, religious institutions and sites tied to industrial history. Covered bridges tell stories of rebuilding and preservation; Wolf Run Lake and the hills of southeastern Ohio provide a scenic counterpoint.
Bridges, Homes and Shared History
The Parrish Covered Bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1914 and later moved to the fairgrounds at Heritage Park. The Manchester Covered Bridge was built in 1915 and restored in 2005. These dates reflect different chapters in their histories: at Parrish, the post-flood reconstruction shapes the story, while Manchester’s construction and later restoration took place years apart.
Heritage Park features a covered bridge, a relocated log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse and a relocated church. The church is used for weddings and services. Together, the buildings give the site a distinctive historical focus, complementing the county’s individual bridges and homes.
The Ball-Caldwell Homestead centers on the history of a house: Samuel Caldwell built the home now known by that name in 1832. The Ball-Caldwell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 27, 1980. Churches, meanwhile, tell stories of communities being established and of later construction. The congregation of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fulda has been here since 1847, founded by German settlers. The church itself was built in 1874–75 and added to the Register in 1979. St. Henry’s Catholic Church and its rectory were added together in 1982.
Another historic connection is the crash of the U.S.S. Shenandoah over Noble County on September 3, 1925, which claimed the lives of 14 men. Thorla-McKee Park is home to North America’s first oil well. The original sycamore wood remains visible; the well still produces limited quantities of oil, gas and salt water. The area’s history thus spans buildings and religious communities as well as a remnant of its industrial past.
Nature by the Water and in the Hills
Wolf Run State Park covers 1,046 acres in the rugged hills of southeastern Ohio, with scenic woodlands and cool, clear waters. A three-mile stretch of the Buckeye Trail runs along the west shore of Wolf Run Lake. The park allows motorboats of up to 10 horsepower on the lake; a boat ramp and docking facilities are available. Check trail conditions and current boating information locally before heading out.
Nearby, Seneca Lake Park offers opportunities for fishing, boating, water sports, camping, hiking, swimming and nature programs; check the latest information on these activities before your trip. Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area provides habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse and other wildlife. You can pair the waters and trails at Wolf Run with a different perspective on the region’s wildlife.
Scenic Drives
For scenic drives, well-maintained two-lane roads wind through rural landscapes and rolling hills. The Appalachian Byway follows State Route 78 through Noble County. Road conditions can change, so it’s worth checking the latest conditions before you set out.
There’s also a regional destination beyond the county: The Wilds is in neighboring Muskingum County. From Noble County, it can be reached via Exit 28 at Belle Valley and State Route 340. This location makes clear the difference between exploring Noble County and taking a side trip to the neighboring county.
Discover more destinations: Caldwell, Muskingum, Monroe, Huron County, Seneca County, Van Wert, Summit, Ashtabula County.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
