Roadside Ohio: Man-Made Marvels

Smolen-Gulf Bridge, Ashtabula 
On a drive through Ashtabula County, rolling hills and beautiful trees are bountiful, but so are covered bridges. There are 19 in the county, including the Smolen-Gulf Bridge. The 613-foot-long wooden truss structure is the world’s longest covered bridge and was built by engineer John Smolen, who says that wooden structures still serve a vital function in the modern day. The bridge was built in response to deficiencies in the old steel bridge that spanned the Ashtabula River. Covered bridges have made their stay in Ohio for much of our history, especially in this far northeast corner of the state. 7001 State Rd., Ashtabula 44004, visitashtabulacounty.com


Allison’s Mini Golf, Geneva-on-the-Lake
Nothing says a fun family outing mini golf. Geneva-on-the-Lake is already a summer destination, but Allison’s Mini Golf stands as a landmark with a significant claim to fun. This challenging-yet-fun, 18-hole course dates back to 1924, making it the oldest continually running mini golf course in America. Georgette Allison, the owner of the course, and her husband have been welcoming travelers since 1981, inviting children and adults alike to try their hand at maneuvering their ball around bowling pins and other course obstacles. 5456 Lake Rd. E., Geneva-on-the-Lake 44041, 440/466-7922, allisonsminigolf.com


ASM International’s Geodesic Dome, Novelty
This testament to “Man’s mastery over metals” stands high over the 50,000-square-foot headquarters of ASM International and its public garden in Novelty. The dome, comprised of 13 miles of connected metal tubing, measures 103 feet tall and 274 feet wide, and the gargantuan metal structure weighs over 80 tons 9639 Kinsman Rd., Novelty 44072, 440/338-5151, asminternational.org


Dogwood Pass, Beaver 
Take a trip to the wild west in southeastern Ohio at this living-history attraction created by Mike Montgomery. Though it was originally built as a private family gathering place, Montgomery and his wife, Sharlene, opened Dogwood Pass to the public in 2012, with 39 buildings and reenactors that make guests feel like they’ve stepped into a Old West film. Robbers stroll into town and clean out the bank, horses clop through the streets and all the establishments are fully functional, including the brewpub. 726 Adams Rd., Beaver 45613, 740/835-1130, facebook.com/dogwoodpassoldwesttown


Goodale Park Fountain, Columbus 
Dedicated in 2013, the large fountain adorned with bronze elephants at Columbus’ Goodale Park represents the Sells Family Circus, once a locally based, family-owned circus. Goodale Park is just around the corner from what was once the Sells family mansion, dubbed the “circus house.” The elephants that were in the circus would trot through the park and this whimsical tribute celebrates that history. The Friends of Goodale Park organization commissioned Malcolm Cochran, who also created the ”Field of Corn” public art display in Dublin, Ohio. 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus 43215, 614/645-3300, columbusrecparks.com/parks/goodale-park


Judy’s Jungle, Mentor 
Go on a safari in northeast Ohio at MT Heat Treat. The steel-heat-treatment center in Mentor has a variety of fiberglass animal statues hiding in the bushes surrounding its property. The “jungle” was started as a joke more than 20 years ago by Judy Matthews and her late husband after a customer remarked that the building’s ceilings seemed tall enough that a giraffe could live inside. Matthews bought three statues and the array grew from there. This eclectic collection runs the gamut of animals, all of which have names like Loganberry the Stegosaurus, Motts the praying mantis and the penguin duo, Fahrenheit and Celsius.  8665 Station St., Mentor 44060


Nation’s Shortest Covered Bridge, Geneva 
Fewer than 12 miles from the Nation’s Longest Covered Bridge in Ashtabula, the World’s Shortest Covered Bridge is found in Geneva. The 18-foot-long traffic-carrying bridge was built from local lumber, as individuals donated logs to be taken to the sawmill. The entire project was a concerted effort across the town. A local mill processed the wood and roofing materials came in as a donation. Students from the Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus built the bridge as part of a hands-on lesson, and the structure is today counted among the county’s 19 covered bridges. 94 W. Liberty St., Geneva 44041, 800/337-6746, visitashtabulacounty.com/covered-bridges


Temple of Tolerance, Wapakoneta 
Hundreds of tons of stone sit on the lawn of the late Jim Bowsher, an artist, philosopher and teacher. The rocks are arranged in a way that notifies onlookers that this isn’t an incidental placement.  The structure of rocks forms what Bowsher calls the “Temple of Tolerance.” Bowsher began building the maze in 1981 with a collection of rock sculptures and carvings, millstones, wrought-iron fences and various other treasures that Bowsher has collected over the years. Bowsher finished the project in 1999 and the result is enjoyed by passersby. 203 S. Wood St., Wapakoneta 45895, 419/738-4472, jimbowsher.com/the-temple-of-tolerance


Topiary Garden, Columbus 
Art comes to life in Columbus, thanks to artist James Mason. The goal was to create art that people could walk into, and his re-creation of Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” does exactly that, with the figures being created completely from plants. Mason and his wife began building the garden in 1988, attempting to get funding from the Motorists Insurance Group to place the Topiary Garden on vacated land near the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Today, 54 figures stand on the green in the shape of people inspired by the famous pointillist painting. 480 E. Town St., Columbus 43215, 614/645-0197

For more Ohio travel inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters. 

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.

More Roadside Ohio: Bizzare Homes | Food Finds | Gravesites, Memorials and Monuments | Larger Than Life | Man-Made Marvels | Unusual Museums and Objects | Wildlife & Natural Wonders