Drive Into History: Crane Township Tour Celebrates America 250
Crane Township is proud to announce the release of its new self-guided driving history tour, created in conjunction with the nationwide America 250 movement commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This unique and engaging experience offers residents and visitors a chance to explore the rich history of Crane Township at their own pace. The tour highlights significant locations throughout the township, each selected for its role in shaping the community’s story over the past two centuries.
Participants will follow a printed map and booklet that guide them through each stop along the route. While a limited number of printed booklets are available at the Paulding County History Museum and the Paulding County Carnegie Library, the full booklet can also be accessed online at cranetwppcohio.gov, allowing participants to conveniently print their own copy.
Blending past and present, the tour offers a hands-on way to connect with local history while reflecting on the broader American story. From early settlement and transportation routes to community landmarks, each stop invites participants to imagine life in earlier times and appreciate the legacy that continues today.
Although future plans include a GPS-guided version of the tour, the current experience embraces a more traditional approach encouraging participants to navigate using a map, much like travelers of the past.
The tour extends beyond Crane Township, with two stops located in neighboring Carryall Township. As Crane Township concludes its bicentennial celebration, it is proud to recognize Carryall Township as it looks ahead to its own bicentennial in 2029—becoming the second of Paulding County’s twelve townships to reach this milestone. In many ways, this shared history represents a passing of the torch from one community to the next.
In addition, visitors can look forward to new “ghost town” signs that will soon be installed at several tour stops, including Henpeck, Furnace, and Knoxdale, further bringing the township’s early settlements to life.
Whether completed in one trip or explored over time, the driving tour offers a meaningful and memorable way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, right here in Crane Township.
For more information and to download the tour booklet, visit cranetwppcohio.gov.
