Top Ten Reasons to Visit Chillicothe, Ohio
by Sarah J. Skillings, Cedarville University

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10. Yoctangee Park
9. The Paints
8. Grandview Cemetery
7. Ross County Historical Society
6. Pump House Center for Arts
5. Adena State Memorial
4. Majestic Theater
3. Hopewell National Historic Park
2. Tecumseh, the Outdoor Drama
1. The First Capital of Ohio

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10. Yoctangee ParkThe crown jewel of Chillicothe's park system, Yoctangee Park is 48 acres located in downtown adjacent to the Historical First Capital District. The crown jewel of Chillicothe's park system, Yoctangee Park is 48 acres located in downtown adjacent to the Historical First Capital District. This is a community park for both active and passive enjoyment. Amenities include: softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, one of the best playgrounds in southern Ohio, shelter houses, restroom facilities, and picnic areas.
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9. The Paints The Chillicothe Paints Professional Baseball Association, Inc. is a member of the top Single A, Independent League in the country, the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League fields teams in cities throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri and Ontario, Canada. The Chillicothe Paints, the charter member of the Frontier League since 1993, make their home at V.A. Memorial Stadium.
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8. Grandview Cemetery Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Grandview Cemetery, sits atop a hill, overlooking the downtown lights of Chillicothe. Many famous people, including Thomas Worthington, Edward Tiffin, and William Allen, all of whom were former Ohio governors, are buried in the cemetery.
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{short description of image} 7. Ross County Historical Society The Ross County Historical Society was founded in 1896 to commemorate the centennial of the founding of Chillicothe, Ohio and to preserve and promote the study of the history of the city, Ross County and the surrounding region. The RCHS conducts educational programs for people of all ages, saves and preserves for posterity historical artifacts and documents, and operates three museums and a library.
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6. Pump House Center for Arts The Pump House Center for the Arts is an art gallery and gift shop now, but by the 1970s it had fallen into such disrepair that the city officials were going to demolish what was a beautiful, ornate and highly unusual piece of architecture. In the mid-1980s it was saved from the wrecking ball by artists and preservationists. The building was restored to its current beautiful state and transformed into an art gallery and community art center that thrives today.
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5. Adena State Memorial Adena was the 5,000 acre estate of Thomas Worthington (1773-1827), sixth governor of Ohio and our state's first United States Senator. The mansion house, completed in 1807, is furnished today with antiques of the federal period, some of which belonged to Thomas Worthington himself. Situated on the 300 remaining acres are five out-buildings and the formal gardens. Looking east from the north lawn, one can see across the Scioto River Valley to the Mount Logan range of hills. This view is depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio.
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4. Majestic Theater Located in downtown Chillicothe, the 144 year old Majestic Theater has never in its history ceased operations, and thereby earns its claim to fame as the nations oldest continuously operating Theater. Featured programming includes community theatre plays, plus local and regional performing artists.
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3. Hopewell National Historic Park This historic park contains nationally significant archeological resources including large earthwork and mound complexes that provide an insight into the social, ceremonial, political, and economic life of the Hopewell people. After the United States entry into World War I, the Indian burial mounds were leveled in order to build Camp Sherman, an army training camp. The park visitor center features museum exhibits, an orientation film, book sales area, and self-guided and guided summer tours.
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2. Tecumseh, the Outdoor Drama“Tecumseh!” has been labeled as one of the most mesmerizing dramas in the nation. The huge outdoor stages of the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre afford the audience a unique viewing experience. Often emulated within the outdoor drama industry, “Tecumseh!” continues to set the standard for innovative production techniques. Over 100 people are involved each summer in bringing this exciting drama to life. The sites and sounds of natural elements serve to heighten this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.
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 {short description of image} 1. First Capital of Ohio In 1793, Nathaniel Massie discovered an area of land between the Scioto River and Paint Creek. This is where Massie eventually founded a town. The settlers came in 1796 and founded Chillicothe, a name based on the Shawnee word Cheelakawtha, meaning "town" or "settlement" or "gathering place." The county of Ross was formed in 1798, with Chillicothe as the county seat, which made the filing and recording of deeds easier. Finally, in 1800, the territory was split and Chillicothe became the capital of the eastern part, paving the way for statehood. Ohio was born in Chillicothe in 1803, and Chillicothe became Ohio's first capital.
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