Chillicothe was Ohio's first capital, and you can still see the estate that inspired the Ohio state seal: Adena was the Georgian-style mansion of Thomas Worthington, Ohio's sixth governor. The Ross County Historical Society (housed in several residences from the 1800s) includes the historic McClintock residence and the 1901 Craftsman-style Franklin House. The society's museum features exhibits from the Civil War and World War I. It also displays Native American artifacts and prehistoric items. (The museum is open January-March by appointment only.)
North of Chillicothe is the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park (formerly known as the Mound City Group National Monument). It contains 24 burial mounds that were part of a vast network built by the Native Americans who occupied the area more than 2,000 years ago. Another area attraction related to Native American culture is the outdoor drama Tecumseh!, which chronicles the famous Shawnee chief's efforts to rally North American tribes against encroaching settlers.
To the south and east of Chillicothe are several units of Wayne National Forest. With its pretty fall foliage and blooming dogwoods in the spring, it's a great place for hiking—especially along the Ohio View Trail—and the canoeing and fishing aren't bad, either. Chillicothe is 160 mi/260 km southwest of Cleveland.
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