George W. Davis
In a few weeks, the small community of Apple Creek in Wayne County will be lit up with its colorful annual display of foliage for visitors to admire and welcome fall. The village also has great projects going on to benefit the community, especially the children.
Location
Apple Creek is just 6 miles southeast of Wooster, the county seat, on busy US 250, and is bordered by Fredericksburg, Mount Eaton, Kidron, Mount Hope, Dalton, Orrville, and Smithville. Police Chief Matthew Estacion said the village was only about 0.6 square miles.
Mayor Rodney Mackey said, “Route 250 is a busy road through the city. We have a lot of people going through town. And when the fall colors come out, come down here and have a good time checking things out.
The sidewalks connect old and new sections of downtown to facilitate walking and sightseeing for those inclined to tour the community on foot, he said.
Story
Apple Creek was formed from two colonies. Several Scots-Irish families settled in the area in 1817 and organized a Presbyterian church in what became East Union Township of Wayne County. Fifteen years later, William Thomas and John Cheney founded and founded the village of Edinburgh. Two decades later, the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus Railroad began purchasing land crossing 250 in 1854. The line was taken over by the Pennsylvania Railroad and later abandoned.
John Hindman laid the first platform in the village, which he called Apple Creek Station. He built two grocery stores, a post office and a blacksmith shop, a boarding house and other structures. In 1877 the leaders decided to incorporate the village of Apple Creek.
Historical sites
- Mayor Mackey said the village has only one Civil War Medal of Honor recipient: William Knight. A replica of a soldier with a bronze plaque honoring Knight stands in a small park next to City Hall at 63 E. Mill St. According to Mackey, Knight was honored for slipping behind enemy lines April 12, 1862 and captured a locomotive named The General. with other Union soldiers. As an engineer, Knight led Confederate troops on an 87-mile pursuit before being captured. He escaped from prison and returned to the Union Army.
- Another historical landmark was the Apple Creek State Institute, later known as the Apple Creek Developmental Center at 2532 S. Apple Creek Road. Established in 1949, the facility provided mental health and addictions care until its final closure in 2006 and subsequent demolition.
Strong points
- The biggest project in many years at Apple Creek is the new single campus Southeast Local Schools complex, which is expected to be open by the start of classes in 2024 and eliminate six buildings. Excavation began in June behind Waynedale High School on Dover Road. According to district treasurer Mark Dickerhoof, the ground could be opened up for construction of the 170,000 square foot complex to begin this year if all goes well.
The structure is designed for 1,250 students, with each school having its own wing next to the new high school. Dickerhoof said much of the funding will come from the Rover Natural Gas Pipeline, which runs through Wayne County from West Virginia and Michigan for a total of 710 miles with its hub in Ontario, Canada. The project is estimated at $49 million. The school district is awaiting a decision on an appeal regarding the addition of kindergarten and pre-K learning to the new complex.
Once the project is complete and classes are underway, several schools will be demolished since some are over 100 years old, Dickerhoof said. The schools to be replaced are: Mount Eaton, Apple Creek, Fredericksburg and Holmesville elementary schools; JR Lea Middle School and Waynedale High School.
- Another highlight coming up on October 8th and 9th is the Wayne County Farm Bureau Farm Tour, which is a driving tour of seven farms and businesses between noon and 5 p.m. each day to see what’s going on and enjoy the food, drink, and sights at each stop. Those hosting the event include: 3D meats14740 Lincoln Way E. Dalton; Skylar Creek Farm12853 Bair Road, Orrville; Orrville Railway Heritage Society with Patrick Farms145 Depot Street, Orrville; Bristol Dairy, 6818 Coal Bank Road, Marshallville; Rittman Orchards13548 Mount Eaton Road N., Doylestown; Stoller Organic Dairy Products, 10451 Eby Road, Sterling; and coconut kernel6113 Sterling Road, Sterling, which will be closed on Sundays.
- The Apple Creek Historical Society at 185 Church St. came to life in 2004 when work began on a new barn-style structure to house all the memorabilia and artifacts collected by members of the society. The Apple Creek Library is open, but work continues on other segments of the project to help residents and visitors learn more than family history and genealogy.
Past President Gary Rogers said, “After 18 years with the help of volunteers and donations, we are still in the construction process and 95% complete. We aspire to make the building a community and learning center to support the Apple Creek Librarywhich focuses on life in East Union Township.
He added that a banquet hall that can accommodate 110 people was completed earlier this year on the second floor and can be rented. The genealogy room on the top floor will have 60 databases when complete. Classes are taught including 3D printing, router, laser and computer techniques for making signs, cutting shapes, and how to use woodworking equipment. Outside is a circa 1830 two-story log cabin for nature programs when completed by the Amish.
“It was by God’s blessing and direction that this happened,” Rogers said. “This is very much a community project by people who have donated one way or another.” To arrange tours, visitors should call either Ken Thomas at 330-264-7677; new president Mike Buss at 330-749-5240; or Rogers at 330-201-1745.
Entertainment and catering
- When it comes to fun in and around Apple Creek, Mayor Mackey suggests a walk on the From rail to trails or the Heartland Trail crossing the village. Among those he chatted with this summer was a mother and daughter hiking from Cincinnati, “and we had a great conversation.
- Another fun place nearby is Putt-N-Stuff at 134 S. Kansas Road in Orrville, where mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, and batting cages are available.
- As for meals, Mackey was quick to recommend a visit to Pantry of the house of Troyer at 668 W. Main St. where baked goods and coffee go together like love and marriage. Started on a small farm near Apple Creek in the early 1960s, Abe and Sarah Troyer were raising chickens and selling eggs on a retail circuit when, to supplement their income, Sarah began improving and perfecting old family recipes for baked goods. They moved the business to its current location in 1974 with the goal of providing customers with the tastiest pies, rolls, cakes, cookies, bread and more. Visit the website: Troyershomepantry.com.
- East Union Bulk Foods at 9089 E. Lincoln Way (formerly US 30) has been serving families from multiple counties since 1983, when Christian Schlabach opened his store in 1939 and three expansions have taken place since. Now, grandson Jake Schlabach is the owner-partner, providing store-made baked goods as well as fresh local deli meats from area farmers and cheeses made locally and across the country.
- The golden bear The ice cream shop at 546 W. Main St. offers service from walk-in windows and drive-thru, owners Nikki and Matt Smith said. The business opened in 1968 and took over in 2020. L’Ours d’or offers a wide range of catering products, with original recipes and improved dishes ranging from burgers and coney dogs to fillets of chicken, wraps, and “our own homemade hand-dipped ice cream.” “, said Matt Smith. The couple had their eyes on the dairy of more than 20 employees for two years “before pulling the trigger”. A picnic shelter was installed outside this year , but most business is take-out, he said.
- The barn restaurant at 877 W. Main St., Smithville, is a converted barn with dining and banquet rooms and an acclaimed country kitchen plus several shops. See website at thebarnrest.com.
Apple Creek
Based: 1877
Population: 1192 at the 2020 census
Municipality website: [email protected]
School district: Southeast Local Schools
Department website: http://southeast.k12.oh.us
Mascot: golden bear