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A Journey to the Heights at Walnut Creek

This journey will start in Wilmot, Ohio, at the intersection of US 250 and 62, in the southwestern corner of Stark County. If we follow US 62 west from there into Holmes County, for a short 0.2 miles, there is the sprawling Amish Door Market and Village, with its gift shop, hotel, and restaurant. For the more modern end of the Amish experience, this is worth a stop. Then if we travel further west on 62, over the winding road and open countryside, there are farmer’s markets, homemade baskets for sale, a bicycle shop, a floor design establishment, and advertisements for Amish dolls. After 4.4 miles, Winesburg comes up, with several church buildings, a general store, three or four antique shops, gift shops, and several bed and breakfast opportunities. From Winesburg, angle further west to follow 62, and after one additional mile, take Ohio 515 south through Trail. Along the way there are several businesses, including a farm selling fresh eggs, a sewing machine store, a cycle shop, and Yoder’s Amish Home, which lies a total of 8.1 miles from our original starting point in Wilmot.

Farther south on 515, the location that I chose for the truck-buggy crash comes up, and after a steep and winding route, the community of Walnut Creek sits at the top of its hill. There are several fun shops and restaurants, a chocolate shop, and a bakery here, but be sure also to pull into the top parking lot for Der Dutchman and park at the railing at the back of the lot. This vantage point offers vistas of the picturesque “Goose Bottoms” lowlands. The Carlisle Hotel is worth a look, and for more modern accommodations, there is the Wallhouse Hotel, at the intersection of 515 and Ohio 39.

From here it is possible to turn around and retrace the route back to Wilmot. Or one can head west on 39 toward Berlin (pronounced BUR-lun since World War II). I don’t recommend a trip through Berlin, since it is so completely overrun with commercialism. Instead, before 39 takes you into Berlin, turn north on Holmes County 77, which comes up 14.0 miles after the start in Wilmot. The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center is located 1.0 mile after the turn from 39 onto 77, and this is a good place to visit. After this, head north again on 77, and turn east on US 62 to go back to Wilmot. As in all of Holmes County’s Amish country, more interesting shops will appear along the way.