Page Three of Our Village Walk

Mill House B & B

The Mill House, presently a bed and breakfast, was originally known as Stump's Mill, a steam-powered facility, when it was built around 1900.  Long lines of horse-drawn wagons and cars pulling trailers lined the street as farmers waited their turns to have grain reduced to flour or livestock feed.

Front Street Shopping District

The Shopping District is a surprising example of a restored working Victorian Village where fancy brickwork, elaborate moldings and transom windows are reminders of days gone by.  Just about postcard-perfect, you're able to browse in specialty shops where a selection of fine merchandise awaits you.  If you're hungry, a wide variety of food ranging from fine to casual dining is available.  If ice cream, candy, or espresso coffee is your favorite, that's available too.  The Village Apothecary, built in 1896, has been placed on The National Register of Historic Places.

**Picture from Howard Rutter

In 2002 the Shopping district underwent an overhaul.  New streets and sidewalks were put in.  We added new lights, trees, and landscaping.  At the west end of the project, a new clock and flag pole were added.

Lincoln Street

Lincoln Street Park, a brick lined park where public restrooms, a water fountain, and benches await you, is located in the heart of the business district.  This location also serves as an entryway to the recently beautified canal bank and towpath.

The Towpath Along the Left of Sidecut Canal

Back in the 1830s when talk of constructing the Miami and Erie Canal began, the residents of Gilead learned the canal would follow the Maumee River's north bank.   The townspeople complained bitterly until the State of Ohio built a side-cut feeder canal to service Gilead (Later renamed Grand Rapids) people.   If you give your imagination a workout as you walk the towpath yourself, you can see mules pulling their cargoes along the Gilead Side-Cut leg of the Miami and Erie Canal.

City Park

The City Park once was home to commercial establishments such as general stores and hardwares.  Grain elevators, warehouses and loading docks also lined the canal banks.   A flurry of canal boats loaded and unloaded their cargoes here.  Eventually, the buildings were destroyed and the land was presented to the town for a park.  It provides a natural setting where veterans' groups conduct Memorial Day services each year.

The City Park is also where apple butter is stirred on the second Sunday in October when the Historical Society holds its famous Applebutter Fest.  Up to 70,000 persons fill the village to attend this fest.

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