Circleville Travel Guide

Karen and I were in Circleville at lunchtime on a Sunday and decided to check out this downtown restaurant. From the outstide it looked like a favorite local eatery, and perhaps it is. But upon entering the place I almost turned around and left. There is a small dining room in the front for non-smokers, but the main part of the restaurant, with much more comfortable looking booths and windows, was the smoking section. In this enlightened age I can't imagine why they don't reverse it and stick the smokers in the small, less comfortable room.

I voiced my opinion to the hostess, and we stayed for lunch in the non-smoking section.

The prices were good. The service was a little slow - but then they did have the "after church crowd" there.

Favorite Dish: Karen had a chicken salad sandwich which she said was not as good as my homemade chicken salad - but then she always says that. I ordered an open-faced hot roast beef sandwish with mashed potatoes and gravey. It was okay.

Since 1903 Circleville has hosted an annual Pumpkin Show. The four-day event is always held the third Wednesday through Saturday in October, which is at or near the peak of the fall foilage season. It is one of Ohio's longest standing festivals.

The Circleville Pumpkin Show is highlighted by a parade and the crowning of Miss Pumpkin Queen. There are many other special activities and attractions throughout the four day celebration. Also, there is lots of delicious pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Festival Office
159 East Franklin Street
Circleville, Ohio 43113

Favorite thing: More than a thousand years before Columbus' historic voyage to the Americas, the land that is now Pickaway County had already been settled, occupied, and then mysteriously abandoned by the Hopewell Culture of Mound Builders. When the American Indians followed later, and ultimately the European settlers, they found mounds throughout the area, some of which were burial mounds.

The earliest recorded history of Pickaway County goes back to 1774 when Lord Dunmore led an army into the Ohio Valley and waged war with the Indians. After many battles and countless deaths on each side of the conflict a meeting to draw up a truce was held on the Pickaway Plains, under a huge Elm tree with branches spreading 120 feet around. During this meeting, Mingo Indian Chief Logan delivered a speech which has been translated into many languages. Widely known as "Logan's Lament," is is considered to be one of the most eloquent speeches ever delivered.

Pickaway County

Logan's Lament