With dramatic scenery, state parks, sanctuaries, nature preserves, caves and lakes, this beautiful county was named Highland because it was on high land and the “topography was hilly and divides the watersheds of the Little Miami and Scioto Rivers.” In 1807, Hillsboro was constructed to be the county seat of Highland County. With two separate railroad lines, by the 1880s, the town was a center of manufacturing and agricultural business and trade.

    The town developed around the 1834 Greek Revival, Federal style Highland County Court House. On the National Register of Historic Places, it is the oldest courthouse in Ohio that is still continuously in use.
   Across the street from the court house is the Colony Theatre. The downtown theatre is being refurbished and offers an active schedule all year with family entertainment like comedies, talent and holiday shows. It is described as a beautiful old theatre and a part of the landscape of downtown Hillsboro. (thecolonytheater.com)
   Stop in the many interesting and appealing shops and stores, businesses and eating places around the square area and throughout the community. Many are locally owned and operated.
   The community and county resonates with history. The Hillsboro Historic Business District and Main Street Historic District is a nice walking or driving tour. Drive around the community and county and discover the numerous homes and other sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
   Charles Singleton Bell was the resource for many of the registered historic properties: Bell’s first home, Bell Mansion, C.S. Bell Foundry and Showroom and the Bell Opera House.
   The Highland House Museum, a federal style house built in 1844, “houses an extensive collection of furnishings, paintings, clothing, photographs, memorabilia and a year-round gift shop from the area.” It opened the 2009 season featuring its extensive collections “relating to the cultural, historical, farming, arts, pioneer and manufacturing history of Highland County, special displays”. (Open Fri 1-5, Sun 1-4 Memorial Day to Labor Day, November and December, open Fri, Sat, Sun, open during Festival of the Bells)
   Southern State Community College has a full schedule of special events, from “theatrical performances, jazz concerts, world-renowned guest lecturers, art displays and much more. “ The community college also presents its own talent pool for performances, musical, theatrical and exhibitions. Those interested can visit the Southern State website for upcoming events or be placed on a cultural mailing list. (Email or call 1-800-628-7722 ext. 2606). For sports lovers, the community college has athletic events.
   Visit Highland County and tour the beautiful countryside. Cave Canyons Nature Preserve and Ft. Hill State Memorial Nature Preserve are among the most extraordinary places in the state.
   For a special driving tour highlighting many Highland County extraordinary places and beauty spots, the Highland County Convention Visitor’s Bureau is offering a printable scenic driving tour online. (www.highlandcounty.com click on “scenic driving” under “points of interest” on the left hand side of the page).
   The county is also part of the popular Quilt Barn Trail. The quilt barn trails rank very high in tourism and is sparking a resurgence to preserve the barns on which the quilts patterns are painted. (For more information about Highland, Fayette and Ross county Quilt Barn Trails and patterns, go to greenfieldhistoricalsociety.org and click on Quilt Barns.)
   There are special events coming up for Hillsboro. For those who love draft horses, the Southern Ohio Draft Horse Show on September 18-20 is a unique event.
   The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is the downtown Holiday Parade. There will be caroling and the Court House will be lighted and fully decorated.
   The holiday season is a beautiful time to visit Hillsboro and the Highland House Museum with its nice gift shop. The museum will be decorated by member of the museum and eight social clubs. Each club will decorate a tree in one of the rooms in the museum.
   Another unique Highland County upcoming summer event is “Thunder in the Hills”, a hydroplane regatta and the world’s fastest speedboat racers at nearby Rocky Fork Lake.
   Also, plan to attend the popular Festival of the Bells in Hillsboro next summer on July 1,2,3, 2010.
   The Festival, an exciting downtown event with many attractions and top performers, has attracted as many as 20,000 visitors.

If You Go...
Highland County Visitor’s Bureau Address:
1575 North High Street Suite 400
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
Phone: 937-393-4883
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