By Carol Chroust
To celebrate Main Street, USA, visit southern Ohio! Five county seats, from Central Ohio into the Appalachian foothills, represent small town Midwestern America at its best. Georgetown, Hillsboro, Washington Court House, West Union and Wilmington are preserving their history, enjoying the present and looking to the future.

    The heart of each community and county is the city square with a grand old courthouse in the center. Traffic courses heavily around and through the main streets of these small, but vibrant towns as people go about their daily routines. They travel to and from the workplace, stop and shop along the streets and wave at their friends and neighbors. If they see a familiar face along the sidewalk, they may even park their vehicle on the square, get out and visit. While life isn’t always at a slow pace anymore, in Southern Ohio, there’s always time to say hello and be friendly.
   Many buildings are preserved that reflect the history and development of the region. With dozens of buildings, businesses and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, each county’s history is preserved and becomes an integral part of identity, tourism and daily life. While Hillsboro has the oldest still-in-use courthouse in the state, West Union’s Olde Wayside Inn is Ohio’s oldest inn still in operation. The West Union United Presbyterian church is Ohio’s oldest church still being used as a church.
   Early settlers came here by way of valiant frontiersmen like Simon Kenton and brave regular folks who persevered, survived in Indian Territory and made a life in a new territory. Southern Ohio’s roots go back to the very beginning when the state was just opening up. In Adams County, there is the oldest documented building in Ohio beside the Zane’s Trace road that opened in 1797.
   Along the main streets and courthouse square, shops, businesses and homes were built, often with a special focus on appearance to attract business, customers and passersby. Living very much in the present, old and new shops, stores, businesses and eating establishments meet the needs of residents and people traveling through the bustling communities.
   Lively communities like Wilmington and Washington Court House paint their history proudly on downtown murals. Beautiful parks and flowers in the five counties add color and reflect the care and pride for home, business and community.
   Georgetown features the Land of Grant and civil war history with teas, balls, celebrations and reenactments. The visitor can experience the feeling of greatness that evolved with President Ulysses S. Grant as they visit his boyhood home and school.
   Historic old theatres were revived, restored and are operating in Wilmington, Hillsboro and Georgetown. Washington Court House’s grand and spectacular Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and features a famous Archibald M. Willard mural inside.
   Whatever your taste and pleasure, you can find it in southern Ohio. The area is extraordinary with so many remarkable things to see and experience. The countryside is beautiful, the people are friendly and helpful and the towns have so much to offer. Spend time, explore, relax and discover the beauty of Main Street in southern Ohio!