One Of Ohio's Most Scenic Drives Is A Rustic Byway With Welsh Cultural Flair And Countryside Farms

It's no secret that the state of Ohio is rich with culture: after all, the Buckeye State is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, abundant Amish country, and world-class art museums. One aspect of the state's culture you might not have known about is the influence of Welsh immigrants. An influx of immigrants from Wales to southeastern Ohio in the early to mid-19th century settled into rural life and established farming communities in the region. Today, this legacy is perhaps most evident in the Welsh Scenic Byway, which developed under the Ohio Scenic Byways program to preserve what the Welsh-American Heritage Museum describes as the Welsh "cultural and historical imprint on the landscape of Jackson and Gallia counties." Today, this 64-mile byway offers visitors a route full of gorgeous views and fascinating historical offerings, traversing verdant rural scenes as well as Welsh churches, cemeteries, museums, and other historic sites.

The byway begins in the town of Gallipolis, heading northwest before looping south, west, and ultimately north to end in Jackson. Gallipolis, nestled along the Ohio River, is roughly two hours southeast of Columbus and only an hour from Charleston, West Virginia, making a cruise along this byway a great excursion to add to a visit to either city. So pack up the car, load up on snacks for the road, queue up some driving tunes (might we recommend these one-hit wonders from the '70s that belong on every road trip playlist?), and hit the open road for a fun and rustic adventure.

You've probably heard of Bob Evans, the popular restaurant chain known for its country-style eats and all-day breakfast offerings. For a vastly different experience, pause on your byway journey for a tasty and interesting stop at the Bob Evans Farm, which, as the name suggests, is where the man himself lived with his family before he founded the breakfast-food empire we know today. The farm offers a dose of countryside culture well worth checking out, as well as ample history: numerous historical sites sit on the property, like an old schoolhouse, reconstructed cabins, and even a cemetery dating back to the Revolutionary War. Arguably the best part of a visit, though, is a meal at the on-site Bob Evans Restaurant before you get back on the road.

Elsewhere along the byway, you'll pass other notable landmarks along with cultural and historic sites. These include Raccoon Creek, "a spot where frontiersman Daniel Boone is said to have hunted and trapped," according to Ohio Magazine, and the Welsh-American Heritage Museum. Housed in a historic 19th-century Welsh church building in Oak Hill, the museum contains a collection of artifacts, newspaper clippings, books, archival photos, and other materials that document the rich Welsh cultural influence in this part of Ohio, and stopping off here is a prime way to gain a deeper understanding of the region you're driving through on the Welsh Scenic Byway. And if, after your time driving this scenic byway, you're newly enamored with Welsh culture, perhaps there's a trip to Cymru (the Welsh word for Wales) on the cards, to experience the mountain views of its largest national park, magnificent medieval castles, and even a chance to spot dolphins.