Enjoy a self guided scenic drive through Southern Darke County to learn more about Ithaca and Beech Grove. The tour planned by the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society highlights points of interest giving a glimpse of times long ago.
Ithaca was the first settlement to prosper in Twin Township serving as a trading center for what is now southern Darke County. When platted in 1832 by John Colville Ithaca was known as Twinsborough taking its name from Twin Creek. State Route 503 was known as Ithaca Pike, before that it was a trace used by Gen. Anthony Wayne marching north from Ft. Washington (Cincinnati) through Ithaca, Beech Grove to Ft. Jefferson and on to Greenville.
Beech Grove was a settlement at the intersection of what is today Hollansburg Arcanum Rd and St. Rt. 503. The cemetery stones give the names of the Karn family and their friends who came from Butler County in the mid 1800s to start a community where their lives centered around the German Reformed Church.
A display at the Arcanum Public Library shows photos of structures still in uses, gives the history and interesting facts about the buildings located in both Ithaca and Beech Grove.
Pick up a brochure at the Historical Society, Arcanum Library, Darke County Visitors Bureau, Garst Museum or download from the Historical Society website: www.arcanumhistoricalsociety.org.
Enjoy the drive and the history of the area.
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