Auglaize Village

Named for the Defiance Rotary Club, which raised funds for Auglaize Village, the Rotary Office is the main admission gate for the village and includes records kept by the Defiance County Historical Society, a collection of ledgers and photos, and rotation displays.

Originally built in 1875 as St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1875, Chapel of the Crosses was relocated to Auglaize Village in 1968 and is home to numerous artifacts courtesy of area churches.

Built in 1856 by the Toledo Wabash & Western Railroad in Jewell, OH, the Jewell Railroad Station was relocated to Auglaize Village in 1967. Today, the station is home to three steam traction engines — donated by John Harper of New Haven, IN — that operate on a half-mile track encircling the village.

Once standing at the corner of OH-15 and Bowman Road, this bell is all that remains of the structure destroyed by fire. Installed at the Pioneer Cemetery in 1970 by Fred Fauth, the bell contains two striking devices: the clapper strikes a double stroke and calls people to worship, while the tolling hammer strikes a single stroke tolling the age of a congregant who had passed away.

This small plot was dedicated when the remains of three or four people were discovered at First Presbyterian Church and reinterred at Auglaize Village.

Built in 1875, the Mark Center Post Office served as a fourth-class post office until Feb. 14, 1972. It was relocated to Auglaize Village in November 1974.

This structure served as Dr. Robert Cameron’s office in Jewell, OH, from 1884 until he relocated to Defiance in 1915. The office was moved to Auglaize Village in 1967 and contains numerous period-accurate medical instruments.

Operated by Ezra W. Warren from 1908-1940 in Jewell, OH, this structure was donated by E.A. Minsel in 1966. The shop includes a traditional red and white pole outside, which notified passing residents that bloodletting was an available service at the shop.

Named for local pioneer and shopkeeper Jacob Myers, this original structure was built on site, opening in spring 1969 and sells souvenirs and candy to village visitors.

Another original structure, the Blacksmith Shop was built by Dale Bennett in May 1974 and houses blacksmithing tools and equipment supplied by local shops, including a rotary hammer, a hand drill press, a bellow-aired forge, and a wooden wheel tire bender.

Donated by Paul Myers in 1966, the Cane Mill features a working sorghum press, through which sorghum cane juices are used to make sorghum molasses.

Donated in 1972 by the Kieffer family of McClure, OH, this log home is representative of life in the 1860s and includes period furniture — including a rope bed — as well as a candle wheel.

Operating for more than 120 years, the Myers Cider Mill produces apple cider onsite, promising the freshest, best-tasting cider available!

Built from local materials, the Ayersville Telephone Company features a turn-of-the-century switchboard originally from Ayersville, OH, offering visitors a glimpse of communication in the early 20^th century.

Built in 1838, this building was originally located along the Miami-Erie Canal in Downtown Defiance. Home to the canal lock keeper until the 1913 flood, the building was relocated to the village in 1970.

This two-story cabin was home to the Kinner family in Highland Township until it was donated by Ralph Kinner in 1973. Built more than 150 years ago, the cabin was reconstructed at the village in 1979 and refurnished in 1980. The Kinner family is still honored with photos hung throughout the home.

Used for refrigeration at the Diehl Brewery in Downtown Defiance, this building was donated by the family of brewery engineer Irel E. Ashbaugh in 1972. Machinery like this revolutionized American industry in the 19^th century and operated 24 hours per day until its replacement in 1968.