While you are in town for the National Waco Club Reunion, there are many other interesting sights to see in and around Mount Vernon.
Schnormeier Gardens – www.schnormeiergardens.org
Built in 1996, there are over fifty acres of manicured lawns, ten lakes, a variety of discrete garden areas and several waterfalls. The gardens have a distinct Asian flavor and feature a variety of plantings rich in color. The focal point is a spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home. Other structures include a Japanese teahouse, garden house, Chinese pavilion and arched bridge.
Ariel-Foundation Park – www.arielfoundationpark.org
The park is a stunning 250-acre example of adaptive reuse, created on the former site of a glass-making factory. It offers architectural ruins, lakes, observation tower, walking trails, steel sculptures, a museum, and connections to both the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail.
Explore the historic district in Mt. Vernon – www.woodlandlegacy.net/touring-hisorical-mount-vernon-ohio.html
Mount Vernon, Ohio is a city immersed in historical significance. The city draws its name from the Virginia birthplace of George Washington but carries its own historical significance. The town is home to four different historic districts, all set around the center of the city, as well as several historical buildings. A great way to experience these districts is to wander around the various sectors and stumble upon some interesting history.
The Fountain of Dogs – www.mvnu.edu/south-main-plaza/southmainplaza-smpdesign/
The dog fountain was installed in the fall of 2019 as part of the restorations of downtown historic Mt. Vernon. The fountain is in South Main Plaza, and was created to be a family-friendly community space. 18 different dog breeds are represented, each one with its eye on the golden bone in the middle.
Knox County Historical Society/Museum – www.knoxhistory.org
This is a private not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation of Knox County’s history. Organized March 22, 1966, the Society exists to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving, and sharing history. Genealogical services are also offered.
Shop Local at the Farmers Market – Every Saturday 9am-12pm – www.visitknoxohio.org/places/mount-vernon-farmers-market
Open from May through October featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, local honey, maple syrup, baked goods and more.
Honey Run Park and Honey Run Waterfall – www.knoxcountyparks.org/parks/honey-run-waterfall
A 20+ acre property that includes a stunning, 25-foot high waterfall. This park, named for the stream, Honey Run, that cascades over the waterfall, is open to the public 365 days a year. The site contains a rare plant community (disjunct boreal habitat more often found in Canada) and unique views of the blackhand sandstone, formed some 350 million years ago.