4 Historic Places to Visit Near Liberty Township and West Chester

The Liberty Township and West Chester areas have a rich history, dating back to the 1780s when a group of 11 families colonized an area along the Licking River and named it "Cincinnati," which means "city opposite the river." If you'd like to know a bit more about the history of this place you call home, we recommend visiting the following four historical sites.

1. Fort Ancient State Memorial
6123 St Rt 350
Oregonia
21 miles from Springs at Liberty Township

At this historical site, you'll see ceremonial mounds left by the indigenous Native Americans, as well as a museum filled with relics such as stone tools and bones. Learn about the first people who settled in Ohio after following buffalo into the region, and how they later transitioned to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. There are also 2.5 miles of hiking trails to traverse, along with a picnic area where you can enjoy a quiet lunch. Admission is $7 for adults for the museum, while access to the park area is free.

2. William Howard Taft National Historic Site
2038 Auburn Ave
Cincinnati
20 miles from Springs at West Chester

This Greek Revival home is where William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, spent his childhood. Inside the Taft Education Center, you'll learn about the life and legacy of President Taft before taking a tour of the home itself. Admission to the historic site is free, and the site is open every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

3. The Betts House
416 Clark St
Cincinnati
25 miles from Springs at Liberty Township

Built in 1804, this brick home on the West End is the oldest house in the state of Ohio. It was opened to the public in 1996, and inside you can see a variety of exhibits showcasing what life was like in Cincinnati throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The Construction for Kids exhibit encourages children to use construction tools and blueprints to design their own model homes. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children, and the home is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

4. Harrison Tomb State Memorial
2 Cliff Rd
North Bend, OH
32 miles from Springs at West Chester

Visit Harrison Tomb State Memorial, where you can see the burial place of the 9th United States President, William Henry Harrison, and learn about his life before and after his presidency. It was Harrison's dream to be buried at this site on Mount Nebo, and his wife, Anna, son, John Scott, along with many other family members are buried with him in the vault.

When you're finished at the tomb and museum, look down over the Ohio River Valley and enjoy the panoramic view of forests and rapidly moving water. Admission is free, and the tomb is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Have you visited any of these historical sites near Liberty Township and West Chester? Are there other sites you'd recommend for our readers who love history? Let us know in the comments below!