History Around Every Corner - Visit Steubenville (2024)

History Around Every Corner - Visit Steubenville (1)

From extraordinary murals to historic sites, the town where Dino Paul Crocetti (the world knows him as superstar Dean Martin) was born has become a premier travel destination. There are also unique shops waiting to be explored and restaurants that satisfy every palate.

By Linda Feagler

Beatty Park, all photos taken by Casey Rearick, unless otherwise noted.

Picture Perfect

Learn why Steubenville is known as “The City of Murals.” Artists from around the country have created an outdoor museum comprised of 25 larger-than-life murals they’ve painted on iconic buildings. Subjects range from “River Reflections,” celebrating the steamboat era to “The Civil War Telegraph Office,” with images of President Abraham Lincoln and Steubenville natives Edwin Stanton, who served as Lincoln’s secretary of war, and telegrapher David Homer Bates. Other murals honor the heroic Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, including two brothers from Steubenville who served in that prestigious group; Mount Pleasant native Fleetwood Walker, the first Black American to play professional baseball and Steubenville pianist Dorothy Sloop, who served as the inspiration for The Ohio State University rock anthem “Hang on Sloopy.”

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Tuskegee Airmen of World War II

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“The Civil War Telegraph Office,” Historic Fort Steuben

Safe and Sound

See how the first surveyors of the land that was to become the Northwest Territory protected themselves from danger at Historic Fort Steuben. Originally erected in 1786 by the First American Regiment, the fully reconstructed stronghold overlooking the Ohio River contains the officers’ quarters, guardhouse, hospital and commissary that offer glimpses of the daily life that the men who opened up this land for settlement endured. Be sure to visit the First Federal Land Office west of the Alleghenies, which is located next to the fort. The 1801 log structure contains a variety of antiques, as well as documents that played a pivotal role in early Ohio history. The Fort offers a scavenger hunt that acquaints kids with some of the artifacts of the 18th century.

The Fort Visitor Center is also part of the 4,900-mile-long Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Administered by the National Park Service and connecting 16 states, the route commemorates the U.S. Army and civilian expedition commanded by Capt. Meriwether Lewis and 2nd Lt. William Clark between 1803 and 1806, which crossed the Continental Divide of the Americas to the Pacific Coast. The Visitor Center houses a permanent exhibit chronicling the expedition that was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and participates in the National Park Service’s Passport Program. Visitors can purchase a passport at the gift shop, have it stamped and collect other stamps at participating sites around the country. Fort Steuben Park also offers a pleasant site for picnic dining by the Veterans Memorial Fountain.

Historic Fort Steuben

To Honor and Remember

Embrace nature’s magnificence while honoring final resting places at Union Cemetery-Beatty Park. Established in 1854 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s lauded as one of the most beautiful in the country. Focal points include the Old Stone Chapel, which dates back to 1892; and the Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 1880s. Walking and hiking trails dot the 99-acre park, which embraces seasonal beauty and affords bird-watching opportunities year-round. Amenities include a picnic pavilion, basketball court and disc golf course. A variety of special events, including nature hikes, historic walking tours and concerts, take place throughout the year.

Palate Pleasers

Whet your appetite at Steubenville’s celebrated eateries which are also steeped in history. Since opening in 1923, the iconic Naples Spaghetti House, now managed by the fourth generation of the Delatore family, has been a favorite gathering place to partake in generous helpings of pasta and poultry entrees. Housed in a former Ohio Power Building constructed in 1936, Froehlich’s Classic Corner Restaurant owners Greg and Deb Froehlich have lovingly preserved much of the structure’s Art Deco design —right down to the lightning bolt emblem on the staircase and the polished aluminum electric symbols on the bar that once graced the company’s reception area. The eclectic menu features salads, seafood, chops and pasta. Any way you slice it, the Original DiCarlo’s Pizza has been the place to go for everyone’s favorite pie since 1945.

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Beatty Park

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Naples Spaghetti House

Shopping Spree

Don’t be surprised if you start humming Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” while stepping inside Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe on Fourth Street. Along with nutcracker ornaments, coloring books and — of course — nutcrackers, the emporium sponsors holiday hikes, hayrides and an annual Nutcracker Story Walk. Other Steubenville shops include Something Special by Sheila, which lives up to its promise with a boutiqueful of baby clothes, bath products, jewelry and seasonal décor. The three-story Antique Warehouse features over 40,000 square feet and 100 dealers ready to help you discover one-of-a-kind finds, ranging from housewares to furniture and toys.

Spiritual Space

Embrace the splendor of architectural wonders that are present in 17 churches dotting the town. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was established in 1792, and the current building dates from 1870. Its Low Gothic architecture includes four vibrant and iridescent Tiffany windows. First Christian Church, one of the oldest churches in Ohio belonging to Disciples of Christ, was built in 1898, and mirrors the architectural styles of pseudo-Romanesque and Gothic design popular in the late 19th century. The pipe organ was installed in 1914 with financial support from steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Other magnificent houses of worship abound, including Westminster Presbyterian Church, constructed in 1914, which features a bronze plaque bearing the names of more than 300 parishioners who served in World Wars I and II, and a baptismal font that was dedicated in 1914. Tours of these churches are available by appointment.

Lunch at the Historic Fort Steuben fountain, Historic Fort Steuben

Down the Road …

Walk in the footsteps of abolitionists in historic Mount Pleasant. Founded in 1803 by an anti-slavery Quaker, the town played a pivotal role in the success of the Underground Railroad in Ohio. Now a National Historic Landmark, it retains much of its antebellum architectural charm. The town features 40 historic buildings constructed before 1865, six of which are museums operated by The Historical Society of Mt. Pleasant. Focal points include the Quaker Ohio Yearly Meeting House, which was built in 1814, and was the first meeting house of its kind built this side of the Allegheny Mountains. Also see the Benjamin Lundy House where Lundy organized the first anti-slavery society in Ohio, and the Free Labor Store, which only sold items that were not raised or made by slave labor. Tours of the meeting house and other museums, as well as an historical walking tour, are available by reservation. The town’s annual Open House and Garden Tour is scheduled for the first weekend in August.

Savor home-cooked delights — including prime rib, fettuccine and pan-seared salmon — at The Farm Restaurant and Pub in Adena that’s housed in a charming white farmhouse constructed in 1856. Sit back and relax at Black Sheep Vineyard, also in Adena. Proprietors John and Rebecca Black opened the winery — named after the sheep farm it once was — in the rolling hills of Ohio in 2008. They’re known for their handcrafted reds, whites and rosés accompanied by charcuterie boards featuring selections from Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno.

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Steel Mill Mural

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Fountain near Historic Fort Steuben

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Historic Fort Steuben

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Historic Fort Steuben

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Land Office

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Naples Spaghetti House

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Drosselmeyer's Nutcracker Shoppe, Historic Fort Steuben

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Antique Warehouse

More to See & Do

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History Around Every Corner - Visit Steubenville (2024)

FAQs

What is Steubenville, Ohio famous for? ›

Steubenville, Ohio, "the heart of the workshop of the world," famous for iron, steel, tin, glass, pottery, paper, coal, oil, gas and fire clay.

What is the oldest church in Steubenville Ohio? ›

Holy Name Cathedral (Steubenville, Ohio)

Why is Steubenville called Steubenville? ›

Steubenville is where Ohio began. Settlers moved into this region, known as the Seven Ranges, in 1786, after a fort was built along the banks of the Ohio River. It was named after Major-General Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, a Prussian soldier who supported the American Revolution.

What is the ethnicity of Steubenville Ohio? ›

Steubenville Demographics

White: 77.1% Black or African American: 13.44% Two or more races: 6.05% Asian: 1.68%

What celebrity is from Steubenville, Ohio? ›

Steubenville, Ohio, may be known as the City of Murals, but its other great claim to fame may be bragging rights as the birthplace of legendary singer and actor Dean Martin.

What singer was from Steubenville, Ohio? ›

Long before Dean Martin joined the Rat Pack, he grew up in Steubenville as Dino Crocetti. Each year, the eastern Ohio city honors his Ohio roots with a festival. The city hosts Dean Martin impersonators, trolley rides to significant sites of the singer's childhood and even a Dino Dash 5k.

Who was the first bishop of Steubenville? ›

In March 1945, Msgr. John King Mussio, chancellor of the Cincinnati Archdiocese, was announced the first bishop of Steubenville. At 42, he would become the youngest bishop in the country. He arrived in Steubenville May 22 and was met by thousands of people in a parade through downtown Steubenville.

What is the oldest Catholic church in Ohio? ›

Fr. Fenwick dedicated the original Saint Joseph Church on Dec. 6, 1818. A log structure measuring 22 feet long and 15 feet wide, it was the first Catholic church building in Ohio.

What was the oldest church in America? ›

San Miguel Chapel, is a Spanish colonial mission church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Originally built around 1610, it is often referred to as the oldest church building in the continental United States. The church was rebuilt twice, once in the mid to late 17th century, and again in 1710 following the Pueblo Revolt.

How many unsolved murders in Steubenville Ohio? ›

The Steubenville police chief and Jefferson County prosecutor confirmed there are at least 21 open -- but unsolved -- homicide cases in Steubenville alone. Some as recent as this year -- others dating back to the 1980s.

What happened at Steubenville? ›

The Steubenville High School rape occurred in Steubenville, Ohio, on the night of August 11, 2012, when a high school girl, incapacitated by alcohol, was publicly and repeatedly sexually assaulted by her peers, several of whom documented the acts on social media.

What happened to the boys of Steubenville? ›

But the boys were sentenced: Trent was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention, Ma'Lik was sentenced to nine months, and Ma'Lik got out and finished high school.

What are some fun facts about Steubenville Ohio? ›

The first Merino sheep in the United States were brought here by Bezaleel Wells in 1814. The first woolen mill in the United States was built in Steubenville by Wells in 1815. The Steubenville Female Seminary operated from 1829-1898 and graduated over 5,000 women from its academy.

What is the poverty rate in Steubenville Ohio? ›

27.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Steubenville, OH (4.56k out of 16.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%.

What is the crime rate in Steubenville Ohio? ›

Steubenville Annual Crimes
ViolentTotal
Number of Crimes29645
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)1.6135.77

What happened in Steubenville Ohio? ›

The Steubenville High School rape occurred in Steubenville, Ohio, on the night of August 11, 2012, when a high school girl, incapacitated by alcohol, was publicly and repeatedly sexually assaulted by her peers, several of whom documented the acts on social media.

Which entertainer was born in Steubenville Ohio on June 7 1917? ›

Dean Martin (born June 7, 1917, Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.—died December 25, 1995, Beverly Hills, California) was an American singer and actor who was a member, with Jerry Lewis, of one of the most popular comedy teams on stage and television and in motion pictures for 10 years.

What percent of Steubenville is Catholic? ›

Statistics
YearCatholicsPercent Catholic
201439,8007.2%
201735,2326.8%
202030,1996.1%
202229,6246.1%
14 more rows

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