TOUR AMERICA 2022, SAUDER VILLAGE CAMPGROUND, ARCHBOLD, OHIO

Sunday, August 8, 2022

Temperature 91 Degrees, Overcast, Rain Showers

Sauder Historic Village

Today was the Great Exodus. Let me explain. The campground has a total of 85 sites and by Friday evening all but 2 were occupied. Today, all but about 10 are occupied this afternoon. It was something to see everyone leave. One by one they made their way around the loop and out the exit road. But you know what? The same thing will no doubt happen again next weekend.

OK, let’s go back to the Village.

One of the most amazing buildings on the grounds is the Museum. It was 5 large exhibit rooms and you could easily spend a full day taking in all the fascinating and informative exhibits it has to offer. We spent about 2 hours here and I know we missed so much. After awhile you just go in to what I call overload.

Let me share with you just a bit of the fascinating things I discovered. In the area of communication I came across these interesting facts.

I challenge you to try and find a pay phone today. Hey, I actually know where there is one. Believe it or not there was one in the campground at the International Peace Gardens campground. And yes, it was in working order.

Talk about a resourceful person. George must have really wanted to create that first switchboard considering the objects he used to make it.

Can you imagine anyone today waiting 10 hours for their cell phone to charge! Not to mention its limited use and its crazy price.

In the exhibit Improving Your Home

Can’t afford a full tub, then how about a tin hip bath? Hey, it even has a cup holder!

In the exhibit of Ways We Move

Wow! I believe I’ll stick to driving Elvira.

OK, how about riding a horse?

How about that I never thought about the drawbacks of using a horse.

No museum in the Village would be complete without an entire room dedicated to

The Sauder story and an exhibition of some of its furniture. The panel above is just one of about 24 that tells the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, and the numerous innovations that is Sauder. The story is absolutely fascinating and I was delighted to learn about the man and the company he formed and went on to build

Well, like I said the museum is immense and one could easily spend the better part of a day there but we need to be on our way.

We’re moving on now to a new section of the village known as 1920’s Main Street. But before we walk Main Street lets stop and have a little fun.

There is a miniature train that runs around the perimeter of the Historic Village and the kid in me was not going to pass this up. All aboard!

Back from our train ride and the first building we see is

Anyone know what this company is famous for? Well, first a bit of history. This company was founded by Henry Winzeler who opened a dental practice in Archbold. Eight years later he made a career change and started a company to manufacture picture frames. Eventually they began to make children’s toys, the most famous being – ready for it – the Etch A Sketch! I know I once had one and had a ball with it. How about you?

Moving on, we’ll now visit some of the shops on Main Street.

In the 1900’s the barbershop was usually the gathering place for men in the community. Ladies were gently reminded that this was not a place for them.

Often times the barbershop was located near the train depot. Train employees and sometimes gentlemen travelers departing the train would often need a means of “freshening up” therefore the barbershop usually had a section in the back for bathing.

The hardware store offered a little bit of everything in terms of tools, modern appliances, and materials for almost any home or farmstead need. It also offered toys and books and dollhouses for the kids. Not to mention it also offered something the large box stores don’t offer today, it offered home town hospitality. I remember we had a store similar to this in our little town and whenever you went to the store to get something you received a warm greeting and service with a smile.

This is an example of a 1900’s green grocery store. It offered basic staples to meet everyday needs beyond meat and fish such as vegetables, cheeses, bread and prepackaged foods.

Have you every had this before? This is a brand of carbonated beverage that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It is considered Maine’s official state beverage. I have no idea what it tastes like ,though, I’ve read that it tastes something like root beer but with a bitter aftertaste. I believe I’ll pass on it. Oh, and yes it is still sold today.

This is the local post office which was often found in the grocery store. I’ll take a loaf of bread, a box of cereal and a book of stamps, please.

This was a great place to take a break and watch some film clips of silent films. I watched and wondered how in the world they did some of the stunts. They really had everyone laughing in the theater.

This is where we ended our final day. They offered home made ice cream and I was not about to pass it up. Oh, it was so delicious and they were so generous in the portions they offered.

Our time in the Village has come to an end. There is more there that I was not able to include in the blog. But I’ve covered the majority of the Village. We didn’t do it in 3 hours, it didn’t take us 2 weeks, instead it took us 2 days and we could have spend a 3rd day there if they had only offered a weekly pass. We had a delightful time, especially watching the various guides show us how things were made way back then. Life was definitely different back in the 1800’s and the 1900’s and quite truthfully I’m glad I’m living in the 21st Century.

Let me encourage you if you have a “bucket list” of places you would like to visit put Sauder Village on that list. It is a great place to visit and learn. In addition they have two great ways to stay – a room at the Inn or a site at the Campground. We’re glad we made the trip here.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.