Sugarcreek, Ohio is such a small town you could easily miss it. At 3.79 square miles and a population of 2,100, many tourists visit to see its large, Swiss cuckoo clock in the center of downtown and Alpine architecture. Known for its production of cheeses, Sugarcreek hosts its annual Ohio Swiss Festival in September, with food, music and games.
Sugarcreek (initially East Shanesville) was first settled in 1814 by the Amish making it the “Gateway to Amish Country.” As immigrants from Switzerland began arriving in the 1830s, they partnered with the Amish to produce cheeses. After several cheese factories began to open around town, Sugarcreek soon became known as “Little Switzerland” and began a thriving tourist business in the early 1970s.
,The town was also known for its steam engine passenger train which operated under the Ohio Central Railroad transporting guests from Sugarcreek to Baltic. Unfortunately, the train ride is no longer available.
Today, tourists come to Sugarcreek to visit the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. In 1972, Alpine Alpa restaurant commissioned Karl Schleutermann to the project of building a 23-foot tall and 24-foot wide cuckoo clock. While it took twelve years to complete, it has been named the largest of its kind in the Guinness Book of World Records. The clock entertains visitors every hour with a series of Swiss characters popping out of the miniature doors for a short, entertaining show.
While walking around Sugarcreek we happened upon the Lieutenant General Donald L. Putt Memorial. Donald Leander Putt was born in Sugarcreek on May 14, 1905. He was a retired lieutenant general in the US Army Air Force and Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Development. He graduated in 1928 from the Carnegie Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering and later pursued a Master’s Degree at CalTech. He became Chief of the experimental bomber branch which developed various B-bombers. After leaving the Armed Forces with 30 years of service, he joined United Aircraft and later founded the Chemical division in Sunnyvale, California. He died on November 24, 1988 at the age of 83. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The memorial measures 14 x 19 feet and took 4,234 bricks to create. Construction of the memorial began in 1992 and was built on land once owned by the Putt family. In front of the memorial is a replica of a solid rocket engine. The model is about 1/10th the size of the actual booster which are 12 feet in height.
Strolling Main Street, we noticed the Alpine Hills Museum. The museum’s mission is to preserve the beautiful history of this unique blend of cultures of the Amish and Swiss which has made an enormous impact on Holmes County, Ohio. Full of historical documents, maps and genealogies, the museum takes you back in time with its interactive displays and photographs.
Most of the residents in Sugarcreek speak English, but there is also a small population that speak German, Pennsylvania German and Pennsylvania Dutch. Nearby restaurants and tourists shops allow visitors to see firsthand, the Amish culture and community. A very reserved and private settlement, outsiders can enjoy their home-cooked meals and experience their simplistic lifestyle.
Have you visited Sugarcreek and to see the Cuckoo Clock or take a ride on the railroad? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thank you for reading about my visit to Sugarcreek, Ohio and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Sugarcreek Cuckoo Clock
Corner of Main Street and Broadway
Sugarcreek, OH 4468`
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: 9AM to 9PM, April through November (weather permitting)
Alpine Hills Museum
106 West Main Street
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
Telephone: 330 852 4113; 888 609 7592
Website: https://alpinehillssugarcreek.com/
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday from 9:30AM to 5PM; from Memorial Day to Labor Day; Closed Sundays, July 4th,
Lieutenant General Donald L. Putt Memorial
Corner of West Main Street and North Broadway Street
Hours of Operation: 24 / 7, Year Around
Admission: Free
Where to Stay:
6838 Co Rd 203
Millersburg, OH 44654
Telephone: 877 674 7600
Where to Eat:
Grandma’s Homestead Restaurant
4450 State Route 557
Charm, OH 44617
Telephone: (330) 893-2717
What to Eat:
Home-cooked Meals such as Erie Lake Perch, Fried Chicken, Meat Loaf or Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes, Chicken n’ Dumplings and lots of dessert options!
What to Read:
- Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughety
Photo Guide to Charm:
- Grandma’s Homestead Restaurant for the Horse Buggies