Bucyrus, Ohio may be best known for the Bratwurst Festival held during the month of August. The annual event welcomes thousands of visitors to the three-day family-friendly happening that pays homage to the town’s large German heritage by consuming large quantities of the local delicacy, bratwurst while enjoying live music and activities.
But on a recent visit, I discovered there is much more to this community than bratwurst.
The first stop on the agenda was to Cooper’s Mill, an apple butter and jelly factory that offers high-quality products in their storefront, along with a selection of hand-picked food items from local and Ohio sources. Individuals and groups are welcome to take a free educational tour of the factory and after, you can taste the samples of jams, jellies, butters, and fudge in the marketplace. I couldn’t leave without taste-testing the Raspberry Jalapeño Fudge which offers just a bit of kick.
Crossroads Original Designs located just one mile down the street from Cooper’s Mill features hand-poured candles in the 80,000 square foot facility that serves as factory, warehouse, and heavenly-scented showroom. Visitors can watch employees pouring candles through the viewing window in the back of the showroom and shop for home décor items, accessories and of course, candles, with over 58 scents in a variety of sizes to choose from. I always buy vanilla-scented candles, but one sniff of the top-selling Buttered Maple Syrup and I had a new favorite.
What many people don’t realize is that in addition to an industrialist background, Bucyrus has a rich history steeped in secret mob meetings and Presidential scandal. You can learn all about this dark past as well as some heart-warming and heart-wrenching tales depicted in the Great American Crossroad Mural, hand-painted by artist Eric Grohe, which is located on the square.
An easy walk down the street leads to the Liberty Remembers mural, a stunning piece that has immortalized 284 Crawford County Veterans and inspired a book full of their stories.
While you’re exploring the square, you may want to pop into the Crawford County Courthouse which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Around the corner, you’ll find Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works, formerly called D. Picking Co., the last factory in the US to make hand-hammered copper kettles, like the apple butter kettles used at Cooper’s Mill. Tours of the factory, housed in the original building from the late 1800’s, are offered by the coppersmiths’ between projects. Contact Visit Bucyrus (information below) to arrange a tour.
Fun and quirky stops include the Mystery Ball, a tombstone with a marble ball that has revolved on it’s base in a cemetery just outside Sulphur Springs, the Friendship Suspension Bridge which now plays hosts to several padlocks, declaring they undying affection of love-struck couples in Aumiller Park, and a speakeasy, home of the Roaring 20’s Live, a dinner theatre which is offered several times a year.
There’s no need to wait until August to visit Bucyrus for a great Bratwurst sandwich. Stop by Carle’s, the last of the original Bratwurst maker’s in Bucyrus and grab a bratwurst on Rye with sauerkraut, onions and mustard to go. Or dine in, if you prefer but let me warn you, Carle’s is a popular lunch spot so you may experience a bit of a crowd, which only proves that they offer incredible food that is worth a little bit of a wait.
And what better way to end the day than with a Root Beer Float from Miller’s Drive-in Restaurant?
My trip to Bucyrus was fun and educational. I discovered that it offers so much to see and do, that I could never explore all of Bucyrus in one visit. I’m already planning a trip back to see what I missed.
If you’d like to visit Bucyrus, you can follow my itinerary, or contact Barb or Bonnie at the Bucyrus Visitor’s Center and they would be happy to arrange tours and a customized itinerary just for you.
Contact Information:
Bucyrus Visitor’s Center
Address: 301 S. Sandusky St. Bucyrus, Ohio 44820
Phone: 866-562-0720
Website: www.visitbucyrus.com
Email: [email protected]
On Social Media: Bucyrus Visitor’s Center on Facebook
© 2014 – 2017, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Cindy says
Great article! Bucyrus is my home town. It was a great place to grow up in and I have lots of good memories. Thanks for writing about it. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed your visit!
Tonya says
Thanks, Cindy! I loved my visit and can’t wait to return to explore further. I had no idea there’s so much to do in Bucyrus!
Jhoveleen David says
That place seems has a lot of fun to offer. It’d be great if we could visit there too one day.
Josh says
I live in bucyrus, millers drive in is good but I prefer the dairy crest.carles does have the best bratwurst in town. I see this stuff everyday
Pat Smith says
I would love to come back up to Bucyrus,, an visit again.. It has beewn years since I have been up there….would love to come up for the bratworst festival,, as it has been several yrs.. since i been there..
Shocked says
I’m originally from this town, and I guess I have taken all of these places for granted! I wish I would have appreciated it more while I still lived in the town. I still get things from coopers mill and picking copper!
Not So Average Mama says
I loooove drive in diners!!!!
Rebecca says
I live here and ya there are a few visitor attractions but to me its a small town that needs more to do
beth says
Hi, This is a Really Great post!!!! I was born in raised in Bucyrus, you captured some of the great things i love about that town. although I didn’t know about the “mystery ball”. is that in the cemetery on the corner of State route 602 and State route 98? The Next time i visit my family graves i will have to look for the mystery ball.
Michelle says
That really looks like a lovely town!
Trisha Haas says
Wow! You make visiting a MUST SEE and GO!! Thankyou for sharing all your travels!
Julie L-C says
Being born and raised in Bucyrus and still here, I can honestly say that you brought out the bright points of my town. It is a crossroads of Ohio with State Route 4 running north and south from the Ohio River to Lake Erie and Cedar Point. Then the Lincoln Highway, Old State Route 30 which has the largest and longest garage sale runs East and West through the town. We are close to Amish Country, Mid-Ohio Raceway, Cedar Point and Columbus but still a farming community with good German background. The Bratwurst Festival is ALWAYS the “teen-th” weekend of August and is coming up pretty soon. So hop in your car, stop in for the BIG Parade on Saturday with the Ohio State Alumni Marching Band and enjoy some brats and beer.
Robin says
MY hometown and it was the BEST to be raised in this town. I love this article and in it’s days it truly had much more to offer. 🙂
Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already says
What a beautiful town! I would love to visit with the kids and explore all day long.
Rosey says
I love the nostalgic feel of a place like this. I’d like to smell the buttered maple syrup scent you talked about here!
Wendy says
I LOVE finding out stuff like this. This looks like a great place to visit!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
Bucyrus looks like a ton of fun. I always enjoy factory tours, especially the ones that end with me tasting food. Raspberry Jalepeno Fudge sounds delicious. Do they sell copper pots at the coppersmith, too? My friend was just raving about how good copper pots are and it’d be wonderful to get one at a place I visited.
Stephanie Mahle says
I’m not certain but I don’t believe they have items for sale at the Picking Copper Kettle Company. They must be ordered and there is quite a wait for most pieces. The wait is certainly worth it though as they are collectors pieces. Brass kettle drums for some of the symphony orchestras are still made there.
Come and enjoy our city.
Anita says
They do sell them but last I heard there is a 6 to 12 month wait 🙂
Lesley Stevens says
I want to visit Ohio soon, great images, eye appealing.
Karen Coutu says
If I ever visited, I’d just have to stop by the copper factory! I used to collect copper pieces for my kitchen.
Mimi says
I’ve never heard of this town before, but it sounds like one we’d love to stop at our road trip home. That looks like such a cute place to visit. I could handle tasting that fudge, too!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
What a neat place to visit! I love little hidden gems like this.
Amber NElson says
That looks like a beautiful city. And very clean as well!
Mel Outnumbered says
What a neat little town. I’ll have to visit one day!
Yvonne Roga says
What a lovely place to visit
Chrissy says
Looks like a great town to visit!
Crystal says
Looks like great fun. I love towns with lots of cute, little shops. You find the best treasures there.
Tim Ward says
If I ever take a trip to Bucyrus, Ohio I’m going to remember this blog for sure! What stunning photos you’ve taken.
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal says
This looks like a fun little town to visit! I’ll have to remember this the next time I’m in Ohio 🙂
Leelo R says
This sounds like an intersting place to visit. Thanks for sharing!
LifeAsAConvert says
I like exploring things like that. And that building is gorgeous!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
What a fun place to visit!! The apple factory sounds fabulous and i LOVE candles… buttered Maple syrup sounds divine… and I am a HUGE fan of handmade copper kettles! It’s going on my list if “places to visit”. 🙂
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
Wow, sounds like a very interesting place to visit (or places I should say!). Lots of history and neat stuff to check out too.
Lynne says
I have never heard of Bucyrus before but it sounds like a very interesting town wtith a fascinating history
Kimberly Grabinski says
Bratwurst is almost ENOUGH, but it’s cool to see some of the other things the town has to offer. I’ve never been to Ohio.
Alison says
I love hearing the history behind places that we may not know about before. My brother and SIL moved to Ohio (well for her back to Ohio) with their kids so I may end up visiting the state one day. May have to check this out in person. Thanks!
Kecia says
I have never heard of this town. However, I am sure my husband would love to visit their Bratwurst Festival!!
Liz Mays says
I love when you find communities that have more to offer than you realized. I’ll have to see how far this is from my daughter’s house!
Melinda says
love finding cool places like this.
Debra picard says
I love Ohio! Its so beautiful! I go there every year! I’m stopping at the factory, I can’t wait to Tate that Raspberry jalapeño fudge!