EXPLORe THE AREA
WAPAKONETA ATTRACTIONS
Armstrong Family HOme
601 W. Benton St. Wapakoneta, OH
Cost: FREE (private residence)
Neil Armstrong was born in 1930 on the farm of his mother’s parents, southwest of Wapakoneta. After living in a number of Ohio communities, the Armstrongs returned to Wapakoneta in 1944, purchasing a home on W. Benton St. At the time, Neil was in high school. His family included his parents, Stephen and Viola, his sister June, and brother Dean.
This is a private residence and should be viewed
only from the sidewalk.
TEMPLE OF TOLERANCE
Situated in the midst of suburban Wapakoneta, the Temple of Tolerance is truly a whimsical and classic American roadside attraction. The massive labyrinth of walkways and hidden gardens circles through the backyard of Jim Bowsher, the temple's creator. The massive boulders and unique antiques scattered throughout the property took over twenty years to put together. The attraction is open year-round and is free to the public.
THE HELMET
1 Perry St. Wapakoneta, OH
Cost: FREE
Unveiled in July of 2022, "the Helmet" is an 11 foot tall art installation that resembles a stylized version of a NASA spacesuit helmet. Accompanying the aluminum and stainless steel spectacle is a granite monument with an engraved image of an Apollo landing mission, an enlarged bootprint from Apollo 11 on the ground, and the four handprints from the Apollo 11 Navy Frogmen, the team that recovered the astronauts after walking on the Moon. This attraction is in the middle of downtown Wapakoneta and can be viewed any time of year for free.
DOWNTOWN ARMSTRONG STATUE
10 E. Auglaize St. Wapakoneta, OH
Cost: FREE
Walking down Auglaize Street, shoppers are greeted by a smiling Neil Armstrong statue, waving to the world as he sits upon a granite bench. The statue is based upon a photograph of Armstrong taken during his homecoming return to Wapakoneta in September of 1969. Thousands of people lined the streets to welcome home the first man on the Moon. Today, people can relive that excitement by sitting and snapping a photo with Wapakoneta's hometown hero.
Wapakoneta fire station
103 Willipie Street, Wapakoneta, OH
Visitation upon request
Cost: FREE
The Wapakoneta Fire Station, situated at 103 Willipie Street in Wapakoneta, Ohio, stands as a testament to the city's rich firefighting heritage. Established in 1865 as the Deluge Fire Company, the department acquired its first fire engine, hose, carriage, and a building to house this equipment. The current firehouse, constructed in 1885, is believed to be one of the oldest active fire stations in Ohio .
Operating as a single-station department with 24-hour staffing, Wapakoneta Fire-EMS provides a range of emergency services, including fire prevention, EMS, and specialized rescue operations.
Blume High School
407 S. Blackhoof St. Wapakoneta, OH
Neil Armstrong attended Blume High School, graduating from here in 1947. He played baritone in the school band. With three friends, he formed a jazz combo that performed at school assemblies. Neil often stayed after school to work in the science lab with his teacher, John Grover Krites. At age 16, he earned his student’s pilot license at Port Koneta Air Field.
WAPAKONETA's HISTORIC MARKERS
Wapakoneta has such a rich history beyond Neil Armstrong! Some of this history is permanently displayed on Ohio Historical Markers placed around the city. From legendary film director Dudley Nichols to the historic Shannon Stock Company, take a deeper dive into the history of Auglaize County. Marker locations can be found in the link above.
Ft. Amanda State Memorial
Fort Amanda was one of a series of forts extending north from Piqua to Fort Meigs (present day Perrysburg), built by order of General William Henry Harrison to supply the United States army during the war of 1812. The fort’s construction began in the fall of 1812 under the direction of Lt. Col. Robert Poague, who named it Amanda in honor of his daughter. The original structure is no longer standing, but a granite monument was built in 1915 at its site. Trails lead through wooded ravines, down to the river, and out to the monument, making the park a perfect place for a walk or a picnic.
Neil Armstrong Mural
U.S. Route 33, 3 miles east of Wapakoneta, OH
Cost: Free
Entering Wapakoneta from the east on U.S. Route 33, travellers are greeted by an impressive highway mural of Neil Armstrong and the Moon. The mural was donated in 2020 by the artist John Cerney of Salinas, California. The Moon is made up of 270 plywood panels, and stands over 20 ft tall. Armstrong, seen wearing his Apollo 11 spacesuit, is standing at 12 ft tall. Travellers are encouraged to be safe and courteous when visiting, as the installation is on private property and near a highway.
Rhine and Brading Drug Store
26 E. Auglaize St. Wapakoneta, OH
During high school Neil Armstrong worked at the Rhine and Brading Drug Store, a longtime business in downtown Wapakoneta. He swept the floors in the morning before school and returned after school to stock shelves and work as a clerk. He used his earnings from the drug store (40 cents per hour) to pay for his flying lesson at local Port Koneta Air Field. The store is currently Charme Beauty Salon.
St. Paul United Church of Christ
101 S. Perry St. Wapakoneta, OH
The Armstrong Family attended St. Paul United Church of Christ, one of the oldest congregations in Wapakoneta, dating to 1850. At the time the Armstrongs began going here, it was an Evangelical and Reformed congregation. Neil was a member of the Boy Scout troop sponsored by the church, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Wapakoneta Museum
The First Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1862, making it the oldest Protestant church in the county. It is also a very important example of Greek Revival architecture; its recessed entrance flanked by two large columns is the only example of this “temple” style in nine counties of west-central Ohio. The building now houses the Wapakoneta Museum of the Auglaize County Historical Society.
REGIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Bicycle Museum of America
Located in New Bremen, Ohio, the Bicycle Museum of America is home to over 200 historic bicycles. The museum discusses how the history of the bicycle and
how it helped shape the American landscape through innovation and design. Admission to the museum is very affordable and the organization is located right in the heart of New Bremen's downtown, right on the old canal!
ALLEN COUNTY MUSEUM
Located in Lima, Ohio, the Allen County Museum is one of Ohio's best county museums. Founded in 1908, the museum features an extensive collection that chronicle's the area's development from its early Native American roots through its industrial growth and beyond. The campus includes a Victorian mansion, log home, and a refurbished Shay locomotive. Be sure to check out other oddities like the largest collection of stuffed albino animals and a medical collection of items removed from people's larynx and esophagus!
AIRSTREAM HERITAGE CENTER
The Airstream Heritage Center in Jackson Center, Ohio is a captivating experience celebrating the iconic legacy of Airstream trailers. Located at the global headquarters of Airstream, Inc., the center offers a unique glimpse into the history and evolution of these quintessential American trailers. For space enthusiasts, the center also talks about their connection to the space program, having both the Apollo Mobile Quarantine Facility trailers and the Shuttle-era Astrovan.
THE GIANT
1001 W Market St. Celina, OH (23 miles from museum)
Cost: FREE
Located at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina, Ohio, this "Giant" sasquatch statue has become a popular attraction for Bigfoot hunters and travellers alike. Crafted in 2024 by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers in Indiana, this impressive work stands at a towering 27 ft and 18 ft wide. The carvers used over 5,000 ft of poplar wood to create the furry outside. A similar installation can be found in French Lick, Indiana.
Carillon Historical Park
Carillon Historical Park showcases Dayton’s rich heritage of creativity, invention, and milestones in transportation that changed the nation and the world. Founded by Colonel Edward and Edith Deeds, the Park is situated on a beautiful 65-acre campus next to the Great Miami River, just south of downtown Dayton. The Park shares the region’s history from its founding in 1796 through the important local contributions made during World War II. Visitors learn about these achievements while strolling through the Park’s 25 historical buildings and interacting with hundreds of artifacts and exhibits. Among them is the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane and National Historic Landmark, the 1835 B&O (Grasshopper) steam locomotive, and the first automobile self-starter. Visitors also experience Dayton’s pioneer history and its importance as a major transportation center illustrated by remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal. The Park is home to the Deeds Carillon, one of Dayton’s best-known landmarks, and the largest carillon in Ohio. Carillon Historical Park is a unique combination of museum, park and natural area.
Fort Recovery State Museum
Fort Recovery is the site of two of the most dramatic Indian battles in American history. On the grounds are two reconstructed blockhouses and connecting stockade. A 103’ monument honors the more than 900 soldiers who died in the battles.
Grand Lake St. Marys
Constructed as a feeder reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal in 1845, Grand Lake St. Marys was the largest man-made lake in the world. The reservoir sites on the summit between the Ohio River and Lake Erie. Now Ohio’s largest inland lake with over 13,500 acres and 52 miles of shoreline, it is a prime recreational area offering a variety of activities for the whole family – picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, skiing, tubing and camping. State parks are located at the east and west ends of the lake.
Johnston Farm and Indian Agency
Located on 250 acres, the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency site contains the restored 1815 farmstead owned by Piqua Indian Agent John Johnston, a mule-drawn canal boat ride along the Miami and Erie Canal, and a comprehensive museum on Woodland Indians. Many activities and special events cater to history buffs and weekend adventurers alike. The site’s popular Labor Day Festival treats visitors to a weekend filled with historic craft demonstrations, home-cooked foods, and live entertainment.
Land of the Cross Tipped Churches Scenic Byway
This scenic byway includes 60 structures representing the German Catholic settlements in Auglaize and Mercer Counties on the National Register of Historic Places. Consisting of churches, schools, rectories and convents, the grouping is symbolic of the strong German immigration to the region in the mid 19th century.
Miami and Erie Canal Heritage Corridor
The Miami and Erie Canal was completed in 1845 between Cincinnati and Toledo. Many communities in western Ohio owe their development to the canal. Today, the canal towpath is a popular hiking trail and an Ohio Scenic Byway follows the canal along State Route 66. Visit Lock One and the Lock Keeper’s House in New Bremen; the Belle of St. Marys, a full-scale replica of a packet canal boat in St. Marys Memorial Park; and Lock 14 and Deep Cut Parks north of St. Marys.
National Aviation Hall of Fame
They dreamed the dreams. They harnessed the technologies. They created a world where the sky was no longer the limit. The National Aviation Hall of Fame honors them for their service to country, their ingenuity, their courage, and their vision. The stories of the NAHF enshrinees are stories of America...of challenge and failure, of determination and, triumph. The NAHF Learning and Research Center has been designed to reflect their passion and innovation. Exhibits and interactives inspire young people to embrace the potential of technology, and to understand how the enshrinees harnessed and applied it in order to breathe life into man's dream of flight.
National Aviation Heritage Area
Sites located in Western Ohio, primarily along the Interstate 75 corridor, OH
Consisting of 10 sites in the Dayton region, visitors can journey through aviation history. The NAHA sites include the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Carillon Historical Park, Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, The Wright B Flyer, Grimes Flying Lab Foundation, Historic WACO Field, and the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Make the tour and discover why the Dayton region is synonymous with aviation.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world’s largest military aviation museum, boasting more than400 aeronautical vehicles-- many rare and one-of-a-kind -- along with thousands of historical items and powerful sensory exhibits that bring history to life and connect the Wright brothers' legacy with today's stealth and precision technology.
Ohio Caverns
Ohio Caverns is the largest and most beautiful cave system in Ohio. The diversity of the crystal-white stalactite and stalagmite formations and unexcelled coloring are unique because they are still developing. In addition to the education and fun found in the caverns, visitors will also find a 35-acre park with shelter houses and picnic tables.
Ohio’s Historic West Heritage Area
West Central Ohio – Auglaize, Champaign, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby and Van Wert Counties, OH
Ohio’s Historic West in the story of the American experience as illustrated in the region’s cultural and ethnic diversity, family farms, rural lifestyle, scenic beauty, ingenious inventors, hometown heroes, small town charms, and community spirit. Traveling the by-ways of the region, the experience is about rolling landscapes where towering church steeples dot the countryside and thriving small towns are filled with historic architecture and attractions that tell the unique stories of Ohio’s heritage. A complete travel itinerary for the heritage area is available at the organization’s website.