I have loved antiquing since childhood, which I’ve come to understand is somewhat uncommon.
“Wait – so you’re telling me you were just this little kid, rummaging around in a bunch of old people’s old stuff?” my friend once asked while we were elbow deep in 1950s cocktail hour albums.
I had no choice but to admit he was right. To top it off, I’ve had a pretty hard time shaking off the phrase myself, despite my own advancing age.
So, when the opportunity arose for me to spend the day antiquing in Mount Victory, Ohio, I eagerly jumped at the chance to add even more old people’s old stuff to my life.
Coming from Columbus, Mount Victory can be found by zipping out to Marysville on Route 33 then taking a straight shot up Route 31. Once you’ve spotted the Plaza Inn Restaurant on your right, you’re just a bumpy railroad crossing away from Mount Victory’s Historic District.
There are eight operating antique and craft stores surrounding the stretch of Route 31 that serves as Mount Victory’s main drag. However, in order to hit all of them, you’ll need to do a little bit of walking, and have impeccable timing.
Each shop has its own personality, from the items they are selling, to the throwback 1970s carpeting. Seasoned antiquers will be thrilled to rummage through table upon table of highly collectible “smalls,” like souvenir ashtrays and toys that came in fast food kids’ meals. I can’t say “Happy Meals” because Burger King and Carl’s Jr. were represented in the hodge-podge offerings I found.
Though this is not a town filled with highly curated, museum-quality antiques, an intrepid antiquer or flea market explorer will have no trouble adding several pieces to their collection…whatever their collection may be. I personally found myself going through old local yearbooks and family photos to get a sense of the history of Mount Victory and the surrounding area.
(left) As the sign notes, shops of Mount Victory set their own hours. (right) The official flag of antiquing flies high over Main Street in Mount Victory, Ohio. – Photos by Mer Farrar
Mount Victory prides itself in being pedestrian-friendly, and I completely agree with this assessment. According to the town history, the area was specifically platted in 1851 with a community in mind. Even as a train roared by, blocking traffic on 31, pedestrians were still free to access the major roadways, including most retail establishments and neighborhoods.
The main drag isn’t the only place to explore. Tea for Three Antiques and Harmony House are located less than a block away – each in a different direction down Taylor Street, which intersects with Route 31 (which is called South Main Street in town). Each is a treasure in its own right. Tea for Three includes a magnificent garden with a reflecting pond and enviable butterfly bushes, while Harmony House – a frontier-style “boomtown” wood frame building – is officially recognized as the oldest building in Mount Victory.
When it’s time for some fresh air, walking a few blocks through the residential district will take you to Mount Victory Park, an inviting, peaceful corner of town with an impressive playground, picnic shelter, ball fields and community center.
The town’s other significant park, Henry Martin Memorial Park, is located on the main strip. Here you’ll find a detailed mural which depicts the train depot during Mount Victory’s heyday. On the day I visited, I had to do a quick double-take. The artist who created the mural had done a very good job at matching the blue of an Ohio sky, and if it weren’t for the slight difference in perspective, I might have believed I wandered off to another time.
The three most popular eateries in Mount Victory are the cleverly named Go-Fer Pizza, the Plaza Inn Restaurant, and The Belly Acre. The pizza restaurant is self-explanatory and allegedly legendary, though it was closed when I visited. The Plaza Inn serves homestyle cooking, which I adore, but Saturday afternoons are for snacking. I grabbed a butterscotch milkshake from The Belly Acre and headed back to town to continue exploring.
I must admit, I lingered in town a bit longer than I probably needed to. There was something about the quietness of the small-town air, dappled with children laughing and playing in the distance, the sun glowing off the proudly aged buildings, and that golden pre-autumn Ohio light that made me want to stay awhile. Mount Victory is, after all, The Friendly Town.
As sunny, crisp days are upon us, many of us find ourselves wanting to get in a few more adventures before the weather sets in. With its unique shops and pedestrian-friendly layout, Mount Victory is a great destination for a quick road trip into the heart of Americana.
Is the drive to Mount Victory worth it? If you’re looking for a direct, low-key destination that doesn’t require all day unless you want it to, I would say it’s a fantastic choice. My only word of advice would be to check the hours of the vintage shops if something catches your eye. As the town display indicates, they’re more or less open when they feel like it. However, you can find a directory at mountvictory.com/vintage-shops-day-trip, which can help you find the latest news and check to see what’s open.
