Sinking Spring, OH

Sinking Spring is a quiet, close-knit village of around 100 residents in southern Highland County. First settled in the early 1800s along the historic Zane Trace route, it got its unusual name from a local natural spring that disappears into the ground. Main Street, which doubles as State Route 41, runs right through the center of town and connects drivers north toward Hillsboro or south toward the Ohio River.

ATTRAesopposea / CC BY-SA 3.0

Much of the village's character comes from its historic landmarks, including an 1831 octagonal schoolhouse and the oldest operating Methodist church in the county. The old high school gym on Grand Street now serves as the community center for town gatherings and local events. For anyone looking for a slow-paced rural lifestyle, Sinking Spring offers plenty of scenic open space, with hiking and outdoor recreation nearby at Fort Hill and Pike Lake State Park. As a fun bonus, the village even made an appearance in the 1985 Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird.