custer memorial

I came across this site while traveling some back roads and being a history buff had to stop. Ohio did a very nice job in it's presentation of her native son George Custer. It is built on the site of his birthplace and I even found information there that I never knew about him.The town of New Rumley has "Custer Days" on a mid June Saturday and though it doesn't get much press, the museum is opened, a local church serves food, and there are military displays. It can consume any history buff for a few hours.

Regardless of your personal views of Manifest Destiny or the 7th Calvary's intrusion into Native American socio/religious celebration which necessitated the Battle of Little Big Horn, finding the birthplace of the (in)famous George Armstrong Custer is a unique thing. I found it by accident while Geocaching but then realized I will have to return and explore the nearby (former) Methodist church which is now a museum. Also, the park is a quaint location for a picnic while admiring the historical signs and monument.

If you are in the Steubenville area, visiting Tappan Lake or Salt Fork, this place is interesting to see. New Rumley, Ohio, and Harrison County was home to George Armstrong Custer and some of the other major administrators of the Civil War. The back way to this town is definitely one of the windingest, hilliest roads in Ohio. The site is actually maintained by the "friends of the G.A.C. memorial" which was probably very nice when new. There was grass growing between the bricks, the bushes need trimming, benches beside the statue should be fixed, and the info boards were very dirty, but it's a very informative and interesting display. Pretty good statue. Really old-school outhouses, a shelter with two picnic tables, and an awesome big greenlawn hill just begging to be rolled down. I am prouder of Custer than I was, and intrigued enough to find out more.

We stopped by here on the way back from,Savannah. I knew it was pretty much just a monument. It is very nicely done by the Ohio Historical Society however. There is lots of information that I haven't read in books. I also believe there is a little museum. It was not open so we didn't have time. It might be worth a visit though. The view from his monument was rather nice I thought. If one uses their imagination, then the few buildings disappear in it's the 19th century. Depending which way you come in it could be a long drive and be aware there is one road that is literally, one road. Two cars would be a tight fit. Overall, it is in a scenic little area and I would go visit again at least for what I took to be a museum. For those with kids (or without) that visit there is a picnic area. Probably, if you have time and in the area worth a quick visit to the hometown of one of the West's more colorful characters George A. Custer.

A very informative exhibit set in a really small town in the hills of Ohio. Everything is outdoors, no admission, and is cleverly set in the outline of the old Custer home. How the exhibit hasn't fallen victim to vandals, I don't know. (We were there in the summer of 2011.) Stop by and see it.