After an unfortunately cold and busy winter season, I am now back on the trails looking for those rare and forgotten towns of Ohio this spring. This post discusses an experience with a place that has been on my radar for years: Rendville, Ohio, best known as being the smallest populated city in the state. As of 2010, only 36 residents lived there. But before I get into that, I'll start at the beginning of the day.
New Straitsville
This past weekend was the Moonshine Festival down in New Straitsville, OH, a one road town who's rich history in coal mining and bootlegging presents endless stories. I had been meaning to visit there for a while, and now was the perfect opportunity. I set out with my brother to the crisp Saturday afternoon sun.
The festival was rife with adults and children alike, as I sampled some local moonshine and had a chat with the owner and creator of one of the concoctions. As I made my departure north towards Rendville, I was struck in awe by another town, looking as if I had just stepped into the old west.
Shawnee
Another coal boom/bust town, this one is almost in a state of frozen decay. With an amazing view approaching on SR 93, I couldn't help but go take a visit. My brother and I walked up and down the street, a few residents were out, and both antique stores were open. Though most storefronts were long since closed, you could really get a feel for the town as if you were there in its heyday. One of the more impressive sights, was an infill space, where it had been turned into a type of urban garden. Very cool!
After basking in the architectural marvels of the town, it was time to move on to my destination, the one and only Rendville. What I found there was more than I could ever hoped for.
After basking in the architectural marvels of the town, it was time to move on to my destination, the one and only Rendville. What I found there was more than I could ever hoped for.
Rendville
I had heard about the abandoned school some time ago, and I had assumed it was nothing more than a pile of bricks and rotting wood by now. I became fascinated by how such a important public structure could have been left for nature so suddently.
Getting to the exact spot was a bit difficult, as my brother's and my phones had no service and I couldn't load up the maps. Amateur mistake of course. Using luck and blind judgement, I took a turn off the main road onto a rather steep and narrow road, the kind of road where two cars could not pass at the same time without someone ending up in a ditch. As we rounded the corner, my brother looks out the window and spots a solitary brick mass amongst the wooded growth.
Getting to the exact spot was a bit difficult, as my brother's and my phones had no service and I couldn't load up the maps. Amateur mistake of course. Using luck and blind judgement, I took a turn off the main road onto a rather steep and narrow road, the kind of road where two cars could not pass at the same time without someone ending up in a ditch. As we rounded the corner, my brother looks out the window and spots a solitary brick mass amongst the wooded growth.
Firstly, a little architecture information, the school consists of two parts, the original 1880s portion, and a newer 1926 east addition, built using strong bricks and concrete and steel floors. All that is left is a ruined original structure and a well preserved addition.
Among the ivy and overgrowth we approached the east end, which towered above us. Water and time had taken it's toll, as most of the iron floor was rotten out and rusted all the way up. My brother, who was more daring than I, took a walk on the remnant of the boiler room wall.
Among the ivy and overgrowth we approached the east end, which towered above us. Water and time had taken it's toll, as most of the iron floor was rotten out and rusted all the way up. My brother, who was more daring than I, took a walk on the remnant of the boiler room wall.
As we made our way to the front, we found little remaining of the two story building. Hundreds of bricks were strewn over the landscape, and insects made their homes in the rotting wood. A half arch a window frame here and there. I looked for a cornerstone, but couldn't find one. Lastly I made my way up the side stairwell, which was very solid. When I got to the second floor I glanced over to what would haven been a full classroom. Looking the other direction yielded a giant opening. I was disappointed the old structure did not remain, but it was a very neat experience and I definitely plan to return again (when the ivy isnt so heavy!)
Date visited: May 23, 2015