“If a man could have only lived long enough he could have sat in the lobby of the old Golden Lamb in Lebanon Ohio and watched the entire history of a nation pass by.
Charles Kurault
Founded in 1802, a year before the State of Ohio and Warren County,Lebanon Ohio is almost exactly equidistant between Cincinnati and Dayton. This quirk of geography caused Lebanon to become a frequent stopping point for travelers going north to south or south to north.
Today this "happy accident" of geography means that Lebanon's residents have easy access to major cities for employment and recreation. Close to both Interstates 71 & 75, Lebanon still remains a destination for travelers although automobiles have replaced the carriages and wagons of over 200 years ago.
Lebanon's downtown business district reminds many visitors of a scene right out of Norman Rockwell. Quaint shops line the downtown streets offering everything from Georgian antiques to gourmet chocolates. And the person behind the counter is probably a friend or neighbor or someone you see in church on Sunday or at the football game on Friday night. Lebanon's brick sidewalks and absence of neon harken back to an age when people went "downtown" to shop instead of the mall.
 Out of town visitors and locals alike all flock to the base of Broadway for gourmet handmade chocolates at The Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory. Located in the former showroom of a long ago auto dealership, The Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory creates delicious treats on premise and will ship virtually anywhere.
Just opposite The Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory is The Warren County History Center located in Harmon Hall. "The Museum" as local residents call it is a unique repository of Lebanon and Warren County history. Collections contain everything from prehistoric indian artifacts to last weeks local paper. The collections include an extensive collection of Shaker furniture and artifacts housed in The Robert and Virginia Jones Shaker Gallery. An authentic Village Green on the main  floor gives visitors an authentic view of Lebanon life in the middle 19th century.
The WCHS also staffs and administers Glendower State Memorial a museum owned by The Ohio Historical Society. Glendower has been described as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the midwest. This classic 19th century home is filled with fine examples of Ohio and Warren County furniture. It is also the site of a colorful Civil War encampment each summer and the spectacular Christmas At Glendower each December.
A short stroll up Broadway brings you to Lebanon's downtown business district. Broadway was so named because when the town was laid out this central street was made "broad" enough for a horse and wagon to turn around without stopping. The quaint brick sidewalks and 19th century look are compliments of "Streetscape" an organized effort in the early 1970's to define Lebanon's downtown look.
Located on Broadway is a true Lebanon landmark in The Fella Bella Shop. For decades local residents have shopped here for infants and childrens clothes and the shop is known throughout the area for its unique lines.
Close to The Fella Bella Shop is a very unique shop The Garden Gate located in a  building that has been a restaurant, a bank, and now retail space. Their unique selections of course vary seasonally and offer everything for the gardner.
Moving on up Broadway stop in and see Mike and Marilyn at McMurray Frames and Gifts. The McMurrays have an eclectic collection of prints and gift items and offer custom museum quality framing. |