LIFESTYLE

Community Spotlight: Doylestown and Chippewa Township feature history, outdoor fun

Paula Schleis

Special to Akron Beacon Journal

The Doylestown water tower is framed by an American flag.

Chippewa Township and the village of Doylestown have both naughty and nice in their history.

The area was settled by the peaceful, God-fearing Chidester family, then it gave way to a lawless wild west after the discovery of coal in the 19th century brought in miners, canalmen, tavern owners and brothels.

Today, it’s a scenic bedroom community proud of its history with a handful of tame pursuits — although ghost hunters often drive through at night looking for the famous specters, ghost trains, crying babies and headless horse of Rogues’ Hollow.

Location

A woman walks her dog up Portage Street in Doylestown.

State route 585 cuts through these communities in the northwest corner of Wayne County. Border communities are Rittman, Marshallville, and Milton, Green and Baughman townships.

Highlights

Doylestown was founded by and named for an early settler, William Doyle, who built a log cabin in 1827 that doubled as a home and the town’s first tavern. The village was incorporated in 1867.

Chippewa Township is named after the Chippewa Indian tribe that used to inhabit the area. The Chippewas themselves, however, called the area Nibrara, meaning “beautiful valley.”

Famous former residents include serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who lived in Doylestown when his brother David was born. Singer George Morgan moved to Doylestown to marry a local woman and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998, alongside Tammy Wynette and Elvis Presley. Also, the cowboy star Roy Rogers is said to have visited his grandmother, who lived in the still-preserved Rogers House on Galehouse Road.

The Wayne County Historical Society has identified 49 historic buildings here, including landmarks, pioneer homes and century houses.

Attractions

Please note: As the area recovers from the COVID-9 pandemic, many businesses are altering their hours of operation. Be aware that the information reported in this list may change.

Bent Ladder Winery offers outdoor seating with a view in Doylestown.

• Rogues’ Hollow is a part of the township famous for its wild era of taverns, brothels and brawls — which evolved into modern-day spook stories that attract ghost hunters from throughout the region. But you can also enjoy it for its simple history. At 17500 Galehouse Road, visit the old 19th century Chidester Mill. There’s a museum inside that is only open Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., but the mill is worthy of scenic exterior photos any day of the week. There are also special events throughout the year. www.chippewarogueshollow.org

• Adjacent to the old mill at Rogues’ Hollow is the Chippewa Township Preserve Pavilion, which is open daily for picnics and exploring the easy hiking trails in the hollow.

• Aug. 6-7 is the annual Rogues’ Hollow Festival, with a parade, exhibitors, live music, antique cars and a 5k walk/run. There will also be fireworks Saturday night (rain date Sunday), seen from anywhere in downtown Doylestown and Memorial Park, 280 Gates St. www.facebook.com/RoguesHollowFestival

• Silver Run Vineyard & Winery, 376 Eastern Road, Doylestown. Open Thursday and Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m. www.silverrunwinery.com

• Rittman Orchards and Farm Market., 13548 Mount Eaton Road, offers fresh fruit and produce, and you can pick your own berries and apples when in season. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Also on the property is Bent Ladder, a cider and wine tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the valley. www.rittmanorchards.com

A worker restocks peaches at Rittman Orchards in Doylestown.

Guests enjoy the view as they sample wines July 17 at Bent Ladder in Doylestown.

• The annual Summer Concert Series, held at 24 S. Portage St. in Doylestown, had a reduced schedule this year due to pandemic-related funding issues. The last concert of the season will be 7 p.m., July 30. The Chardon Polka Band will perform, with the Cheezylicious Food Truck available. Roads are blocked for the concert. Bring your own chairs.

• Chippewa Golf Club, 12147 Shank Road, is an 18-hole public golf course, open from sunup to sunset. The course was designed and built by Harrison and Garbin in 1962 and features a rolling terrain, undulating greens and the infamous “Bermuda Triangle.” There is an updated driving range and an outdoor pavilion that can accommodate up to 200 people. www.chippewagolfclub.com

• Cranston’s Pub, 13108 Portage St. in the township, is known for its pizza and its Scottish and German beers. Limited summer hours, from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

• Shelly’s Uptown Grill, 68 N. Portage St. in Doylestown, is a sports-themed restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner daily, with early breakfast hours added on Friday and Saturday. On Summer Concert Series nights, outdoor dining is added.

• A weekly farmer’s market is held at Memorial Park Lions Pavilion, 280 Gates St., 8-11 a.m. every Saturday through Sept. 11.

• Doylestown’s annual village-wide yard sale will be on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Community Spotlight is a new weekly feature highlighting towns in the Akron-Canton region. Want to suggest a community to profile? Email cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.

A woman shops at Rittman Orchards and Farm Market in Doylestown.

About Doylestown and Chippewa Township

Founded: Doylestown 1827; Chippewa Township 1815

Population: Doylestown 3,067; Chippewa Township 10,138

School and mascot: Chippewa Local School District, the Chipps

Websites: www.chippewatwp.com; www.doylestown.com