Fernweh, An Ache for Distant Places

TIPP CITY is a small town in southwestern Ohio, commonly known as a bedroom community of Dayton.

This land originally belonged to the Shawnee Tribe.

It has around ten thousand people in less than eight square miles and it is part of the Dayton metropolitan area, but I think it deserves more recognition of its own.

TIP AND TY
Tipp City was founded by white folk in 1840 as Tippecanoe and it was named after the ninth President of the USA, William Henry Harrison.

Harrison’s nickname “Tippecanoe” was in reference to his success during the Battle of Tippecanoe back in 1811, and his campaign slogan was “Tippecanoe, and Tyler Too!”

Many Tippers have heard that slogan their whole lives, but likely do not know that it came from a song.

“Tip and Ty” was the rally song of William Harrison and John Tyler, members of the Whig Party, in their “Log Cabin Campaign” of 1840.

An Ohio jeweler named Alexander Ross wrote its twelve different verses to the tune of an old “minstrel” song and I hate that part.

“Tip and Ty” lyrics consist of excessive repetitive words. I can not say I am fond of it, but it was such a rousing hit in New York that it became part of a Broadway musical in the 1960s called How to Steal an Election.

The version of the song in How to Steal an Election was adapted with new lyrics by famous folk singer and author, Oscar Brand, who toured and performed with Lead Belly, Woodie Guthrie, and Pete Seeger.

Brand later went on to compose a couple of Canada’s national songs, Jimmy Carter’s campaign song, more musical scores, and hosted a whole slew of radio and television shows.

North American Review, the oldest literary magazine in the US, described the song as being “what ‘La Marseillaise’ was to the French Revolution” and credits it for “singing Harrison into the presidency.”

Contemporary grunge pop band The Amps released a song titled “Tipp City” in 1995.

They put on a show with the band Guided by Voices in a former post office building and local media praised the song as a “Loveletter to Ohio” but that is not the impression one might get if they actually listen to the lyrics.

Tipp City also has its own fight song.

TIPPECANOE BECOMES TIPP CITY
The first town plan for Tippecanoe consisted of 17 land lots, and by 1850 the population had grown so much that the Tippecanoe village was renamed Tippecanoe City.

Within a decade or so, the railroad had laid its tracks and made canal travel less popular.

Related businesses slowed or closed, leaving ruins to sit idly until development of Highway 25 and Interstate 75 required some clean up.

In the late 1930s, the town post office abbreviated the name to “Tipp” City after the discovery of another Ohio town that was going by Tippecanoe City.

The mix-up caused a lot of mail delivery chaos, but the new name resolved the issue.

As Tippecanoe City grew, it merged with Hyattsville, a nearby contiguous village that was located on present-day Hyatt Street.

THE MIAMI ERIE CANAL
Tipp City is situated along the Miami Erie Canal that was built over a span of twenty years, from 1825-1845.

The 274-mile canal ran from Cincinnati to Toledo and had over 100 canal locks, the bulk of which have been landscaped or converted into parks in this part of Ohio.

It was a bustling port for transport ships and had its own red light district and countless bars filling in the spaces between each canal lock along its boundary.

You can still see many of them, dry and dusty as they are now.

Canal Lock Park is the prime example of this, and it is also the park closest to downtown.

There is an old canal boat on display next to the parking lot, right by a part of the actual canal.

NOTABLE FIGURES
The Wampler Siblings; Carrie, Philip, and Cricket, are all actors who were born in Tipp City.

Carrie Alexander acted in Big Little Lies, The Goldbergs, Paper Tiger, Yellow Birds, Parks & Recreation. Philip acted in Nocturne, Damage Control, and Last Vegas, and Christina aka “Cricket” acted in Big Shot, Mr. Robinson, and About a Boy.

My dad worked for their grandfather Phil, who was a beloved Tipp City local. They stayed in touch long after our family moved away from Ohio, until Phil passed away.

This old clawfoot tub that once belonged to Phil’s plumbing company still sits outside as a humble memorial, repurposed as décor for the new bath and body care shop that took its place.

My dad is the most notable figure of Tipp City of all, though.

He knew everyone and can still recount every detail and event of life in Tipp during the 1970s and 1980s like it happened yesterday. I cherish the times he has walked or driven me around town on a tour.

We have ran into people there that he had not seen in a decade or two, but they remembered him right away or called him by name. Within minutes, he was sharing some wild story and telling them something about Tipp City history they did not even know.

Hearing him talk about Tipp City has always made me feel so much nostalgic longing for the place.

My dad and his brothers went to Tippecanoe High School, and my word, the stories I have heard.

He and my mom met while working at the Dairy Queen when they were teenagers. It has been remodeled, but it is still there.

Then there is me. I was born in Dayton proper, but we lived in Tipp City for my first few years of life.

My grandfather worked at A.O. Smith, the company that produces the water heaters my dad often utilizes in his plumbing company now, more than three hundred miles away from Tipp City.

My grandmother worked at Dolly Toy, which started in 1923 as Dolly Kite Company and expanded by making toys out of leftover cardboard.

They were the first company to ever make licensed Disney toys and home goods, and the only one of more than thirty toy companies in Dayton to survive the Great Depression.

Soon, Dolly Toy became known around the country as the leading creator of nursery decorations and seasonal novelties as well.

Unfortunately they closed in 2008 after losing the market battle to cheaper items from China.

I remember sitting in the front office as a kid in the 80s, spinning around and around in the receptionist desk chair waiting for my grandmother to finish her tasks, bored out of my mind because I was not allowed to play with any of the display toys that filled the stuffy tan and brown lobby.

A company called Process Equipment in Tipp City once made experimental equipment for the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN.

It should be noted that if you ever take the Manhattan Project tour, you will see mentions of various sites in Ohio and the nearby city of Miamisburg.

Royal Baking Powder, still one of the most popular brands today, was sold first in Tipp City.

The soil was not so hospitable to growing the grapes required to make tartar, so the manufacturer relocated.

Tipp City is also the birthplace of Spring Hill Nursery, known around the country for their mail order seeds, birding, and garden catalogs.

Spring Hill was founded as Bohlender’s Nursery in 1889 by a Bavarian immigrant named Peter Bohlender.

He retired after a decade or so and passed it on to his son and son-in-law, who changed the name to Spring Hill Nursery.

In 1930, they had already achieved notoriety as the premier mail-order nursery and they are still running strong today with millions of regular clients.

TIPP CITY MUM FESTIVAL
Tipp is famous for its annual Mum Festival, largely supported by Spring Hill Nursery.

Each fall since 1959, Tipp City, Ohio has hosted the Tipp City Mum Festival downtown.

Friday night is the kick-off with the annual Antique & Show Car Cruise-In, the largest festival car show in the entire state of Ohio.

On the following Saturday morning, the Tipp City Mum Festival Parade takes place on Main Street.

Run for the Mums starts in City Park, where nearly 300 booths of locally grown produce, food vendors, handmade home décor and attire, fall and holiday supplies and gifts, and eclectic flea market items are up for sale.

Read more about the Tipp City Mum Festival in this blog. 

HISTORIC BUILDINGS & BUSINESSES
Downtown Tipp City runs along Main Street between I-75 to the west and Canal Lock Park to the east, before it reaches the Great Miami River.

Some of the oldest buildings in Tipp City are still standing, and many of them have been renovated for continuous use.

There are 88 individual structures in the Old Tippecanoe Main Street Historic District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A few of the most interesting buildings include Chaffee’s Opera House, the Old Municipal Building, the McConnaughey & Young Building, the Hotel Gallery, and Tipp Roller Mills.

TIPP ROLLER MILLS was built by the John brothers in 1839 for use as a flour mill, with three stories and nine separate work bays.

It was unique because the grinders were powered by water from the canal that flowed underneath the mill which turned rollers (instead of the usual stones) to mash up the grains.

Even as the canal dried up and technological advances brought diesel power to the operation, the mill still used rollers.

Flour made there was sold under the names Snowball Flour and Quality Flour.

Tipp Roller Mills had a few name changes and transfers of ownership in the years to come, first to the Herr Brothers then to W. H. Ethell in 1897, to the Great Miami River Management agency in 1917, and a few others before it landed with the Poston family in 1942.

Charles and Eloise Poston stopped all mill operations that year and converted the building into an antique store.

It has hosted a few other businesses since then but is now a live music and event venue called Tipp Roller Mill.

BUGGY WHIP was once a thriving enterprise in the rundown, whitewashed, splintered wood monstrosity that sits near Tipp Roller Mill.

It was built in the late 1880s as a factory to make buggy whips, best known for their use in driving horse-drawn carriages.

At the time, carriages were the primary method of land transportation and having a Buggy Whip accessory was a symbol of status.

Ironically, when automobiles became available, their salesforce was known to drive them during sales pitches. This only made their targeted clientele want a car instead.

The historic building is currently owned by the same family who owns the Tipp Roller Mill and the Hotel Gallery.

Its upper floor collapsed in 2020 and brought a quick move to secure it from injuring anyone.

Owners are still renovating it in 2024, taking their time to make sure it is done right.

There are no specific plans known for the building’s use, except to preserve the last of only two canal-era industrial buildings still standing in Tipp City.

The second one, of course, is Tipp Roller Mill.

CHAFFEE OPERA HOUSE was built in 1849 as a general store until the original owner decided to pursue the distilling path instead.

He sold the building to Sidney Chaffee in 1852 who remodeled and expanded it.

The top two floors were used as an opera house named Chaffee’s Hall, but its last show was in 1913.

The ground floor was converted into a skating rink in 1881, and hosted graduations and sporting events for the local basketball team until 1917 when the new school and gymnasium was built.

It hosted a variety of organizations like the Tipp Rotary Club, The Grand Army of the Republic, Women’s Relief Corp, and a church until its use dwindled in he 1940s.

Chaffee’s Brewhouse opened in 2012 and we were actually there that week for the Mum Festival.

It was fun to catch a glimpse inside after it had been mostly closed for decades.

THE TIPP CITY ENGINE BUILDING / MUNICIPAL BUILDING was built in 1874 and housed a 100-gallon fire engine as well as the town’s police and fire departments, the town hall, a post office branch, jail, the first city library, and many community gatherings until the 1990s when the municipal offices relocated.

It has been the home of Tipp Monroe Community Services since then.

THE MONROE TOWNSHIP BUILDING has one of the prettiest designs because of the fancy brickwork over its entrance.

This building was first used as a theatre in 1915 and hosted graduations, film screenings, and other events. Eventually it hosted a barber shop, bank, and dentist office.

The 300-pound, 2.5 feet wide clock was a gift from Sidney Chaffee, of Chaffee Opera House, who tragically drowned later on.

It is used for city offices now, and you can still hear the clock chime every day at noon.

The TIPP HISTORICAL MUSEUM sits where the first Tipp City Post Office operated between 1929-1939.

Mrs. N. O. Johnson was the first person to mail a letter there and Erie Pearson bought the first stamp.

The museum opened in 1991 and is also the home base for the Tippecanoe Historical Society.

You can learn all of this and more by visiting the museum, and check out these historical photos of Tipp!

BROWSE AWHILE BOOKS is one of my favourite shops in Tipp City, and its home is in the historic McConnaughey & Young Building.

It was constructed in 1871 for use as a manufacturing plant and later used as a dry goods store, millinery shop, and phone company.

Parts of the building were converted into a hardware store and Fite’s Bakery (later called Tipp Pastry Shop), a denim jeans boutique, upholstery store, wallpaper store, barber shop, studio, and even apartments.

Browse Awhile Books was founded in 1980 and relocated to its new home in the 4,000 square feet building in 1990.

They have proudly been sourcing the area’s need for rare, antique, specialty, and even the most modern used books ever since.

This site is also one of the most haunted in the Midwestern region of the US.

Some of the country’s most reputable news and entertainment media sources have published articles about the shop, so it is not just a ghost hunting niche or local legend.

If you care to learn more about the various slappings, book throwings, terrifying encounters, and other hauntings of Browse Awhile, check out this BibliOccult article.

Author Greg Enslen has a series of books called the Frank Harper Mysteries that take place in Cooper’s Mill, which is actually a fictional version of Tipp City.

He only changes the names of each location in the book slightly, but Tippers will know right away where each home, business, park, and other places he writes about are in real life.

Fellow Twin Peaks fans will enjoy a few familiar references and the general vibe of the series, as well as its companion faux-tour brochure for Cooper’s Mill that you will receive once you join Enslen’s newsletter.

If you love literary tours like me, here is a companion guide to six of those locations.

You can ask the folks at Browse Awhile to help you purchase the books or you can easily find them online.

HOTEL GALLERY was originally a hotel in the 1850s, with more than two dozen rooms and only one communal bathroom.

It changed names and ownership, from the Carles House to City Hotel, and others throughout the years until purchased by the family who owns the Hotel Gallery business now.

I came across a story about a carnival business owner named Clyde Livingston who shot himself in the lobby for unknown reasons, and I suspect that is not the only tragic or scary part of this historic building’s past.

My mother and I once froze in place, on separate sides of the room, while shopping upstairs.

We immediately told each other we had a strange sense that something bad happened there, but could not find any other history about it.

I will update this if anyone at the Tipp Historical Society has the scoop.

Hotel Gallery is a beautiful space and has any type of pottery, home good, rug, antique item, body care product, holiday novelties, and other gifts you could ever dream of.

THE BURWELL BUILDING was a three-story building that was constructed in 1880 by the Burwell family who lived upstairs and operated a studio and various businesses on the ground floor.

The Tin Peddler set up shop there in the late 1990s and is still going strong today.

Ralph Burwell was a photographer and is credited for sourcing most of the known images of Tipp City while he was alive and living there.

His collection is available for viewing through the Tippecanoe Historical Society.

THE MORRISON BUILDING started as Morrison’s Restaurant before it became Prillers Restaurant, Tipp Tavern, Paddy’s (where my dad also worked), and finally Harrison’s Restaurant.

Harrison’s opened in 2005 and was named after President Harrison aka “Tippecanoe.”

Stop by between lunch and dinner rushes to view the historic photos now framed along the walls.

You can learn a lot about the town’s history between these images and the random people who will stop and comment on it, telling you stories of their own.

It is just as valuable as any other history museum or gallery.

We devoured their Reuben spring rolls and perfectly crisp fish and chips.

THE KOOP BUILDING was built in 1869 by the Koop family who operated their boot and shoe factory there until the early 1900s.

After that, a plumbing and electrical shop, bakery, and creamery were among the businesses that occupied the space until Sam & Ethel’s Restaurant opened in 1957.

In 1969, the family business was passed on to the couple’s son and he kept it running until it closed in 1999, but the closure was temporary.

A local woman bought and reopened the business within a year or so, then sold it to its current owner who had done a bit of remodeling.

Sam and Ethel’s is a tiny little restaurant that typically has a wait list, so make sure you get on it.

Legends swirl about celebrities such as Liberace and Johnathan Winters making appearances over the years.

They specialize in homestyle cooking and feature a lot of Southern-style dishes one might describe as “stick to your ribs” meals.

My dad bought his first cup of coffee ever at their counter, when he was a teen in the 80s. It was sort of a rite of passage as he had breakfast with his new coworkers and fellow plumbers.

Any place that stays fondly in my dad’s memories like that is sure to cozy up into mine as well.

On a different day, we devoured their home fries and breakfast toast sandwiches.

THE TIMMER BUILDING was once a drugstore, phone company, and a grocery before that.

Coldwater Café first opened in 1994 in the Vocke Building on this same block, and they are now located in the old bank building.

My favourite new place is Tipp City Pizza, though. Whew.

Even the wall paper is tantalizing.

The famous Gem City (aka Dayton) Ice Cream mural can be found on the Timmer Building exterior, and the See Yourself in Tipp mural is located in its patio section.

While we are on the topic of food and drinks in Tipp City, I want to mention a few other places I like even though I do not know much about the history of the buildings they are in.

Seven Sisters Apothecary opened in 2025 and I fell in love with the shop right away.

As an herbalist and medicine/tea maker myself, I love talking to others who make their own and can tell you all about what they make it with. T* and I have both studied under a mutual mentor, among others. I wish them the absolute best of luck!

Golden Leaf Tea Room also offers tea and herbs, but has recently moved outside of downtown. Its former home on Main Street is now home to Sip Coffee.

 

Sweet Adaline’s Bakery has the perfect small town bakery vibe, though they recently relocated also.

Trophy Nut and Rad Candy Company are two more treat shops you will only find in Tipp City.

TIPP AFTER DARK
The nightlife crowd in Tipp City does not usually get too rowdy, but you can bet on finding them at a handful of places including Hinder’s Sports Bar.

I was once at a dentist office in Tennessee having my teeth cleaned and the hygienist had been asking me about my plans for the weekend.

When I told her I was going to Tipp City, she stopped working on me and started gushing about how much she loves Hinder’s and craves their wings all the time.

She said she has really been thinking about taking a day off soon just to drive up there and sit and eat as many as she could stand.

Doris, I really hope you do it.

Tony’s Bada-Bing is the closest thing to a late night pub Tipp City has, but you can visit Buckeye Distillery during the day or evening.

DORA
Since we are talking about booze now, let me tell you about Tipp City’s Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area.

DORA is a designated open-container space where you can pick up a cup inside a local establishment and enjoy your drink anywhere within DORA parameters.

Tipp City was the first in Miami County to permit a DORA, a concept which has spread nationwide since then.

I would not say that Tipp City is as liberated as Bourbon Street, but I do not know many other cities that allow open containers across so much of its downtown area on an ongoing basis.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Aside from the Tipp City Mum Festival, there a few other events you should plan your visit around like Vintage in the Village, Tippecanoe Market Days, Yuletide Winter’s Gathering, and the Tipp City Arts Council’s Canal Music Fest.

SHOPPING
If you are super into shopping, be sure to check out Fox & Feather Trading Co., the Tipp Cyclery, Bloomora Botanicals, Birch, Bodega Wine, Bella Gray Market, and The Clothesline after perusing the Hotel Gallery.

If you especially enjoy architecture and unique homes, you will love cruising or walking around downtown Tipp City.

I remember being a kid and feeling so delighted every time I saw the house in both photos, above and below.

Many of the homes along Main Street are Victorian, Queen Anne, even some Tudors and miscellaneous styles.

Some are even old churches and city buildings that have been remodeled into personal homes, like the one below.

Consider me green with envy.

WHAT ELSE?
Tipp City has several outdoor attractions like the Carriage Hill Metropark, the Miami County Bike Trail, the 37-feet high Charleston Falls, and Honey Creek Preserve.

Mustang fans will love visiting the Gale Haldernman Mustang Museum Barn, not only for its collection but because Halderman is credited for drafting the first designs of the iconic cars.

In the area for a while? Follow me to Dayton’s Oregon District, Old North, St. Anne’s Hill, South Park, Wright-Dunbar, Fire Blocks, & Huffman District neighbourhoods.

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