Often overshadowed by its metropolitan neighbors of Cleveland and Akron, the small village of Seville is not complaining. There are plenty of things to do within the borders of this rural Ohio enclave less than an hour from the hustle and bustle of city life. Since being settled in 1816, the village has maintained its original charm, with dozens of period architectural buildings and historical sites.
Riding the Rails
- Discover the nostalgia of riding the rails in bygone eras with a visit to the Northern Ohio Railway Museum. View more than 40 pieces of railway memorabilia, including trolleys, streetcars, interurbans, a reconstructed carhouse and various freight cars. The Differential collection includes a 50-ton Toledo Edison electric locomotive built in 1924. Browse through historic photo archives and collectible railroad-themed books. Public walking tours are conducted on Saturdays from mid-May through October.
Supersize It
- The village of Seville stakes a claim to fame that rivals any community in the state, as home to the 19th-century "world's tallest couple." Martin Van Buren Bates and Anna Swan Bates, former circus curiosities measuring almost 8 feet tall each, made their home in Seville. Residents honor the "Giants of Seville" with an annual festival in late September. The Seville GiantFest beckons townspeople and visitors with old-fashioned games, a talent show, horse-drawn wagon tours, a giant-dog contest and Civil War-themed entertainment.
Flash to the Past
- Antiques are the unofficial shopping genre of Seville, with the Downtown Seville Antique Show every July drawing collectors by the droves. Seville Antiques Mall on Milton Street specializes in 18th- and 19th-century primitives, early American antiques, folk art, and original paint and finishes for artists. Stroll over to Main Street for a browse through the Funky Junk Boutique offerings of vintage and up-cycled goods, as well as custom jewelry and local art. Specialty art supplies include chalk paint and milk paint made in the USA.
Back to Nature
- The number of parks in Seville showcase the village's love for outdoor recreation, with four parks open to the public. Cy Hewit Park features three pavilions, a children's playground and multiple ball fields. Stanhope Park hosts events throughout the year and is home to the memorial statue that Martin Van Buren Bates commissioned to honor his wife Anna upon her death. Leohr Park draws the nature-loving crowd with a fishing lake, sledding hill and multiple nature paths. A walking path connects the park to the downtown area.
