The new Investigation Discovery documentary "Vanishing Women" aired last Monday, the 6th, about six missing women in Chillicothe. With Chillicothe being my hometown it pains me to hear about the reality that is occurring in my hometown. While this documentary is shining negativity onto my beloved hometown, I would like to spend some time to inform you of the things Investigation Discovery left out about this small town.
First I feel like I should give some background information about Little ole Chillicothe. Most people think Columbus has been and always will be our states capital. Little do they know Chillicothe was Ohio's first and third capitals. While this is a minor aspect in history, it is still an aspect of this little towns history. When one drives through the town for the first time they often complain about "the chillicothe smell", while it might smell awful to some, it is the smell that tells me I have ended my four hour drive home from school. The only reason the smell even exists is because the world needs paper, and Chillicothe just so happens to be the home of a paper mill since 1930! Chillicothe is also home to Kenworth Trucking, The Ross County Fair, The Chillicothe Paints and many hometown restaurants and stores.
For those who are baseball fans, Chillicothe might mean something. It is the founding city of the Frontier league, now known as the Prospect League. The Prospect League is a baseball league that utilizes college baseball players during the summer in an attempt to get them noticed in the big leagues. The team's home turf resides at The VA Memorial Stadium, which was at one time, the only completely turf field in the league. A Chillicothe Paints game is always a great time. Great food, great people, and Crazy Horse is always in the mood to party! Even if one cannot make it to a game they can catch it on the air or watch it online!
Finding something to eat in Chillicothe is never difficult. Chillicothe is actually known for a few of our restaurants. The list of food I am about to name off can only be experienced in Chillicothe. Casa Del Taco, the home of the taco, is by far, without a doubt, better than Chipotle. Coming from me that means a lot considering I consume Chipotle weekly. Sumburger is way better than Five Guys, which coincidentally we also have. If you come to Chillicothe without eating a Sumburger that is your fault and you are missing out. Carl's Townhouse is a hidden treasure here in Chillicothe. If you love breakfast, they make a mean one! I cannot leave out one of my favorite deli's, "Grinders". While they may have weird hours, I would not last the summer without their homemade potato chips and sweet tea! Crispie Cream donuts, with a "C" not a "K". These donuts are a golden gift from God himself. Krispie Kream with a "K" has nothing on these.
A few new hometown stores have opened since I have been in college. Market No. 9 is one of the cutest little shops I have ever been in as well as, Totem Supply. Rōst Coffee is brand new and while I have not had the chance to go inside yet, I love my coffee and will be visiting soon! Downtown has more shopping available and the only way to find out is to come see it for yourself!
The city has a historic building called the Carlisle Building, it is located in the heart of downtown Chillicothe. This building has been through a lot since it was built in the 1800's including a fire in 2003. It has been recently renovated to hold apartments for Adena Medical Residents as well as house offices.
The Ross County Fair is the place to be in August. With the largest number of campers at Ohio fairs, all of Ross County is literally in one place. Every year on Tuesday of the fair the Ross County Jr Fairboard holds Jr. Fair Night, the night showcasing lip sync battles, outhouse races, and a pie auction! The night is always concluded with a calf scramble, calves that are caught are used by the individual for the next years 4H or FFA project. To give one an idea of this event I have included a picture, but, the experience is something that can only be fully experienced once attended. Even if you aren't into animals, the Ross County Fair is the place to be.
While the city has become notorious for drugs, there is so much more to enjoy. The hills, hiking Buzzards Roost, the beautiful farm lands and back roads. Growing up here, I never knew there was a drug problem. The reality is that it is who you hang out with. I grew up on the good things in Chillicothe. The women that went missing were involved in drugs, giving the town I love a bad name. Just as I hope most parents have said, nothing good can come from drugs. The street in which most of the documentary is filmed, E 2nd Street, is not a bad place, at all. I work on that street and the only thing that happens is the occasional parking ticket. I want people to know that Chillicothe is not that bad of a place. Just like every other small town, we have problems. I love Chillicothe and everything it has to offer. If one were to decide to make a trip to Chillicothe I hope it was not because of the documentary, and it is because they want to see a town full of tradition and character.
