Zoar

Zoar is a historic village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, containing numerous preserved buildings from the 19th century including residential homes, workshops, and community structures. Tree-lined streets showcase the deliberate layout of the original settlement.

German separatists founded Zoar in 1817 as a communal settlement based on shared resources and self-sufficiency. The community operated under these principles until it disbanded in 1898.

The settlement reflects German heritage through seasonal celebrations where visitors see traditional cooking and period crafts practiced as they were generations ago. These living traditions help people understand how the community once functioned day to day.

The Zoar Store and Visitor Center offers maps and information about self-guided tours of the historic district from March through December. Visitors can pick up materials to explore the site at their own pace and learn about specific buildings.

The village garden features a central spruce tree surrounded by circular flower beds, which the original community designed as a religious interpretation of the Book of Revelation. This carefully planned layout reveals how deeply religious beliefs shaped the spatial design of the settlement.

GPS coordinates: 40.61423,-81.42234

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:41