The Harmar Post Office (1) helps to tell the story of the little village that began as the first military installation in the Northwest Territory in 1785, was settled as part of Marietta in 1788, seceded from the city in 1837, and finally rejoined Marietta through annexation in 1890. Here stands the post office that served Harmar Village in the tumultuous 1800s.

Harmar is home to several historic sites and museums, including the Children's Toy & Doll Museum (2) at 206 Gilman Avenue. The 1889 Queen Anne style home once belonged to George and Johanna Strecker. George was a prominent businessman and boilermaker who expanded his interests to include a flour mill. Johanna was the home's architect. The house was purchased by the museum founders in 1996. It hosts an impressive collection of antique dolls and vintage toys from all over the world. The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, May to October, from 1 to 4 pm.

The Fearing House (3) was built in 1847 by the son of early settlers. Active in business, education and politics, Henry Fearing was a member of the Whig party and an advocate for the Temperance Movement. Today his house stands as an example of middle class life during the Victorian Era. The museum was purchased by the Washington County Historical Society in 1974 and opened to the public in 1983. Tours of the house are available weekends from May through October or by special appointment.

Walking along the school playground offers a great view of the Harmar railroad mural painted on the train station by artist Glenn Dorshimer.

At the end of Fort Square, near the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, is the place where Fort Harmar (4) once stood. The stockade was established in 1785 to discourage squatters. However, it only served to embolden illegal settlers who mistakenly believed the military presence would prevent attacks from Native Americans. Fort Harmar soldiers battled Indians on two occasions. Today the site of the fort has been taken over by the river. A stone monument designates the site near Harmar Elementary School.

Overlooking the scenic Muskingum River, the 1829 home of Congressman Levi Barber (5) stands at 407 Fort Street. Barber was a surveyor, clerk of courts, aide to Governor Meigs, and the fourth president of the Bank of Marietta. The Federal style home remained in the Barber family for many generations. Across from the Barber House, a historical marker commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which traveled through Marietta in September 1803.

The James Whitney house (6) at 415 Fort Street belonged to a master shipbuilder who became Harmar's first mayor in 1837. He was engaged in the business of building ocean-going ships for international waters until his work was halted by the US Embargo Act of 1808. The Neo Georgian house was built in two parts with the rear constructed in 1833 and the front in 1847.

This portion of Fort Street provides a spectacular view of the Muskingum River and a unique historic railroad bridge. The Harmar Railroad Bridge (7) has provided a pedestrian link between downtown Marietta and Harmar Village since 1987 when a walkway was built on the crossing. The unusual railroad bridge was built with a span that turns by hand to allow the passage of larger boats. It was used by the railroad until 1962. The turnstile is still operational, requiring the efforts of several strong men to turn the bridge.

The oldest bank in Ohio, the Bank of Marietta, first conducted business in the home of David Putnam (8) at 519 Fort Street. Construction on the Federal style house was completed in 1805 with stone from nearby Harmar Hill. David Putnam was an active community member, director of Muskingum Academy and head of the Society for the Promotion of Good Morals during the Temperance Movement. The house remained a private residence through the 1980s. It now serves as an office building.

The home at 512 Fort Street (9) was completed in 1899 for Douglas and Mary Hart Pattin. A prominent businessman, Pattin was killed only two years later in a gas explosion at his machining plant. Also made with locally cut stone, the beauty of this home is in its details. Elaborate twin chimneys frame the roof and small hearts are carved into the entryway's pillars - a tribute to Mary. The house is currently occupied by a local advertising firm who earned a preservation award from the Ohio Historical Society for their work in sustaining the historic integrity of the home.

A mural on Putnam Avenue celebrates the history of Marietta and commemorates Ohio's bicentennial. The work was completed by local artist Geoff Schenkel with input from the community.

At the end of Putnam Avenue stands Harmar's crowning glory and one of Marietta's finest architectural achievements. Rising high above the village, The Anchorage (10) was designed by John Slocomb and built in 1859. Once called Putnam Villa, it was the home of Douglas and Eliza Putnam. Douglas, longtime secretary of Marietta College, was considered one of the area's wealthiest men. The Italianate style, 22-room house is constructed of sandstone blocks, which were quarried locally. In the 1960s, the structure was used as a nursing home. The Washington County Historical Society acquired the property in the 1990s. Volunteers are working to restore The Anchorage for future use as a museum.

The church at 301 Franklin Street (11) is the oldest surviving church building in Marietta. Originally, the Harmar Congregational Church, it has been occupied by the Open Door Baptist Church for many years. The main portion of the building was constructed in 1847 in Greek Revival style. The property for the church was donated by David Putnam and students from Marietta College donated the bell.

Historic Harmar Village features several unique stops including the Marietta Soda Museum, antique shops, and a vintage toy store housed in a railroad car. Fine Italian dining is available at Spagna's or for less formal fare, visit the Harmar Tavern where cold beverages are abundant. Browse quaint Harmar Village or cross the railroad bridge to enjoy Marietta's historic downtown district.

There are many, many more historic homes and notable architectural structures in Marietta. For more detailed information about many of them, read Jann Adams book Behind the Doors of Marietta.