What in the world is Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio? The village was an idea by a man named Erie Sauder. His vision was to create a village with old structures from the past so that when people visit, they are taken back in time to see life in the region of northwestern Ohio. Visitors would see people in period attire doing crafts like woodworking, sewing, weaving, tin making and so many other crafts. As the world around the region was changing, Erie Sauder wanted every visitor to never forget the ways and the values of life in the United States of America. When you visit the Sauder Village, you will have that experience. You will see 75 structures plus a museum telling the stories of yesteryear and farms where you can pet the animals. Even though Erie Sauder has passed on, his granddaughter continues to run the Sauder Village the same way her grandfather did. This includes the building of the brand new 1920’s Main Street Village that you can enjoy. If you are anywhere in the northwestern region of Ohio or in southern part of Michigan or in the northeastern region of Indiana, you will want to make your way to Sauder Village.
Some of you are saying, “This must be one great place. It is great that this man created this village to remind people of what America was like and to remind everyone of what having good values can do for us and for generations to come. There is one problem. You see, you have structures and crafts people, but no trains. Therefore, I do not see the value of visiting Sauder Village.”
So, you think that it is a waste of time to visit Sauder Village because there is no railroad here. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sauder Village.
As mentioned, Sauder Village is a living history village that is a reminder of America’s past. It consists of many structures plus a frontier homestead, a Native American camp, and a few farms plus a museum. Another great feature is the Erie Express.
What is the Erie Express? Added to the village in 2006, the Erie Express is a miniature train pulled by a replica C. P. Huntington steam locomotive. You board the train, and you ride through swamp land and open fields. You arrive at the Elmira Depot which is part of the new 1920’s Main Street. You take a tour of the old depot and see the waiting room and the ticket office. Well, you get back on the train and ride again. Of everything you see at the Sauder Village, it may be the highlight of your visit.
Now, what was that about there being no railroads at Sauder Village? Now you have a reason to come here.
As mentioned, the Sauder Village is the creation of Erie Sauder, and the village remains in the family. The family continues to run the village the same way Erie would want to have it run. You will be taken back in time, and you will be disappointed when the village closes for the day because you will not want to leave. Along with the village, museum and train ride, the Sauder Village also has a restaurant, café, coffee shop, ice cream parlor, donut shoppe and a place where you can spend the night.
Sauder Village is located at 22611 Ohio Route 2 north of the town of Archbold. It is four miles south of the Ohio Turnpike (Interstates 80 and 90), eight miles north of U.S. Route 6 and ten miles south of U.S. Route 20. The living history village is open from May to December while the restaurants, the retails shops and the inn are open year-round. Parking is on site. You can get more information at https://saudervillage.org/. You can also read more into the life of Erie Sauder and into the creation of Sauder village, and if you have the time, are worth the time to read.
Make your way to the Sauder Village in Ohio. Come see Erie Sauder’s great creation. Come see a place where time stands still. Come ride the Erie Express and visit the Elmira Depot. The Sauder family would love to have you visit.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 