Weekend Getaway: Defiance

BY ANNIE LUST

At the spot where the Auglaize and Maumee rivers meet, Defiance offers visitors an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. The location was originally Fort Defiance, founded in 1794 by General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Nearly three decades later, long after the fort was abandoned, the city of Defiance was laid out on the same spot and named in honor of the former military stronghold. Two centuries since its founding, Defiance offers modern amenities for visitors while honoring its long history.

SHOP

Whether you’re window shopping or buying specialty gifts, Defiance will not disappoint you. Browse Fort Defiance Antiques for furniture, books, toys and military memorabilia. You’ll also find vintage furniture at Abode Furnishings, particularly their monthly market. If you want something extra special, visit The Fifth Stitch for all the yarn you can imagine or Linda’s Glass Gallery for stained glass materials or custom orders. You can find a little bit of everything at Ruby Rose Market.

EXPLORE

History lovers have plenty to explore in the area. Defiance County has several public sites on the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Defiance Public Library was built in 1904 with funds from a Carnegie Grant. This beautiful building is located on the site of Fort Defiance along the Maumee and Auglaize riverbanks and allows visitors to reflect on the county’s history. The rich history is evident as you cruise through Defiance in the architecture of beautiful historic homes and buildings that span Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Prairie, Craftsmen and Bungalow styles. A visit to Auglaize Village is a truly immersive historical experience. The historic village preserves the history of the men and women who carved a community out of the Great Black Swamp. Stroll through the 22 buildings, four farm museums, military museum, natural history museum and model railroad museum. They also offer plenty of special events, like the upcoming World War II reenactment. For a truly modern fun experience, visit the Putt-Putt Fun Center for go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, an indoor multi-game simulator, and putt-putt golf.

EAT

The toughest decision to make on a morning in Defiance is which place to select for a delicious breakfast. Step into the cozy atmosphere of Cabin Fever Coffee in the quaint downtown area for a signature latte. Another sweet place to begin your day is Meek’s Pastry Shop, which has a mouthwatering display of donuts and pastries. Visit Kissner’s Restaurant for a hearty breakfast or a delicious lunch. For dinner, try Sweetwater Chophouse for surf ‘n’ turf or Fired Stone Tavern for wood-fired pizza.

PRAY

The history of Catholicism in Defiance stretches back to 1841, when there were two Catholic families, and the first Mass was said in a home. By 1844, a small log building was erected as the first church in Defiance, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Within 30 years, the Catholic population had expanded enough to divide into two parishes: St. John the Evangelist, where German was the primary language spoken, and the newly founded St. Mary, where English was spoken. St. Mary Catholic Church opened its doors for the first Mass in 1876. The brick exterior was completed, but the interior would take another two decades to complete. The current St. John the Evangelist was constructed in 1896. In 2022, the parishes were twinned, with one pastor and one parochial vicar.