The Licking County Courthouse in downtown Newark is the centerpiece of the city’s town square. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

In this week’s episode of Dusty Tires on the Road, we explore a slice of Licking County, including downtown Newark, the county seat, and State Route 13 north to Utica.

Downtown Newark’s renovated town square that surrounds its stately courthouse is impressive with roundabouts on each corner; we’ll also make stops at The Works museum and the Midland Theatre.

Just outside downtown Newark, we’ll drive through the Hudson Historic District of Victorian era houses and then north on SR 13 and into the countryside. On SR 13 we’ll pass through the towns of Vanatta and St. Louisville, and then to Utica, including Velvet Ice Cream’s Ye Olde Mill just outside of town.

Places of interest within Utica include Watt’s Restaurant and Mill Street, a wedding and special event venue. The drive concludes past Branstool Orchards on US 62 and into Martinsburg.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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