Sauder Historical Village - Part 5

Building #29 is the Holdeman Church.

This is an original church of the Church of God in Christ Mennonites (also called the Holdeman Church after founder John Holdeman).  You can learn more about the Mennonite faith as you visit this quiet building.  Many of the earliest settlers to present-day German Township Ohio were from the area of Europe known as the Alsace. They were Amish, a branch of the Anabaptist faith who followed the teachings of minister Jacob Amman.  Over time, many of those who settled here became more closely aligned with the Mennonite church, who followed the teaching of Menno Simon.  The Church of God in Christ Mennonite was a branch of the Mennonite church begun in the 1850s by John Holdeman.

Building #30 - Sawmill

The Sawmill runs occasionally on special event days, weather permitting.

1920s Main Street at Sauder Village

Few decades had the same impact on the American way of life as the 1920s. It was an era filled with exciting advancements in travel and communication, tremendous social change, and of course, roaring good times! Now you can experience the twenties for yourself in a family-friendly environment at our 1920s Main Street. See how people in a typical Northwest Ohio town worked, how they spent their hard-earned leisure time, and how it’s all brought to life through personal stories, authentic reproduction buildings, historic artifacts, and immersive experiences.

Check out the Model T at the service station, and visit an old-time bank, office, barbershop, and doctor's office. Explore the jewelry store stocked with watches, clocks, dishes, and jewelry, and the hardware store filled from floor to tin ceiling.

At the shops on the west side of Main Street, you can stop in for a Charleston Chew at the candy store, a cherry phosphate and ice cream cone at the soda fountain, and enjoy a picture show at the theater!

Spend quality time together laughing, learning, connecting, and making history of your very own at Sauder Village!

Building #31 is the Livery.

Up until the advent and affordability of the automobile, the livery was an essential transportation service with the use of horse and carriage for out of town travelers and locals. The 1920s brought about irrevocable change for the livery industry. Learn more as you meet our horses and explore the livery complete with tack, blacksmith tools, and an office.

Garden outside the doctor's office.

Building #32 is Dr. McGuffin's office.

Dr. McGuffin built this office in nearby Pettisville in 1911. It features many of the medical instruments used by country doctors.

His actual doctor's bag he used when he doctored.

Everyone always gets their tonsils out when we visit.  Ha!

Building # 33 is the Rich Auto Dealership and Gas Station.

This reconstructed building highlights the sale and repair of the automobile, one of the most iconic inventions of the 20th century.

These cars are so cool!

Sales office.

Repair shop of the dealership.

The good ol' days.

Main Street West Side.

Between the livery and the west side of Main Street.

Building #54 is the Ohio Farm Bureau office.

Founded in 1919, some of the organization's early goals included providing electric service to rural areas, crop insurance, and helping pass legislation to assist farmers. Stop by this historic office to learn more about the role of the Farm Bureau in the early 1920s.