Malabar Farm State Park

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/malabar-farm-state-park

Just outside of Mansfield is a unique state park. It is probably the most movie related state park in Ohio, and the only working farm in the system. This park was once the home to a world famous author, whose world famous friends got married there. It was also one of the shooting locations for one of the most famous film made in Ohio.

In 1939, author Louis Bromfield built a large 32-room Western Reserve style house, known as the Big House, on 580 acres of land he had purchased in the Pleasant Valley area. The house and farm were famous from the beginning. Many of Louis’ famous friends would visit him and spend time working on the farm. On weekends, tours were given. On May 21, 1941, the most famous event at the farm would solidify its fame. On that day, Lauren Bacall married Humphrey Bogart in the Big House.

Twice daily, April through December, the park offers tours of the house. The tours are reasonably priced and can last from 75-90 minutes, depending on the group size. The tours visit almost every room of the house and give both the history of Louis Bromfield’s work, how he and his family lived at the farm, and insight into the wedding and other famous guest visits. It is a must-do while at the farm. Another must-do while at the farm is a tour of the farm. The hour-long wagon tours, offered May through October, are the best way to see the fields, a bit of the woods, and most of the harder to reach buildings. The tours talk about the history of the farm land, the out buildings, the ghost, and about what’s going on during the current season. The two tours are generally offered back to back and are started at the Big House. Visit the visitor center for details.

After the tours leave time to visit the farm. The state park is not the only park to once have been a farm, but is the only park that is a still working one. Near the Big House is the main barn. Here dances and other events are held through out the year. This is also where the animals of the farm reside. Traditional farm yard animals like goats, sheep, cattle, and more are on view for visitors to see. Around the barn large farm equipment and other workings of th site can be found. Along with the barn are many other small buildings used for farm work. The type of work and going-ons vary through out the year.

While the main attraction at the farm is called the Big House, the name is also a term used to describe large state prisons, like the nearby Ohio State Reformatory, where The Shawshank Redemption was famously filmed. Around the area of the farm and prison is the Shawshank Trail. This trail leads to filming locations outside of the prison. One site, the cabin in the opening of the movie, is located at Malabar farm. Just outside of the farm is the location of the tree, which has since been removed due to damage. The site is on private property but is best viewed from a pull off on the state park grounds.

Outside of the Shawshank trail, the house, and the farm are many acres of hiking trails, hills, springs, ponds and other attractions. One of the lesser known but very popular trails is Butternut Trail. The mile long trail leads to Butternut Cave, a small cave in a wood outcropping of rocks. A few other small trails run through out the park. There also is one long distance 7 mile bridle trail, with hiking permitted. The visitor center and gift shop has a few exhibits on the type of farming done at the park, the nature, and history, of the area, and more. It should be the first stop on a visit to the park.

While not as outdoor focused as other state parks, Malabar State Park has enough stuff to fill a day of history, hiking, learning, and good times.

Tip: Mohican State Park is only a few miles away and offers lodging, food, and more hiking trails.