NELSONVILLE, Ohio — A WSAZ feature this week focuses on Athens County and the city of Nelsonville, where local history and seasonal tourism intersect.
Stuart’s Opera House, described in the report as a public square landmark, dates to 1879 and continues to host events regularly. According to the station, the venue has multiple performances of the musical Reefer Madness scheduled this month. Adam Remnant, the opera house’s director of arts education, told WSAZ that the building sustains a sense of atmosphere and history, and he noted the experience of entering a structure more than a century old that remains active.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway also draws attention, especially in autumn when riders seek fall foliage, WSAZ reported. The railway has operated excursions since the 1970s, and a restoration effort lasting two and a half years on a 1950s diesel locomotive has just wrapped up. The line first reached the area in 1869 for coal transport, according to the report. Isaac Miller, the railway’s marketing director and a conductor, told WSAZ that the traditional boarding call is not technically necessary but that he uses it for the show. Halloween-themed train rides are scheduled for later this month, with costumes encouraged.