Guernsey County has some remarkable hometown stories to tell. Two of the most famous belong to John Glenn, the astronaut who reached the stars, and William Boyd, the hometown boy who became Hollywood’s legendary Hopalong Cassidy.
Reach for the Stars with John & Annie Glenn
Long before John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, he was a small-town kid with roots in Cambridge who dreamed of flying. His wife, Annie, grew up nearby, and together they shared a remarkable life—including 73 years of marriage and a journey that took them from small-town Ohio to the national spotlight.
Step into their story at the John & Annie Glenn Museum in New Concord, where you can experience what life was like in 1962, the year John Glenn orbited Earth and learn more about Annie’s own inspiring journey. Then follow the John & Annie Glenn Heritage Trail, connecting 34 locations across two Southeast Ohio counties and bringing their extraordinary story to life.
Saddle Up with Hopalong Cassidy
The stars above aren’t the only place Guernsey County made its mark. Although William Boyd was born in a neighboring county, he grew up in Cambridge and attended school here before going on to become one of America’s most beloved Western stars as Hopalong Cassidy. After appearing in films throughout the 1930s and ’40s, he rode onto television screens in the 1950s and became a favorite with audiences across the country.
Follow the Hopalong Cassidy Trail through Historic Downtown Cambridge to discover his local story. See a colorful mural depicting Boyd’s journey from Hendrysburg to Hollywood, visit his bronze statue, explore the site of his former school where a memorial to the beloved cowboy stands and discover Hopalong Cassidy memorabilia displayed in the Cambridge/Guernsey County Tourist Information Center.
Follow in Their Footsteps
Ready to discover these hometown legends for yourself? Pick up a free John & Annie Glenn Heritage Trail brochure at the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, then set out to explore the local connections of two remarkable men whose journeys took them from Southeast Ohio to places few could have imagined—from the Wild West of Hollywood to the stars above.