Field NotesOhio
Upper Falls in the Old Man's Cave gorge, Hocking Hills, with visitors on the rocks

An independent field guide · 365 places

The field guide to outdoor Ohio

Parks and forests, ancient mounds, caves, waterfalls and back roads, with the story behind each place and where to eat and fuel up nearby.
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  • 117parks & forests
  • 64ancient mounds
  • 34waterfalls
  • 40historic sites
  • 33road trips

Old Man's Cave, Hocking Hills · Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0

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Lake ErieWest Virginia36 places368 places813 places135 places523 places2321 places2124 places2416 places1613 places134 places418 places182 places217 places1710 places1014 places142 places27 places76 places613 places133 places34 places414 places143 places3Harrison Lake State Park2 places22 places22 places26 places64 places4

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Parks, forests & wildlife areas

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117 parks in 7 regions

World's Largest Gavel

Columbus · Franklin County
Giant object

A 12-by-30-by-15-foot steel gavel in a reflecting pool between two judicial buildings.

Size
12 by 30 by 15 feet
Setting
A reflecting pool between two judiciary buildings of the Ohio Judicial Center
Material
Steel

The story

Between two of the buildings of the Ohio Judicial Center, the home of the Supreme Court of Ohio, a giant steel gavel stands in a reflecting pool, billed as the world's largest. It is a joke that doubles as a symbol, the kind of thing you can see in a couple of minutes on a walk through downtown Columbus.

The map location is approximate.

Visiting information you can trust

Check before driving — this site is seasonal, approximate, privately run, or otherwise uncertain. Confirm hours and access with the official source above.
Content last reviewed
September 2026 — this is when Field Notes Ohio's content was last checked, not a live status.
Location confidence
Approximate — boundary or exact point not confirmed
Approximate location, use the address

Prices, hours, closures, campsite availability and trail conditions shown elsewhere on this page are not live — always confirm with the official source before you go.

Visiting

Status
Outdoor; downtown Columbus
Hours
Open to view from the sidewalk.
Cost
Free.
Phone
None
Please note
It is a courthouse complex; follow posted rules.
Address
Ohio Judicial Center, 65 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43215
DirectionsShow on the map

The pin on the map is approximate; use the address for directions.

Hours, prices and even the attractions themselves can change. Confirm before a long drive.

Parks nearby

Alum Creek State Park
About 15 miles · A big lake park near Columbus.
Open
Delaware State Park
About 25 miles · A lake and fort-history park.
Open

Road trips

Historic National Road (US 40)
A road trip that passes near this stop
Open

Related

Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery
A Union prison camp's cemetery, with more than 2,200 Confederate graves
Open

Details last checked 2026-09-22. Confirm hours and prices before you go.

Know a place that belongs here, or spotted something out of date? Email hello@fieldnotesohio.com.