Ohio History Journal

614       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

STATE PARKS

As Chairman of the Committee on Parks, I have the follow-

ing report to submit. Acting under the instruction of our Presi-

dent, Mr. Arthur C. Johnson, I visited the following properties

during the year:

Logan Elm Park

Mound City Park

Fort Laurens Park

Schoenbrunn Park

Seip Mound Park

Serpent Mound Park

Fort Ancient Park

Campus Martius

Observing the magnitude of the task assigned to me in try-

ing to visit and direct improvements in all of the parks under

the control of the Archaeological Society, I was advised by the

President to devote my efforts during this year to two or three

of these parks, to get all possible work done in them and then

at a later period to take up the work at the others. It was de-

cided, after a conference with officers of the Society, that Fort

Ancient, Serpent Mound and, if possible, Fort Laurens, be given

attention this year.

Fort Ancient. This prehistoric fortification, considered by

many archaeologists to be of first importance in Ohio, is situated

in Warren County about six miles east of Lebanon. Several

roads lead from the Three C's Highway to this Park, so that

it is easily reached, being about three and one-half miles from

this highway. Fort Ancient is situated on a plateau overlooking

a sharp bend in the Little Miami River, above which it rises

to a height of two hundred and seventy feet, affording a mag-

nificent view of the river and valley below.

The fortifications consist of an irregularly shaped wall

averaging about ten feet in height. The fort is virtually divided

into two equal sections by a constriction in its formation near

the center and a wall extends across it at this point. There are

several small mounds within the inclosure. An interesting fea-

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Minutes of Forty-second Annual Meeting        615

 

ture of this ancient work is a stone pavement located outside the

eastern wall. The approximate linear extent of the wall is about

three and one-half miles.

This park is visited by thousands of people each year and

for this reason is entitled to more attention and better care than

has been given it in the past. The first visit revealed a condi-

tion of neglect. Much work was necessary to place this park

in a condition fit for tourists and visitors. Upon our return

to Columbus we consulted our President and Treasurer. As a

result of this conference it was decided to employ a new care-

taker. This has been done, and judging from the work that has

been accomplished, we have made a wise selection from upward

of two hundred applicants for the place.

There were some funds available from the previous legisla-

tive appropriations which were used in painting the house, which

had not been done for over ten years. Fencing, hardware and

supplies were purchased, so that none of the remaining fund was

allowed to lapse. The new caretaker, Mr. J. W. Satchell, has

moved into the house and already has accomplished a great many

improvements. Accumulations of waste material and debris have

been removed. Brush and dead trees have been cleared away.

The fields have been mowed and altogether the park presents

a far better prospect than it has for many years. It was neces-

sary to purchase a new mowing machine and a lawn mower, and

these have been used to good advantage.

The roadway has been improved insofar as the Society's

finances permit. In this connection, I wish to state that we have

promise of fine cooperation from the State Highway Depart-

ment as the following letter will indicate:

SEPTEMBER 29, 1927.

MR. H. W. WALSH,

Court House,

Cincinnati, Ohio.

DEAR MR. WALSH:

Please advise what progress you have made with the Warren County

Commissioners with reference to the improvement of the road in the State

Park at Fort Ancient concerning which I wrote you under date of July 30,

1927.

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516       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

Dr. F. C. Furniss of the State Archaeological and Historical Society

has again been referred to this Department by Governor Donahey.

Very truly yours,

G. F. SCHLESINGER,

Director of Highways and Public Works.

GFS :M

CC--DR. FURNISS.

The barnyard has been cleared of refuse and the barns are

being repaired. The residence has been replastered and dec-

orated within and is in good condition. The expenses of the re-

pairs and decoration of the residence is borne by a special ap-

propriation from the Ohio State Emergency Board.

The roadway leading from the Three C's Highway west of

Clarksville is under reconstruction at this time.

New pumps have been placed in the wells and there is now

an adequate supply of good drinking water. The shelter house

is to be painted and repaired and sanitary toilets will be built.

The Department of Highways has placed in the park a number

of painted barrels similar to those you have observed along the

highway and picnickers are cooperating in keeping the park clean.

The rear inclosure will be plowed and sown to grass. Signs will

be provided by the Ohio State Highway Department through

the courtesy of Mr. Kirk and these will be placed in appropriate

positions within the park.

We have tried to make the best use of available funds but

find our appropriations inadequate to carry on many of the

needed improvements.   However, we feel well satisfied with

the progress that has been made and already we can visualize

one of the finest and best kept parks in Ohio.

Professor B. F. Prince, Chairman of the local committee

on Fort Ancient, has made a good suggestion regarding a second

entrance with a roadway circling close to the residence of the

caretaker. This will be a great convenience to visitors who seek

information.

The National flag should be flown near the entrance to this

park. In fact, each of our state parks should be provided with

the National emblem and this should be unfurled whenever the

weather permits.

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Minutes of Forty-second Annual Meeting        617

 

As your Committeeman, I visited this park eight times

within the year and will make another trip of inspection before

the close of this year.

Serpent Mound Park. This park is situated in Adams

County sixteen miles south of Hillsboro and four miles north

of the village of Peebles. It comprises an area of about seventy

acres and is famous for the remarkable Serpent Mound effigy.

The serpent measures about thirteen hundred feet in length and

rises some four feet in height above the surrounding ground.

It is well formed and proportioned. It lies on a gently rolling

field, rising above a ravine some ninety feet in height. The

origin and purpose of this interesting earthwork is still a mys-

tery, has excited the curiosity of thousands and has enlisted the

attention of many famous archaeologists. Upward of thirty

thousand persons visited the park last year.

I visited Serpent Mound Park on numerous occasions

within the year and after making a thorough survey of it, au-

thorized some changes and improvements. A steel safety fence

has been erected on the rock ledge near the head of the serpent

as a safeguard against accidents, as the cliff at this point is

ninety feet high. A new mowing machine and lawn mower

have been purchased and provided for this park and the in-

closure is being mowed regularly. One new well has been drilled

and another deepened. New pumps have been put in and there

is now an abundant supply of fine drinking water. A new toilet

has been erected; also a garage and shed to house tools and ma-

chinery.  The roadway has been improved and the Highway

Department has placed barrels in convenient places as recep-

tacles for refuse. This park is in excellent condition and is being

well cared for by Mr. Guy Wallace, the caretaker.

I conferred with Professor Cole, the local chairman of the

Committee on Serpent Mound, on one occasion, and discussed

with him plans for improvements necessary for this park. Some

trees should be planted in suitable locations. A highway guard-

rail has been erected for the safety of visitors. The work of im-

provement will be carried on as rapidly as possible with the

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618       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

available funds, and this will continue to be one of the real at-

tractions among Ohio's archaeological parks.

Fort Laurens Park. This park is situated near Bolivar,

Tuscarawas County, Ohio, six miles from Zoar and about twelve

miles from Massillon. It is the site of the oldest fort built by

white settlers in Ohio and comprises about twenty-two acres. The

park has been much neglected for years. However, activities

have begun, a resident caretaker has been employed and the

work of clearing, plowing and cleaning up the inclosure is under

way. The residence of the caretaker has been remodeled and

repaired and is in first class condition. There was an appropria-

tion of two thousand dollars for this park for landscaping and

shrubbery. In this connection I went to the Agricultural Ex-

periment Station at Wooster and conferred with Mr. Secrest,

the State Forester. Arrangements have been made with the

Forestry Department to secure from the State, varieties of ever-

green and hardwood trees and shrubs sufficient to do the neces-

sary planting in this park. Also, enough nursery stock has been

promised to start a small nursery in this park to be developed

and cared for by the caretaker.

Fort Laurens can be converted into a very attractive and

interesting place but it will require another year before much can

be accomplished. This park will receive our earnest attention

during the coming year.

Schoenbrunn Park. This old Moravian missionary settle-

ment is situated two miles west of New Philadelphia and is now

under reconstruction. An engineer's survey has been made and

records studied. A complete restoration of the old log school

house, church and dwellings is planned and is already under

construction. A liberal appropriation from the Legislature makes

this possible. This work is under supervision of a local com-

mittee of able men who are qualified and anxious to push the

work to completion. Additional land has been purchased and

the present program, if carried out, will make this park a most

interesting attraction. It is our intention to visit this park at in-

tervals during the coming year and to render whatever assistance

we can from the Society to the local committee.

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Minutes of Forty-second Annual Meeting       619

 

Logan Elm Park. The work at this park has been nicely

handled by General Florence, Chairman of the local committee.

Improvements have been made. The park is kept clean and the

Logan Elm is being properly cared for. Sanitary toilets have

been constructed and, altogether, this park provides a very pleas-

ing appearance. General Florence has spent considerable time

and effort in bringing about this work. This park is visited by

many tourists and is the scene of many meetings and celebra-

tions by various historical societies.

Mound City Park. The work at Mound City is well under

way under the supervision of Mr. Spetnagel and Mr. Shetrone.

Campus Martius. I visited Campus Martius at Marietta

and inspected the work of restoration of the Rufus Putnam

house which is being performed under the direction of Miss

Willia D. Cotton and the local committee. The work on this

site has been ably performed. New timbers have been placed

within the structure to strengthen the walls, ceiling and roof.

A new roof has been put on. The interior has been restored in-

telligently by treatment in plaster and stain, and the house will

soon be in shape to receive visitors. This is one of the most im-

portant historical sites within the State of Ohio and is visited by

thousands of tourists from all over the country. The lot just

north of the block house should be purchased and beautified.

This would lend much to the attractiveness of the surroundings.

The park situation in Ohio is one that should be carefully

studied. If the State of Ohio is going to continue to acquire

lands for park purposes it should see that these parks are prop-

erly maintained. The importance of these historic spots, com-

memorating as they do, the great events that made possible a

great commonwealth, cannot be over-estimated; and Ohio has

many of these. Most of the sites should be preserved in as nearly

their original condition as possible. Only such buildings should

be erected and improvements made as are necessary for the con-

venience, comfort and enlightenment of the numerous visitors

who frequent these places.

The Chairman of your committee recommends that a com-

mission of three, two from the membership of this Society, be

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620       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

appointed by the Governor to make a complete survey of all the

historical and archaeological parks and sites, to outline a pro-

gram for their improvement and maintenance and to submit an

estimate of the amount that should be appropriated by the Legis-

lature for the purpose. Our experience with the work of caring

for these parks has shown us that in most instances even the

essential needs of these parks cannot be adequately met because

of insufficient funds.

Respectfully submitted,

F. C. FURNISS,

Chairman of Parks Committee.

 

EARLY OHIO SCHOOL BOOKS

The past year has been one of interesting activity and sub-

stantial progress. Much remains to be done. The collection of

early school books, many of which are now rare, requires per-

sistence and patience.

The outstanding feature of the work of the past year is the

acquisition of practically a complete set, all copyrights, of the Mc-

Guffey Readers. These were presented to this Society by the

McGuffey Society of Columbus, Ohio. There are one hundred

and twenty-eight volumes, some of the same being duplicates.

The presentation was made at a joint session of the McGuffey

Society with this Society. A complete report of this meeting

has been published in the QUARTERLY. The kindly acceptance

of these books by your president was greatly appreciated by the

McGuffey Society. Your committee believes these books to be

of historical value.

Your committee now brings to you, through the kindness of

the author, a complete set of the works of Prof. Frank V. Irish,

well known to all of us. These books were provided upon the

solicitation of your committee, to-wit:

American and British Authors.

Grammar and Analysis by Diagrams.

Orthography and Orthoepy.

Treasured Thoughts.

To the collection already made of the works of Alfred Hol-

brook and his pupils, the following have been added:--

Normal Methods, by Alfred Holbrook, copyright 1857, pre-

sented by Dr. John M. Dunham, of the Society, a pupil of Alfred

Holbrook in the early days of the school.

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