Archers Fork, Ohio facts for kids
Archers Fork is a small, quiet place in Washington County, Ohio. It's not a city or town, but a community where people live. It's located in the eastern part of the county, surrounded by beautiful nature.
Exploring Archers Fork's Nature
Archers Fork is in a very hilly and forested area. This part of Ohio is known as the Appalachian Plateau. Imagine being surrounded by tall trees and rolling hills! The community sits between two ridges. Many small streams meet here, forming the main stream called Archers Fork.
Long ago, people found coal in these hills. But the coal layers were too thin. It wasn't worth digging them up to sell. So, the area stayed mostly natural and green.
A Look Back at Archers Fork's Past
The name "Archers Fork" comes from the nearby stream. That stream was named after an early pioneer. Local stories say this pioneer, named Archer, moved to this remote area. He wanted to avoid trouble and lived with someone else in a hollowed-out sycamore tree. But by the time the first permanent settlers arrived, Archer and his companion were gone.
The first person to settle permanently here was James Cady. A stream called Cady's Run is named after him. James Cady was born in Vermont in 1779. He fought in the War of 1812. James worked as a teamster, driving wagons. He was married to Elizabeth Chandler and they had five children.
On January 8, 1818, James Cady and his family traveled from the Ohio River. They settled in this remote valley, next to Archers Fork. The second family arrived the next spring. Over the next few decades, more settlers came to Archers Fork.
In 1828, a sawmill was built. This mill helped cut wood for buildings. Then, in 1832, a gristmill was built. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. Around 1835, many German Americans started moving into the Ohio Valley. A good number of them settled in Archers Fork.
A post office opened in Archers Fork in 1874. It helped people send and receive mail. The post office stayed open until 1949.
Fun Outdoors in Archers Fork
Archers Fork is a great place for outdoor adventures! It has many popular trails for hiking and backpacking. The community is located inside Wayne National Forest. This means there are lots of trails through the thick forests and rugged hills.
If you love backpacking, Archers Fork offers some of the best opportunities in Ohio. The Archers Fork Trail, Scenic River Trail, and Greenwood Trail are popular spots. People who love nature and outdoor activities come from all over the state to enjoy these trails.
