Beaver Creek State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beaver Creek State Park
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Location	Columbiana County, Ohio, United States
Area	2,722 acres (1,102 ha)
Elevation	817 ft (249 m)
Established	1949
Administered by	Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Designation	Ohio state park
Website	Beaver Creek State Park

Beaver Creek State Park is a large park in Ohio, covering about 2,722 acres. It is a fun place for outdoor activities. The park is located in Columbiana County, Ohio, near the town of East Liverpool, Ohio. It sits along the banks of Little Beaver Creek. You can still see parts of the old Sandy and Beaver Canal here. The park is open all year for things like camping, boating, hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Park History: From Ancient Times to Today

Early People and Native Americans

People have lived in the Beaver Creek area for a very long time. The earliest known people were from the Clovis culture, about 10,000 years ago. Scientists have found old arrowheads, pottery, and knives nearby. These items show that ancient Paleoindian people lived here.

Later, different Indian tribes called this land home. The last tribes to live here were the Mingo and Wyandot Indians. They were later moved out by new settlers. An important event happened nearby involving a Mingo leader named Logan. This event helped start a conflict known as Dunmore's War.

First Settlers and the Canal

The first permanent white settler was John Quinn, a trapper, who arrived in 1790. Soon, more pioneers came. They cleared the forests and started farms in eastern Ohio.

The Sandy and Beaver Canal was a big project. It was 73 miles long and connected the Ohio and Erie Canal to the Ohio River. The canal had 90 locks to help boats move up and down hills. It was started in 1828 and finished in 1848. However, the canal had problems and stopped working in 1852. This happened when a dam broke, damaging a large part of it. You can still see parts of this historic canal in Beaver Creek State Park.

The Civil War and Park Creation

During the American Civil War, a Confederate general named John Hunt Morgan led a famous raid in 1863. He and his troops rode far north into Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. This was the farthest north any Confederate troops went during the war. Morgan's raid ended when he and his men had to surrender near what is now Beaver Creek State Park.

Beaver Creek State Park was officially created in 1949. It is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Fun Things to See and Do

Gaston's Mill and Pioneer Village

Gaston's Mill is a historic mill built in 1837. It is located on Little Beaver Creek. The mill has been fixed up and is open to visitors. You can see old milling equipment inside. The mill still works during certain times of the year. It grinds whole wheat flour, cornmeal, and buckwheat flour.

Next to the mill is the Pioneer Village. This village shows what life was like for early settlers. It has a log home, a church, a schoolhouse, a general store, and a blacksmith shop. The village is open on weekends during the summer.

Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center

The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center is a great place to learn about nature. It has small live animals and displays about natural history. You can see insects, arrowheads, and nature photographs. The center also has a gift shop. Volunteers at the center teach visitors about nature and how to protect the environment.

Nature and Wildlife

Appalachian Highlands and Forests

Beaver Creek State Park is in the Appalachian Highlands of Ohio. This area has many hills made of sandstone. It is home to many different plants and animals. About 70% of Ohio's woodlands are in this region. Long ago, these forests were cut down for iron furnaces. But now, the forests have grown back. They have many types of hardwood trees like hickory, oak, and maple.

Little Beaver Creek: A Special River

Little Beaver Creek flows through the park. It is a special river because it is a state and national wild and scenic river. The creek has carved a deep gorge into the soft sandstone hills. The gorge walls are very steep, with high cliffs. Little Beaver Creek is home to many creatures. It has 63 types of fish, 49 mammal species, 140 kinds of birds, and 46 species of reptiles and amphibians. One rare animal found here is the salamander called the hellbender.

Animals and Plants of the Park

Many animals live in Beaver Creek State Park. They are protected from hunting inside the park. You might see common Eastern Woodland animals like white-tailed deer, skunks, wild turkeys, opossums, raccoons, eastern gray squirrels, and great horned owls. There are also many songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. The park's plant life includes colorful flowers like Dame's violet, goldenrod, spring beauties, and asters.

Outdoor Activities

Beaver Creek State Park is open all year for fun activities. Little Beaver Creek is a good place for fishing. You can catch smallmouth and rock bass. If you want to fish or hunt, you need a license from the state. You can also use canoes and rubber rafts on the creek. The park has 16 miles of trails for hiking, perfect for exploring the natural beauty.