Beaver Creek State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaver Creek State Park |
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Thomas J. Malone Covered Bridge
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| Location | Columbiana County, Ohio, US |
| Nearest city | Calcutta, Ohio |
| 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 fun outdoor area in Columbiana County, Ohio, USA. It covers about 2,722 acres, which is like 2,000 football fields! The park follows the Little Beaver Creek through the beautiful hills of the Appalachian Mountains.
You can find old parts of the Sandy and Beaver Canal here, like Gaston's Mill. The park is open all year for exciting activities such as camping, boating, hunting, fishing, and hiking. A long walking path called the North Country National Scenic Trail even goes right through the park!
Contents
A Look Back: History of Beaver Creek
Ancient People and Native American Tribes
People have lived in the Beaver Creek area for a very long time. The first known people, called the Clovis culture, were here about 10,000 years ago. Scientists have found old tools like arrowheads and pottery from these early people.
Later, different Native American tribes lived here. The Mingo and Wyandot tribes were among the last to call this area home. They lived here before settlers from Europe and America moved into the Ohio Country.
The Sandy and Beaver Canal
Imagine a super-long ditch built to move boats! That was the Sandy and Beaver Canal. It stretched for 73 miles (about 117 kilometers) from Bolivar, Ohio to the Ohio River in Glasgow, Pennsylvania. The canal had 90 special water elevators called locks to help boats go up and down hills.
It was finished in 1848, but it didn't last long. In 1852, a dam broke, and a big part of the canal was ruined. Today, you can still see parts of this old canal inside Beaver Creek State Park.
Morgan's Raid During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, a Confederate general named John Hunt Morgan led his soldiers on a daring journey. In July 1863, he and his 2,460 troops rode into Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. This was the farthest north any Confederate soldiers went during the war.
Morgan's raid ended near what is now Beaver Creek State Park, where he and his men had to give up. The park itself was officially created in 1949 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Fun Things to See and Do
Gaston's Mill: A Working Piece of History
Gaston's Mill is a historic watermill built way back in 1837. It sits right on Little Beaver Creek. Today, the mill has been fixed up and is open for visitors! You can see how old mills worked, with displays of antique milling equipment. The mill even grinds flour and cornmeal during certain times of the year.
Pioneer Village: Step Back in Time
Right next to Gaston's 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. You can visit the village 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, cool displays showing different habitats, and collections of insects and arrowheads. Volunteers at the center teach visitors about nature and how to protect our environment.
Nature and Wildlife at Beaver Creek
Appalachian Highlands and Forests
Beaver Creek State Park is in a hilly area of Ohio called the Appalachian Highlands. This region has lots of sandstone and is home to many different plants and animals. About 70% of Ohio's woodlands are found here. Long ago, much of this area was cleared for wood, but now the forests have grown back. You'll see many kinds of hardwood trees like hickory, oak, and maple.
Little Beaver Creek: A Special River
Little Beaver Creek is a very special river. It's recognized as both a state and national wild and scenic river! As it flows through the park, it carves out a gorge in the soft sandstone hills. The sides of the gorge are steep, with high cliffs overlooking the creek.
This creek is full of life! It's home to 63 types of fish, 49 kinds of mammals, 140 different birds, and 46 species of reptiles and amphibians. One rare and protected animal found here is the hellbender, a large salamander.
Animals and Plants of the Park
You'll find many animals living safely in Beaver Creek State Park, as hunting is not allowed here. Look for white-tailed deer, skunks, wild turkeys, opossums, raccoons, eastern gray squirrels, and great horned owls. Many other songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians also call the park home.
The park's plant life is also beautiful. You might see colorful flowers like Dame's violet, goldenrod, spring beauties, and asters.
Outdoor Adventures
Beaver Creek State Park is open all year for outdoor fun!
- Fishing: Little Beaver Creek is a great place to fish for cold-water fish like smallmouth and rock bass. If you want to fish or hunt, you'll need a license from the state.
- Boating: You can take canoes and rubber rafts out on the creek for a relaxing paddle.
- Hiking: The park has 16 miles (about 25 kilometers) of trails perfect for hiking and exploring the beautiful scenery.
