Goll Woods State Nature Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goll Woods State Nature Preserve |
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 Goll Woods State Nature Preserve
Location in Ohio
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fulton County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | 321 acres (130 ha) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Named for | Peter and Catherine Goll |
| Governing body | Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Goll Woods State Nature Preserve |
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve is a special forest in western Fulton County, Ohio. It covers about 321 acres and is located near the town of Archbold. This preserve is famous for its very old trees and has been named a National Natural Landmark. It's a great place to explore nature and learn about Ohio's history.
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History of Goll Woods
The preserve is named after Peter and Catherine Goll. They moved to America from Grand Charmont, France in 1836. The Goll family loved the big trees in these woods. For many generations, they worked hard to protect the forest from people who wanted to cut down the trees. Because of their efforts, the State of Ohio officially made it a nature preserve in 1969.
Discover the Natural Wonders
Goll Woods is home to amazing natural features. It has some of the oldest and largest trees you can find.
Gigantic Old Trees
The preserve has huge trees that are 200 to 400 years old. Many of these trees are about 4 feet wide! They remind us of the Great Black Swamp, a vast forest that once covered much of Ohio.
The Unique Oak Openings
There's a small, rare area in the preserve called the Oak Openings. Here, you'll find very large white oak and bur oak trees. What makes it special is that there are no small trees or bushes growing underneath them.
How Native Americans Shaped the Forest
Long ago, the Native Americans in this area used to set controlled fires in the fall. This helped them keep the brush and small trees from growing too tall. It created an open savanna that made hunting easier. Early settlers could even drive their wagons easily through the widely spaced trees.
Types of Trees in the Preserve
The forest in Goll Woods is a mix of different types of trees. You can find Elm, Ash, and Maple trees in swampy areas. There are also many oak trees in the lower parts of the preserve. Over time, because of farming nearby, the woods are slowly changing to a Beech-Maple forest.
The Oldest Burr Oak
In 2006, one of the biggest burr oak trees in the preserve died. It was over 450 years old! This giant tree was 56 inches (about 4.7 feet) wide at chest height. It also stood an impressive 112 feet tall.
Beautiful Wildflowers
If you visit early in the year, you'll see many beautiful wildflowers. Over 40 different kinds of spring wildflowers bloom here. Some of these include the large flowered trillium, which is Ohio's state wildflower. You might also spot bloodroot, columbine, marsh marigold, spotted coral-root, and three-birds-orchid.
Explore the Historical Sites
Besides its natural beauty, Goll Woods also has important historical places to discover.
The Goll Homestead
On the preserve grounds, you can find a historic farm called the Goll Homestead. This old farm complex was once going to be torn down. But now, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has a unique European design and was built with large timbers.
The Goll Cemetery
The Goll Cemetery is also located within the preserve. Peter and Catherine Goll set aside this burial ground, which is about three-quarters of an acre. They first buried a young child here. Many members of the Goll family are buried there today, along with people from other local families. Some people say the cemetery is rumored to be haunted!
The Lockport Covered Bridge
Just a short distance away, about 1.3 miles southwest of the preserve, is the Lockport Covered Bridge. This historic bridge crosses the Tiffin River, which runs near Goll Woods. It's part of the Northwest Ohio River Trail. The bridge even won an award in the 2002 National Timber Bridge Awards competition. Many visitors connect it with their trip to the nature preserve.
