John Bryan State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Bryan State Park |
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Clifton Gorge at John Bryan State Park
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| Location | Greene County, Ohio, United States |
| Area | 752 acres (304 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,017 ft (310 m) |
| Established | 1951 |
| Administered by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Ohio state park |
| Website | John Bryan State Park |
John Bryan State Park is a beautiful park in Greene County, Ohio. It covers about 752 acres (304 hectares). The park is famous for the amazing Clifton Gorge. This is a deep cut made by the Little Miami River. You can find it between the towns of Yellow Springs and Clifton.
The park is a great place for outdoor fun. It has a campground where you can stay overnight. There are also many trails for hiking and biking. John Bryan State Park is next to two other nature areas. These are the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.
A Look Back: Park History
Long ago, a road for stagecoaches connected Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. This road went through the area where the park is now. Early settlers saw a chance to use the river's power. They built businesses that used water to run their machines.
Clifton's Early Industries
The town of Clifton grew because of these businesses. There were mills that made cloth (textile mills). Other mills ground grain into flour (grist mills). There were also sawmills that cut wood.
By the late 1800s, these water-powered businesses mostly stopped. Water power was no longer the cheapest way to run machines. Many mills were left empty. But one grist mill, built in 1802, is still working today! It's called Clifton Mill and you can visit it in Clifton village.
How John Bryan State Park Began
In 1896, a smart businessman named John Bryan bought 335 acres (136 hectares) of land. This land was along the Clifton Gorge. He called his property "Riverside Farm." The Little Miami River was very important for early settlers. It gave them the power they needed for their businesses.
In 1918, John Bryan decided to give Riverside Farm to the state of Ohio. He wanted it to be a special place. He said it should be a "forestry, botanic and wildlife reserve park and experiment station." He also wanted it to be named after him.
In May 1925, John Bryan's land became one of Ohio's first forest parks. Later, in 1949, John Bryan State Park became part of a new group. This was the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. The park and the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve are very special. The U.S. Department of the Interior even called the gorge a National Natural Landmark.
