More Ohio Fun

For more fabulous photos from Ohio, check out this wonderful new blog Escape in Time by my traveling companion and friend, Shirley.

Boettler Park

Here are a few scenes from the trails in Boettler Park which is part of the larger recreation area called South Park in Green, Summit County, Ohio. South Park has sports fields, playground and picnic areas, a network of trails, and beautiful wide-open spaces. The day we were there we shared the trails with a high school girl's track team. Our destination was the old farmhouse, but we took our time along the trail taking pictures and enjoying the cool woodsy trails, ponds and scenic vistas.

"Old Farmhouse"

In lush Boettler Park, there are directions to the old farmhouse. Following paths through arching trees, winding around lily-pad-studded ponds, up and over slight hills, you round the final bend and come down a drive at the end of which is a large and very beautiful barn with German-style detail around the slatted vents. The barn is dramatic enough, and at first you cannot see the house. When you get closer, it's hard not to gasp at the finale. A graceful old home, an elegant lady resting in the afternoon shade of ancient trees. Wow!The historic literature we had read called it the Belden Home, the name of the most recent owners of the property, but from a tip, we knew it to be the former Hartong farm. Samuel Hartong married Margaret Humbert, the sister of my great great grandfather, Jacob Humbert. Margaret died young and Samuel later married her younger sister, Catherine. Our new cousin, Sandy, who came from New Jersey to meet us in Ohio, is a direct descendant of Samuel and Margaret. We were a bit disappointed that the Hartong name was nowhere to be found until we glanced up and saw that it is etched into the stone of the barn. We have yet to identify exactly which Hartong the initials L. J. stand for. Always a new mystery for the genealogist to solve.

Sprankle and Smith Mills

This is an old photo owned by the Jackson Township Historical Society of Michael Sprankle's mill on High Mill Road taken in the 1800's. Michael owned the mill at one time, but he was not the builder or original owner. Michael is my great-great-great grandfather.

All that is left of the old mill is its stone foundation.

Using the timbers and equipment from the old Sprankle Mill, the Smith Mill was built in 1925 in Crystal Springs, Jackson Township in Stark County. It was used primarily as a Cider Mill. Below are photos of the building today which is on private property and adjoins a private residence.

The Mill from the driveway.

A side view of the Smith Mill.

Bridge over the Tuscarawas

An old stone bridge over the Tuscarawas River. Taken from the Cherry Street Bridge in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

Ohio and Erie Canal

The Ohio and Erie Canal was the "highway" in the 1800's. Standing on its banks, it's easy to imagine the thriving boat traffic along these waters. The boats were towed by teams of horses and in these images you can see the towpath alongside the canal from which the teams pulled the boats down the canal. The boat in the last picture is a replica of a canal boat which now transports tourists in the summer months.

Canal Fulton from the Canal

The Canal has a rich and varied history. Gift shops, bars, a tatoo parlor and antique shops in the aged and weathered buildings along the canal give a simultaneous snapshot of both yesterday and today. To contrast with the street views, here is the town from the canal.

Canal Fulton

The historic district of downtown Canal Fulton, Ohio.

Ohio!

Just some ordinary, everyday scenes from Ohio. Beauty everywhere you look!

Ohio Genealogy Trip

First glimpse of my great great grandfather's farm near Canton, Ohio. We were fortunate enough to meet the current owners and to discover that the property has only changed hands twice since the mid 1800s, and to our utter delight, we were taken on a tour of the barns and house, all of which were original. Amazing.

Ohio Amish Country

This photo was taken on my cross-state drive across Ohio this summer. It was a rendezvous of four cousins, a whirlwind genealogical research trip. We started out in Canton, but with branches of the family on both sides of the state, we enjoyed a relaxing midweek road trip. It was my first visit to Ohio and with it came many other "firsts" such as this glimpse of another way of life.