COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will undertake two improvement projects at Mohican State Park this fall and winter. One project aims to restore the park's historic gristmill as part of a public-private partnership. The second will construct a new shelter house at the park's popular Mohican Gorge overlook.
"These efforts will make Mohican more attractive to visitors from the area and from elsewhere in Ohio," said assistant manager Mark Ford. "Our park is one of the 'gems' in the state system and we want to keep it that way."
Norwalk contractor Mark Smith and area volunteers are already working to restore the gristmill that was built in 1831 on Wolf Creek by Isaac Meanor and was originally called Wolf's Mill. In the 1970s it was moved to its present location on State Route 3 near the intersection of State Route 97, becoming part of the park in 1980. The structure recently acquired new floors and floor joists. It will soon receive a new shake roof, windows and improved siding. By preserving the mill building and making it weather resistant, park officials hope to eventually re-open it for tours and other public events.
ODNR spent about $12,000 to initiate renovation of the gristmill. Private donors contributed another $12,000. Wickes Lumber, Inc. donated shingles for the new roof.
Park staff and Smith are currently forming a non-profit "Friends of the Ol' GristMill" organization to raise funds and provide additional volunteer support for the renovation. Persons interested in contributing their time and skills are urged to contact the park office at (419) 994-5125.
Roman Hershberger, an Amish contractor from Brinkhaven in Knox County, will roof the mill and erect a new shelter house at the Mohican Gorge overlook. The original shelter house at the site was constructed in 1936 as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. The aging facility was deemed structurally unsafe and demolished last year.
The new 20-foot by 36-foot wooden structure will be situated a safe distance from the steep cliff walls of the gorge - and away from foot traffic to and from the overlook. It will feature a vaulted laminated truss design with tongue-and-groove stained ceiling. The entire area, including trails to the overlook and the shelter house facility, will be wheelchair accessible. A flagstone base and sidewalk from the former shelter house will display a glass-enclosed memorial to the CCC workers of the 1930s who constructed it.
Cost of the new shelter house is expected to be about $20,000. Dedication of the new facility will take place next spring.