- 3615 S. Old State Road
- Delaware, OH 43015
- (740) 548-4631
Alum Creek's large reservoir and gently
rolling span of fields and woodlands provides a hub of recreational
activity just minutes from Ohio's capital city. Quiet coves nestled
among shale cliffs await the solitary fisherman in the park's northern
reaches while sun seekers mingle with thousands on Ohio's largest
inland beach.
Alum Creek is a 3,400 acre reservoir surrounded by more than 5,000 acres of
state park, camping, and the largest inland swimming beach in Ohio.
Located just 25 miles northeast of Columbus and 12 miles southeast of
Delaware, Alum Creek has developed into an exceptional recreation area.
Nature of the Area
Alum Creek rests in the midst of the
fertile agricultural till plains and river valleys of Delaware County.
In contrast to the surrounding farmlands, the park offers a diverse
array of natural features. Cliffs of Ohio shale are notable in many
areas, exposed as Alum Creek and other streams cut through underlying
bedrock. The shale was formed as mud washed into the ancient sea which
covered the area several hundred million years ago. The dark hue of
the rock is due to the mixture of a carbonized plant material and mud
that formed the shale.
The rich soils of Delaware County gave
rise to a luxuriant beech-maple forest after the retreat of the
glaciers about 12,000 years ago. That original forest has long since
been cut but a healthy second growth forest is preserved in the park.
The woodlands harbor a variety of plant species and offer the
interested observer beautiful displays of wildflowers and wildlife.
Large-flowered trillium, wild geranium, bloodroot, and spring beauties
carpet the forest floor. The forest is home to the fox squirrel,
woodchuck, rabbit, white-tail deer and many other species of wildlife.
History of the Area
Long before recorded history, man
called this forest and the Alum Creek valley home. The Adena culture
lived here over 2,000 years ago. Seven mounds constructed by the mound
builders were identified along the creek. Six were excavated before
the valley was flooded although archaeologists did not believe them to
be burial mounds.
Much later, the Delaware Indian tribe
occupied several villages near Alum Creek. A large town was located
where the city of Delaware now stands on the banks of the Olentangy
River. The Indians cultivated a 400-acre cornfield in much of what is
presently downtown. These Algonquin tribespeople entered Ohio in the
1700s, being displaced from their eastern home in the Delaware River
valley by the fierce Iroquois nation.
Colonel Moses Byxbe was one of the
first settlers in the county. He built his home in 1805 on Alum Creek
and named the township Berkshire after his native Berkshire,
Massachusetts. He owned 8,000 acres on the creek and was the co-owner
of 30,000 more. These were military lands which he sold for $2.50 to
$10 per acre.
With the threat of the War of 1812, the
frontier counties set about erecting structures to defend themselves
in case of Indian attack. Four blockhouses were built in the county,
one of which was on Alum Creek. The fortress had two stories, the
second of which protruded over the first yielding a place from which
to shoot, drop boiling water on the attackers and defy attempts to set
the log structure on fire. This Fort Cheshire, which stood until the
Civil War, was later used as a schoolhouse. A bronze plaque
commemorates the site where the fort once stood in what is now the
park's family campground.
During the fifty years prior to the
Civil War, the border state of Ohio offered many routes for the
Underground Railroad by which slaves escaped to freedom. Over 40,000
slaves passed northward through Ohio along these paths. The Sycamore
Trail, whose guideposts were often the ghostly white bark of this
floodplain tree, ran along Alum Creek. Slaves waded in the waters of
the creek as they left the safe Hanby House in Westerville and
attempted to elude pursuing trackers. Africa Road received its name
from the fact that thirty slaves, freed in North Carolina, settled
near friendly homeowners in this area.
Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood
control plan for the Ohio River Basin. The lake was authorized by
Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1962. Construction began in
August of 1970 and was completed in 1974.
Camping
Alum Creek's 297 family campsites offer
both wooded and sunny areas, some of which overlook the lake. This
well-designed campground has a beach and a boat ramp for exclusive use
of the overnight guests. Each site has an electrical hookup, and
heated shower facilities are located throughout the facility.
Trails
Hikers and horsepeople enjoy the rugged
northern reaches of the park. Over forty miles of trail wind along the
lakeshore through mature beech-maple forests and across deep ravines.
Riders must provide their own mounts. Primitive camping for
horsepeople is provided on Howard Road. Pressurized water and a
latrine are provided.
Boating
Alum Creek Reservoir contains 3,387
acres of water. The broad expanse of the lake south of Cheshire Road
is a boater's paradise with unlimited horsepower and plenty of room
for skiers. The northern portion offers a quieter scene with
tree-lined shores, shale cliffs and sheltered inlets for canoeists.
Hunting and Fishing
The narrow coves and quiet inlets offer
fine catches of bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye and saugeye. The
northern half of the park is best for the squirrel and deer hunter,
while the southern half offers better opportunities for rabbit and
other upland game. Valid Ohio hunting and fishing license are
required. Note the hunting map as many areas are restricted.
Picnicing
Scenic picnic areas with tables,
grills, restrooms and drinking water enhance the lakeshore.
Additionally, two shelterhouses are maintained by the Army Corps of
Engineers at the Alum Creek dam. Contact the Corps office at (740)
548-6151 for information regarding their use.
Swimming
The largest inland beach in Ohio's
state park system is located at Alum Creek. This 3,000-foot beach
offers a changing area and concession stand. The beach is open during
daylight hours only.
Area Attractions
Within Delaware County are Delaware
State Park and Wildlife Area, Olentangy Caverns and Highbanks Metro
Park. Highly renowned is the Little Brown Jug harness race at the
Delaware County Fairgrounds during September. The Columbus Zoo,
located to the southwest, boasts an extensive collection of worldwide
fauna.
The city of Columbus is located south
of Alum Creek offering park users a short drive to myriad fine arts,
cultural and sporting events. The Ohio Historical Society and Village,
OSU sports, Columbus Clippers baseball, Ballet Met and state
fairgrounds are but a few of the attractions to be found in
neighboring Columbus. For information on other local attractions,
contact the Office of Travel and Tourism at 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Visit
the Ohio State Parks Site.
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