By 1812Blockhouse, ODNR, 1812AI
As in years past, 1812Blockhouse will be sharing regular updates over the coming weeks in terms of events and attractions located within an easy driving distance of Richland County.
We always preface these ideas by reminding our readers that Richland County is home to a number of top notch places to visit. We highly recommend a visit to the website of Destination Mansfield – Richland County to discover what is in your own backyard.
It’s an attraction on Lake Erie that many Richland Countians know well.
Now it’s a historic resource that will be around for a long time to come.
The Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve on Kelleys Island, an awe-inspiring geological marvel shaped over millions of years, has recently received significant upgrades aimed at bolstering its preservation efforts while enhancing the visitor experience. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio History Connection jointly celebrated the $2.27 million worth of improvements implemented at the preserve.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz expressed her admiration for the remarkable sight of the glacial grooves and noted the critical role ODNR plays in safeguarding such unique natural formations. The recent enhancements will help mitigate natural factors that gradually degrade the grooves while augmenting the visitor experience. Visitors will benefit from new infrastructure, including bridges, parking areas, fences, signs, and designated selfie spots to document their visits.
The Division of Geological Survey at ODNR explains that these grooves were formed by water flowing beneath a colossal glacier about 12,000 years ago. This natural process revealed the underlying 400-million-year-old Columbus limestone dating back to the Devonian period. Historically, the area hosted a multitude of such grooves, but most were destroyed due to quarrying activities in the 1800s.
The Ohio History Connection has been preserving the Glacial Grooves since acquiring the property from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in the early 1930s. However, most of the remaining grooves were hidden under glacial till until the 1970s. The property ownership was transferred to ODNR following a recent vote by the Ohio History Connection in May.
The Ohio State University Department of Geology, under the Ohio History Connection’s guidance, carried out the major work of uncovering the grooves in 1971 and 1972. Since then, the grooves have been fully exposed and meticulously preserved for the past five decades.
The Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve stands as a unique site globally, offering an unparalleled view of glacial grooves on such a vast scale. Executive Director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection, Megan Wood, emphasized the site’s significance as a testament to the power of the ice that shaped these grooves and as a crucial link to Ohio’s ancient history.
These glacial grooves attract an estimated 100,000 visitors annually. They stretch over 400 feet in length, 10 feet in depth, and 33 feet in width, located on the island’s northern side.
Open from sunrise to sunset and always free to the public, the glacial grooves offer a delightful addition to a day spent on Kelleys Island. Visitors can reach the island via a ferry from the mainland, by boat, or by air. More information about getting to the island is available on the Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce website.
Source, Photo: ODNR
