New Albany in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mills of Plain Township

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 1, 2019

1. Mills of Plain Township Marker

Inscription. When the early settlers moved to the Ohio frontier in the early 1800s, mature trees dominated the landscape. As the region grew, water-powered mills were constructed to meet the demand for building materials cut from the nearby forest. Over time, log homes for small family farms gave way to wood frame houses and barns built with milled lumber.

Ash boards were used for flooring, oak beams for structure, and walnut for trim, cupboards, and doors.

This restroom facility was modeled after the mills that were a common sight along Rocky Fork Creek in the mid-1800s. At their peak, mills produced 2,000 to 3,000 board feet every 24 hours. One local resident, Dr. Isaac Newton Smith, wrote, "During this time, Plain Township made wonderful progress. There was ceaseless war on the woods, for the land must be cleared to raise grain.”

Today you will find oak, walnut, maple, beech, and other tree varieties growing in the park because of the conservation efforts by Metro Parks.

Erected by Metro Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 40° 7.147′ N,

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82° 47.769′ W. Marker is in New Albany, Ohio, in Franklin County. It can be reached from E. Walnut Street. At parking lot at end of park road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Albany OH 43054, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley

and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rocky Fork Metro Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith’s Burying Ground: Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Wagnor Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Maple Grove Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Fancher Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Field Musician Richard W. Thompson (approx. 1.9 miles away); Archibald's Mill

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 1, 2019

2. Mills of Plain Township Marker

(approx. 2.2 miles away); Wexner Community Park (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Albany.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Disposal of Land in Plain Township (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 1, 2019

3. Mills of Plain Township Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.