Near Logan in Hocking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Man’s Cave

— Hocking Hills State Park & Forest —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 25, 2019

1. Old Man’s Cave Tablet

Inscription. The recess of Old Man’s Cave is the most famous feature in the park. It is located on a vertical cliff 75 feet above the stream and measures 250 feet long and 50 feet high. The spectacular recessed caves seen throughout the park are examples of water and wind carving out the softer middle layers of the blackhand sandstone. The sandstone itself is made up of layer upon layer of silt, sand and small pebbles compressed together into a loose rock. The extra minerals of iron oxide and silica cement the sandstone together and create a hard upper and lower rock structure. The water seeping through always picks the easiest way through the rock and carves out the softer middle layers leaving behind a “roof” and a “floor.” This process is called sapping.

Old Man’s Cave derives its name from a hermit named Richard Rowe who lived in the recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two hounds traveled through Ohio along the Sioto River in search of game. On a side trip up Salt Creek, he found

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the Hocking Hills Region. Richard and his hounds lived out the rest of their lives here in the cave.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 39° 25.971′ N, 82° 32.574′ W. Marker is near Logan, Ohio, in Hocking County. It can be reached from Ohio Route 664 10 miles south of U.S. 33. It can be reached from the main visitors center for Hocking Hills Park where there is plenty of free parking. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Logan OH 43138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Hocking Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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

This Tablet in Old Man’s Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 25, 2019

2. This Tablet in Old Man’s Cave

flies: A different marker also named Old Man’s Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); Sphinx Head (within shouting distance of this marker); Devil’s Bathtub (approx. ¼ mile away); Our Inspirations (approx. 0.6 miles away); Whispering Cave (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cedar Falls Bent Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cedar Falls (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ash Cave (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Logan.

Old Man’s Cave and the Steps 75 Feet Down to the Stream image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 25, 2019

3. Old Man’s Cave and the Steps 75 Feet Down to the Stream

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 823 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.