Kelleys Island in Erie County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Glacial Grooves State Memorial
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, September 30, 2005
1. Glacial Grooves State Memorial Marker
Impressive is size and shape, these glacial grooves are of great geologic significance as well. Approximately 35,000 years ago, when the climate was much cooler and wetter, a great continental glacier flowed from Canada into northern Ohio. After the climate warmed and the ice melted (about 10,000 years ago), this island retained a spectacular reminder of the glacier's presence here -- these huge glacial grooves, which had been carved in the limestone bedrock by the action of the advancing glacier.
Due to their size and ease of accessibility, these are the most famous glacial grooves in the world. Since this formation was discovered over a century ago, it has been an object of fascination to students, vacationers, and scientists alike. Geologists have studied these grooves for many years in an effort to determine exactly how they were carved by the glacier. Several theories have been proposed, but there is still no entirely satisfactory explanation.
Erected 1977 by The Ohio Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features
this page online
Location. 41° 36.979′ N, 82° 42.39′ W. Marker is on Kelleys Island, Ohio, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of Division Street and Titus Road (Ohio Route 575) on Division Street. This historical marker is located on Kelleys' Island, in Lake Erie. To see this marker one must travel to Marblehead, Ohio and catch the ferry boat service to Kelley's Island. The historical marker is located near the state park on the north side of the island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 739 Division St, Kelleys Island OH 43438, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Columbus Limestone / Kelleys Island Lime & Transport Co. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The German Reformed Church / The Church Parsonage (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Island House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Inscription Rock (approx. 1.7 miles away); Call to Duty Salute (approx. 5.3 miles away); Perry Park (approx. 5.3 miles away); a different marker also named Call to Duty Salute (approx. 5.3 miles away); Lakeside Daisy (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kelleys Island.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, September 30, 2005
2. Glacial Grooves State Memorial Marker
A close-up view of the text portion of the historical marker.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, September 30, 2005
3. Glacial Grooves State Memorial
A view looking west of a portion of the glacial grooves.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, September 30, 2005
4. Glacial Grooves State Memorial Marker
Another view looking west from the southeast corner of the glacial grooves.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, September 30, 2005
5. Glacial Grooves State Memorial Marker
View looking west of the southern portion of the glacial grooves, with a view of the pedestrian bridge crossing the grooves at the west end of the park, in the distant background of the picture.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,802 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on October 30, 2020, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
