Villa Nova in Auglaize County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Grand Lake Saint Marys
By Michael Baker, March 15, 2016
1. Grand Lake Saint Marys Marker
Grand Lake Saint Marys, originally Mercer County reservoir was worlds largest man made lake when constructed in 1837-1841 Water supply for Miami-erie Canal from here to the Maumee River at Defiance - 17603 acres. in 1856 lake level lowered 5.4 feet to prevent flooding - 15,748 acres - cost $528,222.07
Worlds first offshore oil well drilling occurred here 1891 - Piles were driven to support a platform for derrick and drilling rig - Oil well derricks were as numerous in the lake as the surrounding land area. Erected by the Auglaize County Historical Society 1978
Erected 1978 by Auglaize County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 40° 32.368′ N, 84° 25.037′ W. Marker is in Villa Nova, Ohio, in Auglaize County. Marker can be reached from Ohio Route 364 near Parkway Drive. The marker is located in East Bank park on Grand Lake, off 364. Near the shelter house area, in between
By Michael Baker, March 15, 2016
2. Grand Lake Saint Marys Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort St. Marys / Fort Barbee / Girty Town (approx. 1.4 miles away); Memorial Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Saint Marys River (approx. 1.6 miles away); History of Roof Shingles on Memorial Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Miami and Erie Canal (approx. 1.6 miles away); The "Short Level" of the Miami and Erie Canal (approx. 1.6 miles away); With Honor and Remembrance (approx. 1.6 miles away); Serving Our Country (approx. 1.6 miles away).
Additional comments.
1. Lake lowering mentioned on the marker.
While the marker certainly appears to say the lake was lowered 54 feet, I believe it was meant to say 5.4 feet. There is no way to lower a lake that is about 10 foot deep, 54 feet...........
— Submitted March 18, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on January 28, 2021, by TeamOHE of Wauseon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2016, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
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