Bowling Green in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Great Black Swamp

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 28, 2021

1. The Great Black Swamp Marker

Inscription. The Great Black Swamp mural is a symbolic narrative of imagery from this region of fertile farmlands that was once a vast swamp the remains of a receding Lake Erie. Under the direction of artist Adrian Tio, ideas suggested by students from the Bowling Green junior high and high school art classes were incorporated into this visual collage.

The narrative combines composite images of the rural and urban communities within the area of the former swamp. Along with seasonal changes in the landscape, the hands represent those who use the resources of the land to feed and shelter us from the elements, all under the watchful gaze of the spirit of the Great Black Swamp.

With the assistance of Kevin Kennair and Bowling Green State University art students, the mural was applied to the existing brick surface in summer 1994. The project was initiated by Arts Allied-the Bowling Green Community Arts Network- and supported in part by the Downtown Business Association and the Wood County Park District. The artist and his painting crew wish to thank the people and visitors of Bowling Green for their insights and encouragement throughout the project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.

Location.

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41° 22.413′ N, 83° 39.016′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Ohio, in Wood County. It is on S. Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Archbold OH 43502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp,

in the Till Plains,

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Changing Face of South Main (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Main Street Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Commerce & Finance In Old Bowling Green (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Four Corners (about 500 feet away); Bowling Green's Interurban & Rail Line (about 500 feet away); Exchange Bank (about 500 feet away); Wiley Post No. 46 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 28, 2021

2. The Great Black Swamp Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 21, 2024

3. The Great Black Swamp Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 21, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.