Near Butler in Richland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hemlock Falls / The Groveport River
Hemlock Falls
Hemlock Falls is located nearby. Two small streams cascade down the face of the massive sandstone cliff in the shade of tall hemlock trees. One of the falls drops about 60 feet and the other about 100 feet. The rock is Black Hand Sandstone deposited in the deltas along the great salt-water sea during the Mississippian Period about 350 million years ago. The cliffs were created later and were produced by erosion along the side of the valley of the ancient pre-glacial Groveport River. One large slump block, which separated from the rock wall by weathering, may be the largest in Ohio. Plants more typical of the Appalachian Plateau and rare to Richland County can be found in this area. The ecosystem is typical of that found at the past edge of a glacier.
The Groveport River
Bunker Hill Road lies in a valley that once was the riverbed of the ancient pre-glacial Groveport River. This river flowed westward from the ancient Appalachian Mountains far to the east and turned southward here in the Bunker Hill valley and continued south by the present locations of Butler and Fredericktown to join the pre-glacial Teays River. The Groveport River was formed about 200 million years ago. The Illinoian Glacier blocked the Groveport River about 150,000 years ago and a new riverbed was formed. The new river known as the Clear Fork River is designated as a national natural landmark. As you drive Bunker Hill Road, remember you are in the ancient Groveport riverbed.
Erected 2001 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Mohican School in the Out-of-Doors, Inc., The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-70.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 40° 36.706′ N, 82° 22.786′ W. Marker is near Butler, Ohio, in Richland County. Marker is on Bunkerhill North Road, half a mile south of Butler Newville Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Butler OH 44822, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Louis Bromfield / Malabar Farm (approx. 2.9 miles away); Pleasant Hill Dam (approx. 2.9 miles away); Ohio Memorial Shrine (approx. 3˝ miles away); Perrysville Union Cemetery (Veterans Memorial) (approx. 4.7 miles away); Clear Fork Gorge (approx. 4.9 miles away); Johnny “Appleseed” Land Lease and Nursery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Wolf Creek (Pine Run) Grist Mill (approx. 6.2 miles away); The Plow (approx. 6.2 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 309 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.