Franklin Township in Waverly in Ross County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Hewitt Monument

— Let's Get Historic —

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 28, 2024

1. William Hewitt Monument Marker

Inscription. William Hewitt, known as the Ohio Robinson Crusoe, lived as a hermit for fourteen years in a cave near what is now Scioto Trail State Park and the surrounding forest.

Believed to have originally migrated from Virginia, Hewitt settled into a cave, occasionally visiting Chillicothe to trade animal skins for food and ammunition. He wore buckskin clothes and always came armed with a gun, tomahawk, and knife. The monument was erected in 1842 to commemorate Hewitt's 70-year-long life

Erected by Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 39° 13.845′ N, 82° 57.268′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Ohio, in Ross County. It is in Franklin Township. It is on Lake Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274 Lake Dr, Chillicothe OH 45601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in the Scioto Valley

and in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn

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Belt,

and 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Log Church Replica (here, next to this marker); Scioto Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lending Tackle Box Tackle Box Program (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scioto Trail Fire Tower (approx. 1½ miles away); Ohio Forest Management Through the Years (approx. 1½ miles away); The American Chestnut (approx. 1½ miles away); Ross County Underground Railroad / The Underground Railroad (approx. 1.9 miles away); German Settlers & Trustees Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waverly.

More about this marker. Located in the Scioto Trails State Park

William Hewitt Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 28, 2024

2. William Hewitt Monument

Can be seen right corner of church

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 2, 2025

3. William Hewitt Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2024, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2024, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 3. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.