Bristol in Morgan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Recreation Land Reclaimed

— Ohio Department of Natural Resources —

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 7, 2020

1. Recreation Land Reclaimed Marker

Inscription.
When mining is complete, coal companies must meet strict requirements of state and federal surface mining control and restoration requirements as well as return land to its original condition or better.

Since the 1940s, reclaimed areas were planted with millions of trees, resulting in the scenic wooded areas, lakes and ponds that make up much of what is the Recreation Land.

Current standards require land to be graded to the approximate pre-mining contour and topsoil replaced. The land then is seeded with quick cover materials that result in gently rolling grasslands sprinkled with numerous lakes and ponds.

To date, more than 56,000 acres have been reclaimed - 30,000 acres as forest land and 26,000 acres as grassland. AEP has planted more than 64 million trees since 1944.

Erected by Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 39° 41.919′ N, 81° 43.858′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Ohio, in Morgan County. It is at the intersection of Ohio Route 78 and Unionville Road, on the right when traveling west on Ohio Route 78. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4350 OH-78, McConnelsville OH 43756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Abandoned Mine Lands (here, next to this marker); What Is Recreation Land (here, next to this marker); What Was Recreation Land (here, next to this marker); Jesse Owens (within shouting distance of this marker); American Electric Power Welcomes You To Miners' Memorial Park. (within shouting distance of this marker); Ronald V. Crews Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Muskie / Coal Mining In Ohio (within shouting distance of this marker); Reclaiming The Land (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 7, 2020

2. Recreation Land Reclaimed Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 37 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.