Near Urbana in Champaign County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

1. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

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Inscription. In 1942 Cedar Bog became the first nature preserve in Ohio purchased with state funds. Efforts to set this wetland aside began in the 1920s through the efforts of Florence Murdock and her daughter. Efforts intensified in the mid 1930s with help from Walter Brigham Evens, Jr., and finally came to fruition in 1941 due to the interests of Champaign County Common Pleas Judge Owens, Governor John Bicker, and Dr. Edward S. Thomas of the Ohio Historical Society. This relatively small parcel is an outstanding example of a prairie/fen complex known as Cedar Swamp that once covered 7,000 acres of the Mad River Valley. Approximately one quarter of the plant species in Ohio are found here. Cedar Bog also has a large number of rare species, two of which, the Small Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid and Prairie Valerian, occur in Ohio only at Cedar Bog or one other site.

Erected 2004 by The Cedar Bog Association Champaign County Bicentennial Historical Marker Committee The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. In addition, it is included in the National Natural Landmarks, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists.

Location.

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40° 3.341′ N, 83° 47.531′ W. Marker is near Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County. Marker is on Woodburn Road (County Route 91), on the right when traveling west. adjacent to Simon Kenton Trail (hiking/biking). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana OH 43078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memory and with Appreciation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cedar Bog (about 500 feet away); Green Invaders (approx. ¼ mile away); Draining Wetlands (approx. 0.3 miles away); William Owen (approx. 3.1 miles away); Champaign County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Champaign County Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Champaign County World War II Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

2. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

full view of marker, with OHS sign, at lane leading north off Woodburn Road

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

3. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

marker can be seen at a distance, from the RR crossing and Simon Kenton Trail, looking west on Woodburn Road

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

4. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

the bog, looking north off Woodburn Road, at the Cedar creek bridge

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

5. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

Woodburn Road passing west over Cedar Creek, through the Swamp; the Bog/Fen is to the right

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 9, 2015

6. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

the Nature Lodge, back lane off Woodburn Road, from the marker

Photographed By Robert Baughman, October 8, 2020

7. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 11, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 7. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.