Near St. Henry in Mercer County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Cranberry Prairie
A Geological Feature of Western Ohio
By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
1. The Cranberry Prairie Marker
close up, showing text; same on both sides
The Cranberry Prairie, southwest of this marker, is a part of Ohio's
natural history. The place was named for the cranberries that
grew in a swamp here prior to drainage of the area. The
Cranberry Prairie was created by centuries of peat accumulation
in a late Ice Age lake that formed at the base of St. John's
Moraine. Paleo-Indian or Early Archaic peoples probably killed
the elk whose skeleton was dug up here in 1981. This elk was
dated at approximately 7400 B.C.
By the 1860s, immigrant German farmers had begun transforming
the swamp into fertile farmland. "Wild Bill" Simison, a legendary
inhabitant, lived in the swamp and settlers respected him for his
knowledge of the area. By the turn of the nineteenth century,
Granville Township School #7, St. Francis Catholic Church, and
Bertke's Store stood at the edge of the Cranberry Prairie.
Erected 1999 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission The Longaberger Company St. Francis Catholic Church The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1- 54.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment
By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
2. The Cranberry Prairie Marker
Full view of marker, looking west
this page online
Location. 40° 23.551′ N, 84° 34.931′ W. Marker is near St. Henry, Ohio, in Mercer County. Marker is at the intersection of Ft Recovery Minster Road (County Route 30b) and Cranberry Road (County Route 115), on the right when traveling west on Ft Recovery Minster Road. Marker is at the front of St Francis Cemetery, behind the St. Francis Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5733 Ft Recovery Minster Rd, Saint Henry OH 45883, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Francis Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cranberry School Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Carthagena Black Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); St. Henry Catholic Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Saint Henry, Ohio (approx. 3.4 miles away); St. Rose Schoolhouse Bell (approx. 3.7 miles away); North Star (approx. 4.9 miles away); New Weston Veterans Memorial (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Henry.
By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
3. The Cranberry Prairie Marker
Marker can be seen at a distance; looking east towards cross-roads and the back of the Church
By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
4. The Cranberry Prairie Marker
View to the south west as directed by the text of the marker- the Prairie, itself
By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
5. The Cranberry Prairie Marker
The sign at the cross roads. An exact spot, in the middle of nowhere.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 3, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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