Near Huron in Erie County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Woman Creek
A Feature of Ohio’s Estuaries
Old Woman Creek is one of the few naturally functioning estuary environments—places where chemically-distinct bodies of water meet and mix—left in the western basin of Lake Erie. This ecosystem features diverse habitats of marshlands, sand beaches, and upland forests, supporting plants and animals unique to natural coastal communities. Nearly 300 bird species (including bald eagles), 40 fish species, and hundreds of native plants have been recorded in the area. Old Woman Creek is Ohio’s only national estuarine sanctuary and became a state nature preserve in 1980.
Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the International Paper Company Foundation and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-39.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.
Location. 41° 23.018′ N, 82° 30.893′ W. Marker is near Huron, Ohio, in Erie County. Marker is on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) 0.4 miles west of Huron Drive, on the left when traveling east. It is just before the bridge over Old Woman Creek. The turnoff is not well signed. There is a small round blue sign reading “Old Woman Creek Estuary — Keep it Clean” on the fence. There a few spaces of parking past the gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huron OH 44839, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Meeker Farm / Old Homestead-on-the-Lake (approx. 1.4 miles away); Legacy of the Huron Docks (approx. 2.1 miles away); Huron Block House (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Legacy of the Huron Docks (approx. 2.1 miles away); Huron Lighthouses / Huron’s Maritime History (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named The Legacy of the Huron Docks (approx. 2.1 miles away); John Baptiste Flemmond (approx. 2.1 miles away); Almon Ruggles, Surveyor of the Firelands / The Unknown Sailor and the Battle of Lake Erie (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huron.
More about this marker. The marker is in a small, disconnected corner of the Old Woman Creek Estuary State Nature Preserve. The turnoff to the preserve’s visitors center and hiking trails is half a mile east, on the right. Well worth the visit. No charge to enter.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on March 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.