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State Park Information |
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Harrison Lake State Park
26246 Harrison Lake Rd
Fayette
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State Park Overview |
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Nature of the Area |
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The area comprising Harrison Lake State Park was at one time part of a vast wetland. This mysterious area contained towering trees, soggy black soil and was a haven for the swamp rattlesnake (or massassauga, as it is also known). Very little remains of that once great swamp, but the park still harbors unique natural features associated with wetlands.
Great blue herons and common egrets can be sighted at the lakes shallow western end. Numerous songbirds inhabit the parks meadows and woodlands such as the vesper sparrow, common yellowthroat and brown thrasher. Several species of reptiles and amphibians find the parks habitat suitable. Box turtles, painted turtles, garter snakes, green frogs and American toads are found here. Small mammals such as red fox, raccoon, skunk and the uncommon thirteen-lined ground squirrel are frequently seen. |
Camping |
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Trails |
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Picnicking |
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Boating |
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Swimming |
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Fishing and Hunting |
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History of the Area |
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Originally, Lake Erie was much larger than it is today--stretching from western New York to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Harrison Lake region was at that time under the waters of Lake Erie. As Lake Erie receded to its present size, the area formerly under water reverted to swamplands. This swamp (120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles wide) became known as the Great Black Swamp due to the color of the soil and dark shade beneath the giant trees.
For many years, the swamp was a tremendous barrier to western settlement. Most settlers avoided the area, traveling around the swamp via Lake Erie to reach southern Michigan. The Ottawa Indians settled only near the well-drained lands beside the Maumee River and its tributaries. The swamp was the last area to be settled in Ohio. It served as a reservation for Indians until they were forced out in 1842. It was not until the development of soil drainage techniques in the 1850s that large numbers of settlers moved here.
Even today, northwestern Ohio remains one of the most sparsely populated regions of the state, although it is one of Ohios richest agricultural regions.
In 1836, the United States Congress and the Ohio Legislature finally settled a 10-year argument with the state of Michigan as to the location of the Ohio-Michigan border. For years, both states claimed ownership of a strip of land 11 miles wide that extended from the mouth of the Maumee River near Toledo to the Ohio border with Indiana. Todays Ohio-Michigan boundary is the one agreed upon in 1836. Had Congress favored Michigans claim in that year, Harrison Lake State Park may have become a Michigan State Park!
In 1941, a dam over Mill Creek was completed and Harrison Lake was created. The lake and surrounding area were maintained primarily for hunting and fishing purposes until 1950 when Harrison Lake was established as a state park and development for additional recreational usage began. |
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More Info |
Area Attractions |
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The Sauder Museum, Farm and Craft Village, just east of the intersection of S.R. 66 and S.R. 2 near Archbold, is a colorful reminder of the life in early Ohio. The 15-acre complex includes an 1860s home and barnyard, the Craft Village where talented artisans display their skills, and a museum displaying antique tools and farm implements. The restored barn on the premises houses a restaurant featuring country-style cooking.
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve, three miles northwest of Archbold, is one of the finest remaining examples of the Black Swamp forest. Some of the ancient oak trees are more than four feet in diameter and tower over the native shrubs and wildflowers found here. Nature photographers, birdwatchers and wildflower lovers will delight in the natural diversity that makes Goll Woods so unique.
The Fulton County Historical Society operates a museum at 229 Monroe Street in Wauseon. The museum, which illustrates the history of the Fulton County area is open Sunday afternoons without charge. Also located in Wauseon, in the city cemetery, is a memorial to the pioneering race car driver Barney Oldfield.
Maumee Bay State Park, east of Toledo, offers additional recreational opportunities with a resort lodge, cabins, Scottish-style golf course and campground. |
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Area Activities |
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Offical Guide to Southeastern Ohios Scenic Wonderland, the Hocking Hills. The 9 State Parks and State Forests. How to get there, things to do, interesting local merchants, what to see, places to stay. Reserve your cabin or campsite online! |
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