Sites and Attractions
Big Bottom Monument and Park
Located beside State Route 266, one mile southeast of Stockport in Morgan County, and named for the broad Muskingum floodplain, the three acre Big Bottom park is the site of a skirmish between Ohio Company settlers and some Delaware and Wyandot Indians on 2 January 1791. The Big Bottom massacre marked the start of four years of frontier warfare in Ohio, which only stopped when General Anthony Wayne and the Indian tribes signed the Treaty of Greene Ville.
The park includes picnic tables, information signs, and a twelve-foot marble obelisk at this pleasant outdoor site.
Wolfe Creek Wildlife Area
Wolfe Creek Wildlife area consists of over 3,600 acres of land owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources made open to the public for hunting and fishing. It is one of only three sites in the state of Ohio where a special primitive deer hunting season, in which bows and arrows are used, is held each October. For more information, call 740-962-2048 or http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/. top»
Burr Oak State Park
Situated in the valley of Sunday Creek, the Burr Oak area was inhabited by Indians and, later, by settlers who found an abundance of game animals and the resources necessary for survival in the Ohio wilderness. In 1950 Burr Oak Lake was created by the construction of the Tom Jenkins Dam across the east branch of Sunday Creek. Two years later, Burr Oak was dedicated as a state park.
The Park surrounds the 7-mile Burr Oak Lake and contains over 28 miles of hiking trails, a public swimming beach, marina and boat dock, numerous camping and picnic sites, a 60-room lodge and conference center with a full-service restaurant and banquet facility, and 30 fully-equipped cabins. For more information and to make reservations, call 740-767-2112 (lodge) or 740-767-3570 (park office) or visit http://www.burroakresort.com/. top»
AEP ReCreation Land
One of American Electric Power's best known symbols of environmental Outdoor Recreation is the company's 42,000-acre reclamation project known as ReCreation Land. This award winning project has been built on land that was once strip mined for its rich coal deposits. Through vigorous reclamation efforts, which include the planting of 63 million trees and the establishment of more than 350 lakes and ponds and nearly 380 campsites, we have turned this former mining territory into a vibrant recreation area.
Located in southeastern Ohio, ReCreation Land, along with the Conesville Coal Lands, outside AEP's Conesville Plant, and the Avondale Wildlife Area, southwest of Zanesville, are free for public use. However visitors must secure a permit, free of charge, either by downloading one from this site or obtaining one through the AEP office in McConnelsville, Ohio, the AEP corporate offices, regional offices of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, or at any of the regional sporting goods or bait stores surrounding ReCreation Land. Under a Cooperative Agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the area is patrolled by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and all state hunting, fishing and trapping regulations apply. top»
Rock Hollow School
Once located off State Route 555 near Ringgold, this one-room schoolhouse was originally built in 1877 and was used until 1934. In 1993, it was taken apart and moved to its current location on Main Street in Malta. Tours of the school are available upon request.
Also located near the school’s site is what is known locally as the Dungeon. Discovered in 1964 under the county’s 124 year-old jail, the Dungeon was relocated to Malta in 1994 and has been reconstructed for viewing. For more information about either facility, contact the Morgan County Historical Society at 740-962-4785. top»
Miner’s Memorial Park
The Miner’s Memorial Park is a monument to the achievements of the men and women of American Electric Power and Central Ohio Coal. Situated along Route 78, approximately nine miles east of McConnelsville, Ohio, the park lies within AEP’s ReCreation Land, a 42,000-acre public recreational area in Morgan County, reclaimed through the planting of more than 63 million trees.
A keystone installation at the park is the giant 220-cubic-yard 240-ton bucket from “Big Muskie,” the largest dragline ever built, which moved more than 483 million tons of rock and soil from 1969 to 1991. Another memorial highlight is the “Wall of Honor” which lists the names of past and present employees of Central Ohio Coal Company, the AEP subsidiary that operated Big Muskie. Additionally, the structural materials for the pavilions at the site are made from 50 year old red oak trees planted by miners on reclaimed mined land. top»
Button House Museum
Located at 142 East Main Street in McConnelsville, the Evelyn True Button House is the former home of Dr. Hiram True and his daughter Evelyn Button, who was one of Ohio’s first female high school principals and a prominent advocate for women’s rights. The house has been restored by the Morgan County Historical Society. The museum contains an eclectic collection of artifacts including hundreds of dolls, paintings, and prints of renowned artist Howard Chandler Christy and much more. For more information, contact 740-962-4785. top»
One of only a handful of opera houses still in existence in the state, the Opera House is the only one with its auditorium on the ground floor. Built in 1890 on the foundation of the former Brewster Hotel, the Opera House was the first building in Morgan County lighted by electricity and features two tunnels once connected to hotels across the street. As recently as the 1930's, performers at the Opera House used the tunnels to walk from their hotel rooms to the dressing rooms. For the past 50 years, the Opera House has served the community as a movie theatre.
Located “on the square” in downtown McConnelsville, the Opera House underwent a major renovation in 1996. For more information, call (740) 962-3030. top»
Morgan County Courthouse
Located on the square in downtown McConnelsville, the Morgan County Courthouse is considered one of the most beautiful in the state of Ohio. This Greek Classic structure was built in 1858 at a cost of $10,000. A bell was added soon after the building was constructed, in 1866, and was replaced by a tower clock which still strikes on the hour today. The courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday. top»
Embree Park
Embree Park, which is home to Ohio’s largest butternut tree, offers visitors a taste of history with an old Quaker meeting house and cemetery. Located on State Route 377 in the Village of Pennsville, Embree Park has a shelter house, as well as picnic and restroom facilities. For more information, call 740-962-3200. top»
Wayne National Forest
A total of 30,000 acres of the Wayne National Forest are located on the west side of Morgan County, adjacent to Burr Oak State Park. Managed for multiple use by the US Forest Service, the Wayne National Forest offers visitors many opportunities for fishing and hunting. For more information, contact the Wayne National Forest office at 740-373-9055. Maps of the area are available on the web at www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/. top»
Buckeye Trail
Over 40 miles of the Buckeye Trail wind through Morgan County in what is known as the Stockport section. It crosses the county diagonally, entering the Villages of both Stockport and Chesterhill, as well as passing through Burr Oak State Park, the AEP ReCreation Land, and the Wolf Creek Wildlife Area. This section is one of the most scenic areas of the entire trail, and it is kept well-maintained and ready for hikers. For more information and maps, visit http://www.buckeyetrail.org/. top»
Muskingum River Parkway
The Muskingum River Parkway has the oldest hand-operated lock and dam system still in use in the country today. This navigation system, which is over 160 years old, is a National Civil Engineering Landmark and portions of it are listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Used strictly for recreation, the Muskingum River provides the perfect backdrop for boating, fishing, ore relaxing on one of Ohio’s most scenic waterways. For more information, lock hours, and for special events, call 740-453-4377 or visit http://www.stateparks.com/muskingum_river_parkway.html. top»
Morgan County Fairgrounds Golf Course
The Morgan County Fairgrounds Golf Course is located within the county fairgrounds. This nine-hole course is the only one of its kind in the state of Ohio, making it a great recreation opportunity for the entire family. For information on hours and fees, call 740-962-3245 or visit http://www.morgancofair.org/. top»
Covered Bridges
The five covered bridges of Morgan County are an important part of county history that is being preserved for the future. Only one is currently open to vehicle traffic, and is scheduled for restoration in the near future. Directions to all 5 bridges are available at the County Engineer’s office and from the Visitor’s Center located in the Riecker Building on 155 East Main Street in McConnelsville. top»
Kate Love Simpson Library
The Kate Love Simpson library has branches in both McConnelsville and Chesterhill. Both branches offer patrons books, DVD’s, CD’s, videos, magazines, and much more. In addition to the extensive genealogy room in the main library in McConnelsville, the library also offers computer classes, story hours, chess, mahjong, and knitting sessions.
The main library is located at 358 East Main St. in McConnelsville, 740-962-2533. The Chesterhill Branch is located at 7520 Marion St (SR 377) in Chesterhill, 740-554-7104. top»
Morgan County Farmer’s Market & Chesterhill Produce Auction
Experience the tastes of Morgan County with a stop at the Morgan County Farmer’s Market or the Chesterhill Produce Auction. The Farmer’s Market begins the third Friday in April and runts until the last Friday in October. The market sets up on the Commons in McConnelsville on Friday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Produce Auction starts the last Thursday in April and is held weekly through October on Mondays from 5 p.m. to dusk and on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to dusk. The auctions begin promptly at 3 p.m. each Thursday. Other special auctions are held throughout the season. Both venues provide shoppers with local produce, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, plants, and locally made crafts. For more information about the Farmers Market, call Jeff Shaner at 740-962-4854. For information about the Produce Auction, contact Jean Konkle at 740-554-7339. top»
Hickory Ridge Shops & Orchards
Perched along the ridge top of some of SE Ohio’s most pristine and beautiful gentle rolling hills are the quaint shops and orchards of Hickory Ridge. This is a spot time has forgotten; a place unspoiled by urban sprawl and development. Here you will find art & crafts and gifts from nature that will satisfy any appetite and soul. Most of these “hidden treasures” are made by the Hickory Ridge artisans and their friends & neighbors. The Hickory Ridge group was organized on April 12, 2004, to provide a marketing, advertising and promotional cooperative for its members.
A wide array of products are available at Hickory Ridge. Many are hand-crafted and include such items as Stained Glass art; birdhouses, lamps and more, made from century-old barn siding; grapevine wreaths and other primitive crafts, candles, soaps, etc.; fine furniture; hand-made brooms; antiques, natural foods, dog & cat lover products; and seasonal fresh fruits, jellies and jams. Information is available at http://www.hickoryridgeohio.com/ or by calling 740-557-3129.
Hickory Ridge is comprised of 8 shops representing 45 artists; located just 11 miles east of Burr Oak State Park, and 5 miles west of Malta, Ohio on state route 78. The shops include:
• Jo-Ad Natural Foods
• D*N*A* Enterprises (Environmental Solutions)
• Never Never Fruit Farm
• Carla’s Antique Cupboard
• Massey's Orchard and Tax Service
• Shew’s Orchard - www.shewsorchard.com
• Muffins Guest House, a country bed and breakfast – www.muffinsguesthouse.com
• C Square Rustic Crafts - www.csquarecrafts.com
• American Elm Workshop
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