Most people think of Fort Ancient as one of the premier archaeological sites in Ohio – and it certainly is that. About two thousand years ago, Native Americans of the Hopewell Culture built more than 18,000 lineal feet of earthen walls. These vary from fairly low to nearly 20 feet high and enclose an irregularly-shaped area of about 100 acres. You can learn more about these fantastic feats of engineering (all done by hand and by baskets-full of dirt) and the astronomical alignments that some of the walls and mound create by visiting the 9,000 square foot museum at the site. Begin your tour by visiting our website for Fort Ancient at http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/portal/name-p.shtml .
With more than 750 acres of land stretching from the hilltop down to the gorge of the Little Miami River nearly 290 feet below – Fort Ancient also offers plenty of interesting natural features. Bluebirds, Red-headed Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanagers, Red-shouldered Hawks and numerous other birds were seen on a recent visit, and wildflowers are abundant especially in spring. Several trails are available and useful both to learn more abo
ut the archaeology and the natural history of the site.
Recently, an Eagle Scout candidate, Kevin Knippenberg, completed a project to build a bridge that adds greatly to the ease of using one of the trails at Fort Ancient. Kevin worked with OHS staff and the Buckeye Trail Association – as this trail is on OHS property, but is an official side-trail of the BTA. Darryl Smith of the BTA worked with Kevin in the planning and during part of the actual construction.
The trail starts at the ODNR canoe access on SR 350 and the
Little Miami River – goes east up the road to the turn-off for the adjacent Kings Domain camp, follows that road north a short distance before heading off into the woods. After another 2/3 of the total 2.5 miles, it re-joins the Little Miami Greenway trail, which you follow south (downriver) back to the canoe launch site. The bridge was needed to gap the bed of Ferris Run – a stream which often is dry – but in heavy rain is a raging torrent.
The first task was to build piers on either end of the stream to support the bridge stringers. In addition to the hard work, this required having an OHS archaeologist on staff to supervise all the digging. The site in close to the prehistoric Anderson Village site, which in the early 20th century yielded vast finds of a Fort Ancient Culture village in the area. Anytime there is digging on an
y of our historic or prehistoric sites we are certain to have the watchful eye of an archaeologist present just in case any artifacts or features are discovered in the process.
The day the piers were built was one of the more pleasant and mild early spring days we had this past April. Kevin’s crew was not so lucky the following week when they brought out the carefully engineered stringers and deck boards. Just carrying these to the site was no easy task. But solving such problems and logistics is part of what an Eagle Scout project is all about.
Finally, just in time for the Annual Meeting of the Buckeye Trail Association in late April, the bridge was completed. Several hikes with BTA members were able to use this trail and the new bridge during their meeting.
With more than 750 acres of land stretching from the hilltop down to the gorge of the Little Miami River nearly 290 feet below – Fort Ancient also offers plenty of interesting natural features. Bluebirds, Red-headed Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanagers, Red-shouldered Hawks and numerous other birds were seen on a recent visit, and wildflowers are abundant especially in spring. Several trails are available and useful both to learn more abo
ut the archaeology and the natural history of the site.Recently, an Eagle Scout candidate, Kevin Knippenberg, completed a project to build a bridge that adds greatly to the ease of using one of the trails at Fort Ancient. Kevin worked with OHS staff and the Buckeye Trail Association – as this trail is on OHS property, but is an official side-trail of the BTA. Darryl Smith of the BTA worked with Kevin in the planning and during part of the actual construction.
The trail starts at the ODNR canoe access on SR 350 and the
Little Miami River – goes east up the road to the turn-off for the adjacent Kings Domain camp, follows that road north a short distance before heading off into the woods. After another 2/3 of the total 2.5 miles, it re-joins the Little Miami Greenway trail, which you follow south (downriver) back to the canoe launch site. The bridge was needed to gap the bed of Ferris Run – a stream which often is dry – but in heavy rain is a raging torrent.
Here you see Darryl and Kevin “mid-stream” during a dry spell last July – planning where and how to place the bridge.
Actual construction started early this past April, with Kevin gathering together other members of his troop. The materials were purchased with money from a variety of fund raising events that Kevin led as part of his Eagle requirements to complete the project.
Actual construction started early this past April, with Kevin gathering together other members of his troop. The materials were purchased with money from a variety of fund raising events that Kevin led as part of his Eagle requirements to complete the project.
The first task was to build piers on either end of the stream to support the bridge stringers. In addition to the hard work, this required having an OHS archaeologist on staff to supervise all the digging. The site in close to the prehistoric Anderson Village site, which in the early 20th century yielded vast finds of a Fort Ancient Culture village in the area. Anytime there is digging on an
y of our historic or prehistoric sites we are certain to have the watchful eye of an archaeologist present just in case any artifacts or features are discovered in the process.The day the piers were built was one of the more pleasant and mild early spring days we had this past April. Kevin’s crew was not so lucky the following week when they brought out the carefully engineered stringers and deck boards. Just carrying these to the site was no easy task. But solving such problems and logistics is part of what an Eagle Scout project is all about.
Finally, just in time for the Annual Meeting of the Buckeye Trail Association in late April, the bridge was completed. Several hikes with BTA members were able to use this trail and the new bridge during their meeting.
Here is the finished bridge as it stands today. 
Each end has been reinforced with rock from the stream bed and the bridge is ready for service.
Thanks and congratulations to Kevin Knippenberg and his crew!
With the paved pathway of the Little Miami Greenway right nearby, why would anyone want to take this 2.5 mile long side-trail? Diversity of habitat and the challenge of a climb are two factors. After the trail crosses Ferris Run and travels a bit further on relatively flat flood plain of the Little Miami, it climbs to a hilltop not far from the tall Jeremiah Morrow Bridge on which Interstate 71 crosses the valley. The trail makes good use of gentle switchbacks, so while you are climbing long and high – it is not too strenuous. Along the northern most hilltop (as you weave back and forth) is what is probably the western-most outlier of the Appalachian Plateau, with trees like Chestnut Oak and plants like Huckleberry which typically are found in Ohio far to the east and not in southwestern Ohio. It is a rugged but beautiful landscape that few people take the time to enjoy.
Several other trails are available at Fort Ancient. In the South Fort you can walk the Earthworks trail, which loops around inside the earthworks. At several points along this relatively level trail there are interpretive signs which talk about the prehistoric culture that built the earthworks here. At the North Overlook you can look out over the valley of the Little Miami River, and also see the distant Interstate Bridge. The Connector Trail leads down the 290 foot hillside to the Little Miami Scenic Greenway – and ultimately then the river itself. It is a steep climb, but again with wonderful scenery. Staff from OHS and another potential Eagle Scout candidate are currently working to repair and re-align some segments of this trail – as the Illinoian age glacial till erodes readily and without regular work can become slippery and erode. You’ll probably see places where this trail has been re-designed, and other places that still need more work. Bear with us – but with caution it can be an enjoyable trail, which lots of people walk almost daily. About half-way down the Connector Trail is the Terrace Trail, which loops around the hillside at a middle elevation, following the almost flat natural terrace of the hillside, left from an earlier stage of glacial erosion in the valley. Wildflowers abound along this trial in the spring – including the interesting and unusual American Columbo. The trail re-connects with the Earthworks trail, which can loop you back to either the North Overlook, the South Overlook and several different parking options.
We hope you visit Fort Ancient – it is a wonderful site. Why not plan to visit the museum, enjoy a picnic lunch and hike one or more or our trails before heading home! Staff at the museum can direct you to the appropriate trail heads.
Each end has been reinforced with rock from the stream bed and the bridge is ready for service.Thanks and congratulations to Kevin Knippenberg and his crew!
With the paved pathway of the Little Miami Greenway right nearby, why would anyone want to take this 2.5 mile long side-trail? Diversity of habitat and the challenge of a climb are two factors. After the trail crosses Ferris Run and travels a bit further on relatively flat flood plain of the Little Miami, it climbs to a hilltop not far from the tall Jeremiah Morrow Bridge on which Interstate 71 crosses the valley. The trail makes good use of gentle switchbacks, so while you are climbing long and high – it is not too strenuous. Along the northern most hilltop (as you weave back and forth) is what is probably the western-most outlier of the Appalachian Plateau, with trees like Chestnut Oak and plants like Huckleberry which typically are found in Ohio far to the east and not in southwestern Ohio. It is a rugged but beautiful landscape that few people take the time to enjoy.
Several other trails are available at Fort Ancient. In the South Fort you can walk the Earthworks trail, which loops around inside the earthworks. At several points along this relatively level trail there are interpretive signs which talk about the prehistoric culture that built the earthworks here. At the North Overlook you can look out over the valley of the Little Miami River, and also see the distant Interstate Bridge. The Connector Trail leads down the 290 foot hillside to the Little Miami Scenic Greenway – and ultimately then the river itself. It is a steep climb, but again with wonderful scenery. Staff from OHS and another potential Eagle Scout candidate are currently working to repair and re-align some segments of this trail – as the Illinoian age glacial till erodes readily and without regular work can become slippery and erode. You’ll probably see places where this trail has been re-designed, and other places that still need more work. Bear with us – but with caution it can be an enjoyable trail, which lots of people walk almost daily. About half-way down the Connector Trail is the Terrace Trail, which loops around the hillside at a middle elevation, following the almost flat natural terrace of the hillside, left from an earlier stage of glacial erosion in the valley. Wildflowers abound along this trial in the spring – including the interesting and unusual American Columbo. The trail re-connects with the Earthworks trail, which can loop you back to either the North Overlook, the South Overlook and several different parking options.
We hope you visit Fort Ancient – it is a wonderful site. Why not plan to visit the museum, enjoy a picnic lunch and hike one or more or our trails before heading home! Staff at the museum can direct you to the appropriate trail heads.
Bob Glotzhober
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3 comments:
Is there a goto source for geology of Ft Ancient? Is it on top of Illinoian terrace? Or erosional remnant of Ordivician strata? Just curious. Always look for that info when I visit a site. Don Corwin
Thank you for your sharing! I like your posts very much,they are interesting and meaningful!
Hey Mr. Hlotzhober, I appreciate you writing this article to increase use of the trail. One thing in case any BSA members see this. The year of this project was 2012.
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