The Delaware County Historical Society graciously contributes a monthly history column to Delaware Source, exploring the people, places and moments that shaped our community.
Covering 4,630 acres with a 3,387 acre lake (reservoir), Alum Creek State Park is a Delaware County point of pride, ranking in the top 10 of Ohio state parks.
The lake features the largest inland beach in the state. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, 10 miles of designated hiking trails, mountain bike and bridle trails; a dog park, a Story Book Trail, and winter activities.
However, many visitors and county residents do not know about the fascinating (and fraught) history of developing the park.
The journey started in 1956 when plans were created to build a dam on Alum Creek to control flooding soon after Hoover Dam was completed in Westerville in 1955. Engineers and government officials also recognized the need to secure a future water supply for the growing city of Columbus.
Plans were solidified soon after Alum Creek breached its banks in January 1959, causing massive flooding, including evacuations on the east side of Columbus and significant property damage. Long before, the Army Corp of Engineers had developed a plan to control flooding in the larger region after the devastating flood of 1913.
Work began in 1970 after a period of significant upheaval in the area, involving residents having to leave farms and communities that included homes, businesses, and churches. Five cemeteries from several townships with approximately 2,500 graves had to be relocated. The Army Corp of Engineers oversaw the dismantling of the village of Cheshire.
The dam project was completed in 1974 and became operational in 1975.
About the Author: Becky Sutherland Cornett is a retired health care administrator, independent researcher and public historian with decades of publishing experience. She is a life member of the Delaware County Historical Society, a member of the Ohio History Connection’s Conestoga Society, the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH), the Lincoln Forum, and the Organization of American Historians (OAH). Since 2020, Cornett has focused on presenting, teaching, and writing about local and Ohio history topics.
Africa Settlement and the Underground Railroad
Most of the historically important settlement of Africa, including the Sycamore Trail of the Underground Railroad, were destroyed and are submerged today.
The story is that Samuel Patterson, who came to East Orange in 1824, formed a Wesleyan Methodist congregation there after a split in another congregation over sentiments about slavery.
A nearby resident who was hostile to abolition called Patterson’s settlement “Africa” derisively. The name stuck as Patterson and others helped freedom-seekers who were traveling along Alum Creek.
In 1859, about 30 emancipated persons — the Alstons from North Carolina — came to “Africa” and settled with Patterson and other residents. The Alstons became landowners themselves and participated in Underground Railroad efforts. Patterson’s house still stands along Africa Road.
Today, visitors can walk along a commemorative version of the old Sycamore Trail. Opened in 2024, the .75 mile Heritage of Freedom Trail at Alum Creek State Park is located near the Galena Boat Ramp.
Historical markers and interpretive panels tell the story of the people of the Africa community – Black and white working together, to help those who sought refuge. A Sycamore Trail historical marker shows where the original area was located.
Adena Mounds
Seven mounds dating to the Adena culture period (800 BCE-100 CE) were found in the Alum Creek Valley.
Five of the mounds — the Bagley Mound, James Mound, La Moreaux Mound, White Mound, and Alum Creek Mound — were investigated by the Ohio Historical Society, under contract to the National Park Service, prior to their inundation. Objects and detailed records were obtained.
According to archeology notes reported by the Ohio Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) the mounds had traces of circular wooden structures at their base that likely served, at least partly, as places where mortuary rituals took place.
Fort Cheshire
Fort Cheshire was a two-story log blockhouse erected during the War of 1812 to protect local settlers from potential British and Native American attacks.
The fort was never attacked. It was used later as a schoolhouse in Cheshire until the Civil War. Today, a plaque in the family campground area commemorates the fort.
There were about 45,000 overnight visitors to beautiful Alum Creek State Park in 2024, and many more day visitors. Few would imagine that such significant history is hidden in the depths of the lake.
Fortunately, those who take the time can explore and learn about what was there before over many decades of the past.
