Lake Alma
Lake Alma
Lake Alma State Park is situated in the heart of Ohio's picturesque and challenging terrain. The serene lake and tranquil creek winding through a forested valley offer a peaceful environment for guests of the park.
A Little About the Nature of the Area
Lake Alma is situated in the heart of Ohio's unglaciated hill country, which is a part of the Appalachian Highlands. The majority of the rock layers consist of acidic sandstones, shales, and coals, with occasional limestone formations. Over time, this region has transformed into diverse habitats after being uplifted from the ancient sea that once covered Ohio. Presently, more than seventy percent of Ohio's remaining woodlands are found in this area, occupying only one-third of the state's land. Lake Alma showcases a prime example of the second growth forest that now thrives in this part of the state, predominantly composed of mixed oak trees. As forest succession took place on the surrounding farmlands, the population of deer, grouse, gray squirrels, and other woodland species experienced an upswing. In the late 1950s, wild turkeys were reintroduced to this region, resulting in Vinton County having the highest population of this species. Lake Alma also boasts a wide variety of woodland wildflowers, including large-flowered trillium, wild geranium, and hepatica. The forest floor is adorned with an assortment of ferns, mosses, and lichens. Notably, the woodthrush, pileated woodpecker, great-horned owl, and barred owl have made this park their permanent residence.
Some History
After the Treaty of Greenville of 1795, the Indian threat in the Ohio territory subsided, paving the way for settlement. The initial geological examination of Ohio unveiled the mineral-rich nature of Vinton County. Millstone, coal, and iron ore served as the foundation for thriving industries. The charcoal iron sector fueled growth in the Hanging Rock iron region. Between 1818 and the early 1900s, vast woodlands were cleared to supply the 46 furnaces in the area. By the mid-1800s, Ohio had become the primary producer of iron for tools and weapons in the country. The millstones extracted from Raccoon Creek helped reduce reliance on imported French and Pennsylvania buhrstone. The Raccoon Creek quarry was just one of eight millstone producers in Ohio during the mid-1800s. Coal was once a significant export from Vinton County. While its prominence has diminished in recent years, it still contributes to the local economy. Presently, the timber industry stands as the most crucial sector in the county. Vinton County holds the distinction of being the least populated and most densely forested county in Ohio. Lake Alma, established in 1903 by the late C.K. Davis, a prosperous coal entrepreneur, was initially developed as an amusement park. The park featured a large dance pavilion, an outdoor theater, a merry-go-round, and various other attractions. However, its success was short-lived, lasting only until 1910, when the city of Wellston acquired it for use as a municipal water source. The city now leases the area to the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation for management as a state park.
