Description: View of the damaged bath house at Buckeye Lake, Ohio, after a cyclone hit in June 1922. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called "Big Swamp" or "Big Pond." In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. By the early 20th century, the reservoir had become an attractive location for recreational activities, including through the construction of Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, and the Columbus, Buckeye Lake and Newark Interurban Electric Railway, an electric trolley system, connected the park to nearby urban areas. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05316
Subjects: Tornadoes--Ohio; Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Panoramic photograph of the entrance to Buckeye Lake Park, ca. 1930. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called "Big Swamp" or "Big Pond." In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. By the early 20th century, the reservoir had become an attractive location for recreational activities, including through the construction of Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, and the Columbus, Buckeye Lake and Newark Interurban Electric Railway, an electric trolley system, connected the park to nearby urban areas. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: OVS4458_buckeyelake
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; State parks & reserves; Canals--Ohio--History--19th century; Buckeye Lake State Park (Ohio); Amusement parks--Ohio
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio);
 

Description: Night meeting of the Ohio State Konklave, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan at Buckeye Lake on July 12, 1923. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was originally founded in 1866, but was disbanded in the years after the Civil War. The Klan arose again in 1915 by the efforts of William Joseph Simmons. This new Klan not only targeted blacks, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. During the 1920s, Klan membership increased dramatically. In Ohio, membership is estimated to have reached 300,000. Rallies like this one occurring at Buckeye Lake were some of the biggest in the country during this time. At this time, Licking County had a strong Klan presence, one reason why this site was chosen for the statewide konklave (meeting). The all-day event included speeches by notable Klan members, an initiation ceremony, a cross set afire, and fireworks. It is estimated that the rally drew 75,000 attendees. Text at bottom of image reads "OHIO STATE KLONKLAVE KNIGHTS OF THE-KU-KLUX-KLAN BUCKEYE LAKE JULY 12 - 1923." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02931
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing rail lines at Buckeye Lake, with a caption beneath reading: "State switch at Buckeye Lake." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_081
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Ohio Economy--Transportation and Development; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photographs documenting a Fourth of July parade of boats held on Buckeye Lake in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1969. Buckeye Lake near Millersport, Ohio, was built in 1826 as a feeder lake for the canal system. Recreation was a popular activity at the lake in the 19th century, and many people visited Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, which operated in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1949, Buckeye Lake State Park was created. Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although Congress voted for independence on July 2nd, the declaration was dated July 4th. In 1777, Philadelphia marked the occasion by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and fireworks, and the custom eventually spread to other towns. During the Revolutionary War, the holiday was celebrated by rifle and cannon salutes, setting a precedent for booming noises. Independence Day celebrations traditionally include fireworks, parades, picnics, speeches, and military displays. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3251_4435708_002
Subjects: Sports; Fourth of July celebrations; Boats; Parades; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing an unidentified man observing a wall at Buckeye Lake. The wall helps direct the flow of water and also prevents flooding. The caption beneath the photograph reads: "Wall at Sayer's Boat House, Buckeye Lake. Should be rebuilt." The attached description located on the back of the page reads: "PHOTOGRAPH No. 78.| BUCKEYE LAKE WALL.| This photograph shows the disintegrated condition of the stone wall at Buckeye Lake. This wall was laid without any mortar and affords very little protection from wash at this point. A dangerous condition exists and a break in the lake bank would entirely annihilate this state park." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_078A
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Ohio Economy--Transportation and Development; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing a boat house on the shore of Buckeye Lake. The caption beneath the photograph reads: "Near Sayer's Boat House, Buckeye Lake." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_078
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Houses; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing a wall along the shore of Buckeye Lake. The wall helps direct the flow of water and also prevents flooding. The caption beneath the photograph reads: "Wall at Buckeye Lake, Ohio." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_079
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Ohio Economy--Transportation and Development; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing unidentified men checking the depth of the water at Buckeye Lake. The men are standing on a wall, which is used to direct the flow of water and prevent flooding. The caption beneath the photograph reads: "Buckeye Lake Wall." The attached description on the back reads: "PHOTOGRAPH No. 80.| BUCKEYE LAKE WALL.| This photograph shows the uncompleted portion just south of the dry dock. This wall should be brought to a higher level to prevent washing of the bank." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_080
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Ohio Economy--Transportation and Development; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing unidentified men walking around a wall at Buckeye Lake. A wall helps direct the flow of water and also prevents flooding. The caption beneath this photograph reads: "Wall at Buckeye Lake Park." This photograph is part of a series taken by the Board of the Ohio Department of Public Works to document the disrepair of the infrastructure of the Ohio and Erie Canal and Miami-Erie Canal systems in 1916, showing the physical condition of each structure. The Ohio Department of Public Works is one of the oldest departments of state government in continuous existence. Among its other duties, this department was charged with maintenance and administration of the Ohio & Erie and Miami-Erie Canals. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA936AV_B01_083
Subjects: Waterworks; Rivers; Canals; Lakes & ponds; Dams; Ohio Economy--Transportation and Development; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image shows a portion of Buckeye Lake in Licking County, Ohio. began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called "Big Swamp" or "Big Pond." In the 1820s, the state began construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and workers built a dike that diverted water from the south fork of the Licking River into the pond, which then became known as the Licking Reservoir or Licking Summit Reservoir. As canals declined in use in the second half of the 19th century, the Ohio and Erie Canal was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but the canal's decline did not mean an end to the Licking Reservoir. Instead, the state legislature renamed it Buckeye Lake and made it a public park in 1894. By the early 20th century, the reservoir had become an attractive location for recreational activities, including through the construction of Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, and the Columbus, Buckeye Lake and Newark Interurban Electric Railway, an electric trolley system, connected the park to nearby urban areas. In 1949, the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as a state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. Although the amusement park no longer exists, Buckeye Lake State Park still attracts a number of visitors to the area each year, in addition to the many people who own vacation homes near the lake or live in the area year-round. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06511
Subjects: Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; State parks & reserves; Canals--Ohio--History--19th century;
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio); Perry County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a group of sailboats cruising around Buckeye Lake in Licking County, ca. 1960s or 1970s. Buckeye Lake began as a small pond that Ohio's American Indians called “Big Swamp” or “Big Pond.” In the 1820s, the state of Ohio developed it as a water source for the Licking Summit of the Ohio and Erie Canal, and engineers dammed the north and west sides of the swamp. This part of the canal project was completed in 1830. After the summit level of the canal became inactive in the 1890s, the State developed Licking Summit Reservoir (Buckeye Lake) for recreation. The Columbus, Buckeye Lake, and Newark Traction Company developed an "electric park" here, bringing in excursionists on inter-urban cars between 1904 and 1929 and creating one of the region's most popular resorts. Hotels and summer cottages proliferated on leased ground. The Great Depression changed the environment of Buckeye Lake significantly. The rail line went out of business, which meant that many people could no longer afford to travel to the park. A number of families began to live in their summer cottages year-round because they could no longer afford their more expensive homes in the cities. The amusement park continued to operate during this era, constantly working to add features that would attract more visitors, such as a roller coaster, a roller skating rink, a nightclub, and the Crystal Ballroom and Pool. The ballroom attracted a number of famous performers, including Guy Lombardo, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, among others. Grand entertainments continued throughout the 1940s, and the amusement park attracted as many as fifty thousand people each day. In 1949 the state of Ohio designated Buckeye Lake as the first state park. The amusement park began to decline in popularity by the late 1950s and continued to deteriorate in the 1960s. The crowds that had once flocked to the park had disappeared, and buildings were torn down one by one. Visitors to Buckeye Lake today can find only one remaining remnant of the old Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, a fountain that is located at the Buckeye Lake State Park's North Shore. The lake has 3,800 acres of water, 35 miles of shoreline, and twenty islands. Today the lake area has become the water recreation center of central Ohio, providing boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, golfing, picnicking, and ice sports. The lake extends into three counties: Fairfield, Licking and Perry. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06653
Subjects: Sailboats; Sailing; Lakes & ponds; Buckeye Lake State Park (Ohio); Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History; State parks & reserves; Amusement parks
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)