Nelson Kennedy Ledges   Save
Ohio Guide Photographs
Description: This photograph shows man standing at the base of a steep cliff, with long tree roots stretching their way to the ground below. In 1940, the state purchased land at Nelson Ledges, and in 1948, it bought 101 acres of the area known as Kennedy Ledges. The state of Ohio created Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park in 1949 to preserve the area. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is popular for picnicking and hiking. The park, located on State Route 282 in Nelson Township, is near one of the highest points of the state and is close to the watershed divide between the Ohio River and Lake Erie. The rock formations at the 167-acre Nelson-Kennedy Ledges have become trademarks of the park. The sandstone cliff formations resulted from the forces of erosion — wind, water freezing and thawing — that wore away at the softer rock layers. As these soft layers eroded, large blocks of rock called slump blocks fell away leaving more resistant layers to form ledges above. Within the park are angled rock formations 50 to 60 feet high with ground fissures as deep as 60 feet. Cascade Falls and plant life typical of more northern climates can also be found at the park View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B10F02_015_001
Subjects: Parks--Ohio; State Parks--Ohio--Pictorial works. & reserves--Ohio--1930-1940; Nelson Ledges State Park
Places: Nelson Township (Ohio); Portage County (Ohio)