National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Jefferson Lake State Park
State Park Information
Jefferson Lake State Park
6835 E. Lake Rd.
Lisbon
State Park Overview
Nature of the Area
The sandstone hills of Jefferson County are part of the Appalachian Highlands which envelop the southeastern part of Ohio. In the sandstone bedrock can be found layers of coal which were formed by decaying swamp vegetation millions of years ago during the Pennsylvanian geologic period.
Covering the hills and valleys of the area is a second growth oak and hickory forest. Growing side-by-side with towering white oaks and shagbark hickories are stately beeches and maples, tulip trees, walnuts, elms and ashes. The forest is composed of much more than trees -lthough they constitute its most conspicuous feature. The observant visitor may find a wealth of wildflowers such as wild geranium, hepatica and bloodroot. The leafy canopy rings with a harmonious chorus of bird songs. Wild turkey and ruffed grouse are dispersed in these hills and forests as well. These are just a few of the natural wonders found at Jefferson Lake.
Camping
Trails
Picnicking
Boating
Swimming
Fishing and Hunting
History of the Area
The Jefferson Lake region was once the home of Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief whose family was massacred - here on the Ohio River at the mouth of Yellow creek. This incident spurred Lord Dunmores War in 1774.
In more recent times, the area has been home to the steel industry in Ohio. The underlying coal fields and Ohio River access have made it a focal point of this industry.
Jefferson Lake State Park was developed on 962 acres in the valley of the Town Fork of Yellow Creek. Land acquisition began in 1928. The lake and other facilities were constructed by the National Park Service in cooperation with the old Ohio Division of Conservation as a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression. The dam was constructed in 1934 and the 17-acre lake was filled in 1946. In 1950, the area was turned over to the newly created Division of Parks and Recreation.
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