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Madison Lake State Park
State Park Information
Madison Lake State Park
20635 Waterloo Road
Mt. Sterling, 43143-9501


State Park Overview

Nature of the Area
Madison Lake State Park lies within the Darby Plains of Madison County. These plains, before settlement, resembled smaller versions of the Great Plains found in the West. Ohios original landscape, before being altered by man, was about 95 percent forest with the remaining 5 percent comprised of wetlands and prairies. In Ohio, there were about 1,000 square miles of prairie encompassing the land.

During a dry period -bout 4,000 years ago, conditions were favorable that allowed prairies to expand eastward into Ohio. This extension known as the Prairie Peninsula covered an area east of the Missouri River, south of the Great Lakes and north of the Ohio River. In time, the climate became more humid and more favorable for forest growth. The prairie retreated to the Indiana-Illinois border leaving isolated pockets in Ohio. Few prairies survive in Ohio as agriculture, woody plants and Eurasian weeds have taken their toll. Prairies do still exist along highway and railroad right-of-ways, marsh borders and abandoned cemeteries.

One of the best examples of existing prairie in Ohio is within the Darby Plains of Madison County. Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve - Chuckery contains significant prairie plants including big bluestem, Indian grass and purple coneflower. Smith Cemetery Prairie -lso of Madison County, contains stiff goldenrod, gray willow and wild petunia.

Animals that favor the habitat of this area include the woodchuck (groundhog), red fox, ring-ecked pheasant, 13-lined ground squirrel and numerous songbirds. Kestrels, horned larks, bobolinks and meadowlarks can be spotted in the park. The lake supports populations of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Trails

Picnicking

Boating

Swimming

Fishing and Hunting

History of the Area
This area was first settled by pioneers in 1796. Jonathan Alder, who was captured by Indians as a child and released fifteen years later, was the first permanent white settler along Big Darby Creek in the Darby Plains. Darby Creek was named after a Wyandot Chief (Darby) who resided along the stream.

Settlers considered the Darby Plains and other Ohio prairies almost worthless and unsuitable for farming, reasoning treeless land must be infertile. Wood for fuel and building materials had to be hauled from distant woodlands and the wet prairies became impassable during heavy rains. During dry periods, fires frequently swept the landscape and early attempts to plow the soil were thwarted by the tough, thick prairie sod. Eventually -s drainage systems improved and the steel plow was invented, settlement increased on the prairie. The Darby Plains soon became a well- known and important livestock center where large herds of cattle were raised and shipped to eastern markets. Perhaps this is due to the tough prairie sod being more suitable for grazing than for tilling. The livestock sales at London, Ohio obtained a wide distinction throughout the central and western states among cattle and horse dealers. On the day before the sales, the various roads leading to London became clogged with droves of cattle. The cattle were brought from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and other states. Several thousand people would crowd the streets to witness the sales and transact business.

In 1946 - small tract of land in the area was deeded to the state of Ohio for the purpose of developing a lake. Under the supervision of the old Division of Conservation - dam was constructed across Deer Creek. The lake was filled by 1947 and in 1950, the 106-acre Madison Lake was turned over to the newly created, ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation.



More Info

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Area Attractions
Deer Creek State Park is located south of Madison Lake via State Route 207 and offers camping, boating, fishing, hiking and a resort lodge and cabins. Big Darby Wildlife Area is east of the park on State Route 665, one mile west of Darbydale and offers fishing and hunting opportunities.

Nearby, two excellent examples of tallgrass prairie are preserved at Bigelow Cemetery and Smith Cemetery by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Both areas are state nature preserves and are open to the public during daylight hours.

Area Campgrounds

Alton RV Park
6552 W Broad St
Galloway, OH
(614) 878-9127

Buccaneer Campsites
1408 State Route 307 W
Jefferson, OH
(440) 576-2881

Wagon Trails Resort
4051 State Route 46 S
Jefferson, OH
(440) 294-3991

Walnut Lake Campgrounds
9877 State Route 41
Jeffersonville, OH
(740) 426-8852



Area Fishing Related Businesses

REI Lakes Fishing & Campground
3815 Crabill Rd
Mechanicsburg, OH
Unverified listing

Mad River Outfitters
813 Bethel Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 451-0363

R & R Sports Headquarters Bait Tackle & Archery Dept
781 S Front St
Columbus, OH
(614) 443-4954

Gander Mountain
5388 Westpointe Plaza Dr
Columbus, OH
(614) 921-2223

Fisherman's West Bait & Tackle
5327 W Broad St
Columbus, OH
(614) 878-2505

Fish-Ins Inc
1565 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 8412224

Uncle Bug Tackle Mfg
894 Kingland Dr
Columbus, OH
(614) 491-6817

Columbus Wholesale Fish Bait
4037 Lockbourne Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 491-0152

Fisherman's Warehouse
1125 Williams Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 491-8383

Lee's Live Bait & Tackle
4524 London Groveport Rd
Grove City, OH
(614) 539-5551

Hunting & Fishing Ctr
193 Hawkes Ave
Columbus, OH
(614) 228-8185

Bait World Inc
Grove City, OH
(614) 539-5551



Area Resorts and Lodging

Deer Creek Resort Conference
2355 E Livingston Ave
Columbus, OH
(740) 869-2020

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
350 North High Street
Columbus, OH
(614) 4632234

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
75 East State Street
Columbus, OH
(614) 2282234

Marriott Hotels & Resorts Columbus Marriott North
6500 Doubletree Ave
Columbus, OH
(614) 8852885

Marriott Hotels & Resorts
1375 N Cassady Ave
Columbus, OH
(614) 475-7551

Fairfield Inn
3031 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 2672111

The Columbus Renaissance Hotel
50 N 3rd St
Columbus, OH
(614) 228-5050

Airport Golf Course
900 N Hamilton Rd
Columbus, OH
(614) 645-3127


Madison Lake State Park