Beaver Creek State Park (Ohio) is largely focused on the history of the old Sandy and Beaver Canal which was incorporated in 1828. The canal ran from Bolivar, OH to Glasgow, PA and linked the Ohio & Erie Canal with the Pennsylvania & Erie Canal. Businesses and communities sprang up along the canal, many of which were grist mills. Such is the case with the "ghost town" of Sprucevale. A grist mill was built here by one James Brookes in 1810. Three years later the mill was bought by the Hambleton brothers. A town of 20 lots was platted out and Sprucevale became a busy little community supporting about 15 families. The canal failed in 1852 and Sprucevale was totally abandoned by 1870. The only structure left is the mill.
Of course any ghost town worth its salt has - well - ghosts!(or at least ghostly legends). In Sprucevale, a couple of these would be the ghosts of Gretchen (note that Gretchen's lock is nearby) and Esther Hale.
A map of the park is available at the rangers' station in the Gaston Mill section of the park which is accessible by following Echo Dell Rd. Please try to stay a while to enjoy this beautiful area and its history.
For a nice short but "aerobic" hike, park at one spot and walk between the "Charles Arthurt Floyd" cache, by K-Family Hikers and this one. See K-Family Hikers log below from 12/5/05 for details.