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Salt Fork is said to have derived its name from a salt well
used by Native Americans which was located near the
southeastern corner of the park.
Historically, this part of
southeastern Ohio was one of the first areas of the state to
be settled by the pioneers emigrating westward from the
crowded eastern seaboard. Some of these settlers may have followed Zane’s Trace into
the Ohio wilderness — a route that led a few families into
the Guernsey County area. From Zanesville east to the Ohio
River, the Trace became part of the National Road, a major
east-west transportation route constructed in 1811. Today,
the old National Road is known as U.S. Route 40 and passes
near Salt Fork State Park.
One of the early residents of
Guernsey County, David B. Kennedy, constructed a beautiful
stone house overlooking Sugar Tree Fork in 1840. Built from
locally-quarried stone cut into blocks, the
Kennedy Stone House is a sturdy reminder of bygone days.
Because of its unique and enduring construction, the house
is listed in the National Register of Historic places and
can be visited throughout the year.
While the southeastern U.S. was the most important staging
area for many Civil War battles, southeastern Ohio saw a few
skirmishes, too. Morgan’s Raiders, a small group of
Confederate soldiers, made excursions into the Salt Fork
area under constant pursuit from Union Troops led by General
Shakelford.
As the 19th Century progressed, industry continued to
develop in Ohio, and many of the southeastern Ohio counties
came into prominence as coal-producing areas. Responding to
the demand for this important fuel source, Guernsey County
became one of Ohio’s leading coal producers. Abundant
reserves of clay allowed the development of a thriving
pottery industry in the county as well. The present
impoundment at Salt Fork dates back to 1956 when planning
for the lake was begun. The reservoir was originally slated
to become a water source for the city of Cambridge, but the
potential for the area to become a major recreation area in
the state was so great that, in 1960, land acquisition was
begun to create a state park. The earthen dam was completed
in 1967, and construction of recreational facilities began
in mid 1968. The spacious Salt Fork Lodge was opened in May
1972. |
Friends
of Salt Fork State Park, Inc.
