John Bryan State Park
Encyclopedia
John Bryan State Park, part of the Buck Creek/John Bryan State Park Region, is a 752 acres (304.3 ha) Ohio state park in Greene County, Ohio
. The park surrounds Clifton Gorge, a deep cut of the Little Miami River
between Yellow Springs
and Clifton
. The park contains a campground, and hiking and biking trails. The park also abuts the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve.
By the late 19th century, most of the industrial activity in the area ceased. Water was no longer an economical source of power and many mills were abandoned. However, one of the grist mills built in 1802 is still in operation. Located in the village of Clifton, the Clifton Mill is open to visitors.
In 1896, John Bryan, an ambitious businessman, purchased 335 acres (135.6 ha) along the Clifton gorge area and called these acres "Riverside Farm." This portion of the Little Miami River
was a vital, economical source of power for the early settlers in the 19th century. In 1918, he bequeathed Riverside Farm to the state of Ohio, "...to be cultivated by the state as a forestry, botanic and wildlife reserve park and experiment station," which would bear his name. In May 1925, John Bryan's land became one of the state's first forest parks. In 1949, John Bryan State Park was transferred to the newly created ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. John Bryan State Park and the adjoining Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve overlook the beautiful Little Miami River gorge that has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Greene County, Ohio
Greene County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 161,573 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Xenia, and it was named for General Nathanael Greene, an officer in the Revolutionary War. Greene County was established on March 24, 1803.Greene County is part...
. The park surrounds Clifton Gorge, a deep cut of the Little Miami River
Little Miami River
The Little Miami River is a Class I tributary of the Ohio River that flows through five counties in southwestern Ohio in the United States. The Little Miami joins the Ohio River east of Cincinnati. It forms parts of the borders between Hamilton and Clermont counties and between Hamilton and Warren...
between Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Yellow Springs is a village in Greene County, Ohio, United States, and is the location of Antioch College and Antioch University Midwest. The population was 3,487 at the 2010 census...
and Clifton
Clifton, Ohio
Clifton is a village in Clark and Greene Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio and is home to the Clifton Mill, one of the largest water powered grist mills still in existence...
. The park contains a campground, and hiking and biking trails. The park also abuts the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve.
Background
The Cincinnati-Pittsburgh stagecoach road served the area and several enterprising settlers began establishing water-powered industries in the gorge. The town of Clifton prospered from the textile mill, grist mills and sawmills located there.By the late 19th century, most of the industrial activity in the area ceased. Water was no longer an economical source of power and many mills were abandoned. However, one of the grist mills built in 1802 is still in operation. Located in the village of Clifton, the Clifton Mill is open to visitors.
In 1896, John Bryan, an ambitious businessman, purchased 335 acres (135.6 ha) along the Clifton gorge area and called these acres "Riverside Farm." This portion of the Little Miami River
Little Miami River
The Little Miami River is a Class I tributary of the Ohio River that flows through five counties in southwestern Ohio in the United States. The Little Miami joins the Ohio River east of Cincinnati. It forms parts of the borders between Hamilton and Clermont counties and between Hamilton and Warren...
was a vital, economical source of power for the early settlers in the 19th century. In 1918, he bequeathed Riverside Farm to the state of Ohio, "...to be cultivated by the state as a forestry, botanic and wildlife reserve park and experiment station," which would bear his name. In May 1925, John Bryan's land became one of the state's first forest parks. In 1949, John Bryan State Park was transferred to the newly created ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation. John Bryan State Park and the adjoining Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve overlook the beautiful Little Miami River gorge that has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.