Donate to Park Site Ironton, July 6. (AP) Vesuvius lake and park, now under construction in northern Lawrence county, was made possible by D. D. Hill of Oak Hill, Leona La bold of Portsmouth, and G. E. Carylye of Ironton. The U. U. forestry service could not purchase the land, and the three donated their interest to permit the establishment of the recreation site. The Newark Advocate, 06 Jul 1937, Tue, 7
Lake Vesuvius is named for the historic Vesuvius Iron Furnace. The historic iron furnace is located at the base of the dam. In 1939 the narrows of Storms Creek offered a site for this lake, which the Civilian Conservation Corps dammed. The rugged hills and out-cropping cliffs provide a scenic backdrop for this historical and beautiful site.
Vesuvius Lake Site Popular – Thousands Visit US Forest Outing Area Northwest of Ironton
Although the Vesuvius recreational area in Wayne National Forest is far from complete. It is proving popular with people from a wide
area. The men in charge reported to Ranger A.J. Quinkert here Sat. that 30,000 persons visited the outing site in the first month it was open.
Extra Guards Necessary
Special guards were pressed into service to handle the crowd on the Fourth. Three forest service guards and 10 CCC enrollees were on duty. An official count showed 1,140 cars from 11 states and more than 5,000 persons visiting the grounds. The area is becoming so popular bus service is arraigned between Ironton and the area, eight miles from that city. The Vesuvius lake park is a mile off Route 75, the Ironton-Jackson state highway.
A good road leads from Ellisonville on Route 75 to the lake, where many private boats appear. The government keeps boats for hire at the dock, which must be enlarged. No fishing is permitted this year. Picnic tables were at a premium on the holiday last week, and steps are being taken to increase the number in the area.
Roads Not Complete
Although the road to the bathing beach is not complete, it has been graded so that it is safe for public use, and a large level space has been opened up for parking just above the bathing beach. The beach and bathhouse were opened to the public on July 4. The actual count showed more than 400 bathers on the beach at one time, and it is estimated that the total for the day was more than 1,000.
According to the forest guards, they found one boy carving his initials in a large tree. Some motorists visiting the area disregard the signs indicating that the roads are under construction and that they should travel cautiously. In some spots, this scenic drive is tortuous, and unless the motorist slows down, it may be necessary to request the help of the local authorities to cut down the speed.
Portsmouth Daily Times, 07 Jul 1940, Sun, Page 11
ONE BEACH ONLY IN USE AT VESUVIUS
Friday is Designated As a Day For Colored Citizens
Following the decision that the Vesuvius lake recreational area bathing beach in Wayne national park near Ironton would be reserved for use by colored residents on Friday, a question arose as to why one beach should not be set aside for use by the colored person at all times.
The plan for the Vesuvius area for the ultimate development of three beaches. However, at least two or three years before the entire recreation unit, including these beaches, will be developed and ready for public use. When compelled, it is believed it will be possible to give preference to colored people on one of the beaches at all times.
‘With only one beach available at this time, it appears that most equitable use,” park officials said, “should be outlined previously, that is, colored people will be given preference on Friday of each week, and white people preference at other times.
This division of time appears to be fair to all concerned since the information on population indicates that there are approximately 13 white citizens for each colored citizen in the vicinity of Vesuvius area.”
The forest service seeks the cooperation of all citizens in observing the agreement.
Portsmouth Daily Times, 29 Jul 1940, Mon, Page 4
VESUVIUS LAKE STOCKED
Ironton, Ohio, October 9-Stocking of Vesuvius Lake, in preparation for the opening of the fishing season in 1941, is being pushed by the Lawrence County Conservation Department. Dan Daly, the President, announced that 1,500 bluegills and 2,500 bullfrogs were placed in the lake today.
The Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct 1940, Thu, Page 14
LAKE OPENS TUESDAY
Fishing Ban To Be Lifted Thousands Visit Park Near Ironton
Lake Vesuvius, a reservoir of acres in a 4,000-acre woodland eight miles north of Ironton on route 75, will be open fishing Tuesday.
Many Boats On Lake
In anticipation of this day, more than 100 private boats have been placed in the lake. Free mooring rails are provided, and mooring rails are to be rented at a nominal yearly fee.
The total catch this season will limit, and in this connection and a fish checking, the station will be operated to determine when the ban will be restored.
A. J. Quinkert, U. S. forest service ranger here, said that more than 8,000 persons visited the recreation area in the U. S. forest service area on June 22, and then 10,000 visited the site Memorial Day weekend.
The entire project has not been completed, but two picnic areas are available, a bathing beach, a bathhouse, and one campground for overnight trailers and campers. Boats are available after noon on weekdays and after 9 am on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Riding Trails Provided
Many miles of trail have been marked, and riding horses are available near the park entrance. For scenic beauty, the area offers typical, rugged southeastern Ohio hill land, many rock formations, caves, and wildflowers. Stocking of the lake has been done in cooperation with the Ohio division of conservation and natural resources.
Portsmouth Daily Times, 29 Jun 1941, Sun, Page 4
Vesuvius Lake on the headwaters of Storm’s Creek, a mile east of State Route 75 and about eight miles north of the city of Ironton, lies within the 200,000- acre Wayne National Forest but is administered by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, so far as fish management is concerned.
The Times (Zanesville, Ohio) Recorder, 07 Sep 1957, Sat, 16
Photo Courtesy of Carl Murdock
BY BOB RANKIN VESUVIUS LAKE, Ohio, Aug. 2 -We “discovered” a lake and campground here today that was started in the 1930s but is almost unused or patronized by residents of our tri-state area. It is about 150 miles east of Cincinnati.
Named for a “cold blast” charcoal Iron making furnace of the 1800s, this lake has everything the family camper is seeking: Tree-shaded areas, a swimming beach, fishing, boating, hiking, and nature study trails. To give you some idea about the isolation of this area and the little use it is put to, we counted three persons on the beach and a like number swimming off the shore.
The only campers were the families of Albert P. Niebling and Tom Whittington, both of Cincinnati. Not one boat was in use at the dock, and one of the rangers confided, “the lake was overstocked with fish.” This doesn’t mean the waters are full of big fish, but we did see many bluegills and bass, including one lunker, cruising around in the overflow pool below the dam’s spillway.
This lake was built with Civilian Conservation Corps’ help back in 1935. Today it is operated by the U. S. Forestry Service with an assist from the local Izaak Walton League. Its location is a few miles north of Ironton on Ohio 75 and is surrounded by the Wayne National Forest that reaches into 14 southeastern Ohio counties. The lake consists of 143 acres with 10 miles of shoreline and plenty of fishing boats, or you can launch your own. No motors are permitted, however.
Just below the spillway and dam is the famous Vesuvius Furnace built in 1833. It was used until 1911, when the “hot-blast” type of operation took over. A winding road meanders through the park and among the 250,000 trees. Class-A – Toilet facilities, pads for tent camping, and ample room for trailers are available.
The amazing part about this area is that so few people use it. On its peak day this summer, only 250 were checked in at the gate, an attendant said. We found Mrs. Winnie Test, Cincinnati, dunking minnows at the spillway. Her husband, Emil, was seated nearby in one of the shaded areas around the lake.
Those who wish to fish or camp in this area can contact Ranger Larry Haack at the Ironton Forestry office or call JE 2-3223 at Ironton. There are two routes to take to the site. The most scenic “land” route is US 125 out of Cincinnati and through the Shawnee Forest, where you may wish to stop overnight at Theodore Roosevelt Park.
The “waterway” route is US 52 along the Ohio River to Ironton and then north on 75 to the park. En route between Portsmouth and Ironton, you may wish to stop off at the new Greenup Dam on the Ohio River, one of the newest and largest flood control and navigational dams on the river.
The Cincinnati Enquirer, 03 Aug 1962, Fri, Page 33
‘War On Poverty’ Camp Slated At Lake Vesuvius
Ironton, Ohio – (AP) – Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1964 – An area beside Vesuvius Lake 10 miles north of here has been selected as one of 120 centers by the Johnson administration to make the initial attack in its ‘war’ on poverty.
The area in Wayne National Forest will be called Camp Vesuvius Lake and will be the home of 100 camp members who will do conservation and wildlife work. The U.S. Forestry Service will administer it.
R. Sargent Striver named the site Tuesday one of the federal government’s new centers for the federal job corps. The centers are expected to give employment to thousands.
District Forest Ranger John Ward said the camp members at Vesuvius Lake who will live and work in the camp are expected to work on various projects, including building hiking trails, horse trails, and additional lake facilities.
The job centers are the first step in President Johnson’s anti-poverty program. The federal job corps was set up by a task force headed by Dr. Vernon R. Alden, Ohio University President.
Chillicothe Gazette Chillicothe, Ohio, 25 Nov 1964, Wed • Page 2
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