One of northern Ohio’s major rivers begins quietly at Lowe-Volk Park, where two small waterways meet among woods, wetlands and exposed sandstone. On Saturday, September 19, the Crawford Park District will invite visitors to uncover the stories surrounding that landscape during “History Hidden in Plain Sight,” a free scavenger hunt exploring the people, geology and Ice Age history that shaped the region.
The self-guided event will run from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Lowe-Volk Park and Nature Center, 2401 State Route 598 near Leesville, about four miles north of Galion.
Clues Inside and Out
Visitors will begin inside the Nature Center, where they can pick up the scavenger hunt and search for clues at their own pace. The experience then moves outdoors along a short boardwalk leading to a scenic overlook. From there, visitors can see the headwaters of the Sandusky River and look down on a sandstone wall that reveals part of the area’s geological story.
The Nature Center and boardwalk to the overlook are flat and wheelchair accessible. Visitors who want a closer look can take an optional set of steps down toward the river and sandstone formations. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for anyone planning to continue beyond the overlook.
The sandstone also connects the park’s natural history with its industrial past. According to the Crawford Park District, the Heckert and Rupp Stone Quarry extracted Waverly sandstone in the area from 1873 until 1908. The main quarry, located just east of the present park, later filled with water and became a popular local swimming spot.
The First Miles of a Long Journey
The river begins within Lowe-Volk Park at the point where Paramour Creek and Allen Run converge. From that modest beginning, the Sandusky travels approximately 130 miles before emptying into Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie. Along the way, it passes through or near Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky, Tiffin and Fremont. A 65-mile stretch between Upper Sandusky and Fremont has been recognized as an Ohio Scenic River since 1970.
The Sandusky River and the tributaries flowing into Sandusky Bay drain approximately 1,828 square miles across portions of 12 counties, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. That makes the quiet meeting of two streams at Lowe-Volk the starting point for a water system extending across a substantial part of north-central Ohio.
Opening Ohio’s Stories
The scavenger hunt is part of Ohio Open Doors, a statewide program created by the Ohio History Connection in 2016. Held every other year, the initiative encourages organizations to offer free tours and special programs highlighting historic buildings, landscapes and other places that help tell Ohio’s story. The 2026 edition runs from September 10 through September 20 and is also connected with the state’s observance of America’s 250th anniversary. Organizers hope to present more than 250 Ohio Open Doors events, with at least one in each of the state’s 88 counties. At Lowe-Volk, that open door leads into a landscape where natural and human history overlap, and where visitors can stand within sight of the first waters of a river that will travel all the way to Lake Erie.
Admission is free, and the program is designed for visitors of all ages. Additional information is available through the Crawford Park District event calendar or by calling 419-683-9000.
Image by Peggychoucair from Pixabay