Arrowheads Unearthed on Gashouse Hill – July 1936

Stories about accidentally uncovering buried Indian artifacts during construction are always interesting, and here's a good one. The story is from the July 16, 1936 Lorain Journal and notes that "A huge, latest model gas shovel, scooping up tons of dirt from the hillside of Gashouse hill, has unearthed scores of Indian arrowheads.

So where was Gashouse Hill? The March 2015 edition of The Village Pioneer has the answer. 

It notes,"Located near the intersection of Ford Road and Gulf Road in Sheffield Village, a roadway was cut into the shale cliff along Black River in the early 1800s to give access to a ford across the river. In the latter years of that century, an iron-truss bridge was constructed across the old ford, which then connected the two halves of Sheffield Township along North Ridge. 

"In 1916 an experimental gas-liquefaction plant was constructed at the intersection to produce high-octane gasoline from locally produced natural gas. Known as the Logan Gas Company, it was built in response to increased fuel needs during World War I. The plant consisted of a compressor facility at the top of the bluff and a pump house halfway down the roadway to bring river water up to cool the compressors. 

"Once the plant was constructed the road down the bluff became known as “Gashouse Hill.” The plant continued to operate until the mid-1930s. About the same time Garfield Bridge, a viaduct-style valley crossing, was built along North Ridge and the Gashouse Hill road was abandoned, except as a popular place for sledding."

The Village Pioneer had two photos of the rickety bridge that was being replaced in 1936 by the Garfield Bridge.

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And here are a few Lorain Journal clippings about the process of getting the Gashouse Hill Bridge (later known as the Garfield Bridge) built and eventually opened.

Oct. 21, 1935

Feb. 5, 1936 

Aug. 20, 1936

June 25, 1937

June 28, 1937

The 1936 Gashouse Hill Bridge on Route 254 lasted until 2003.

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NOTE

I will be taking some days off next week – maybe the whole week, maybe not – starting Monday to take care of some personal business (not health related or anything – I'm just busy). But I'll be back soon! Consider it my summer vacation!