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Park Description

The first parcel (89.3 acres) of this park was given in 1915 by J. Nelson Caldwell as a memorial to his father, Major James Nelson Caldwell, one of the early pioneers of this valley. In a letter to the Park Board in 1914, J. Nelson Caldwell stated that the parcel donated was originally contained in a tract conveyed by John Cleves Symmes to a Caldwell ancestor in 1796 (John Cleves Symmes receiving his patent for a huge land tract from "G. Washington, The President"). Three hundred and forty-eight acres were bought from Symmes by Caldwell for "the sum of two hundred and thirty-two dollars in certificates."

The Caldwells put up a saw and grist mill on Mill Creek, west of Griffin's Station, an early settlement. Timber sawed in this mill and hauled by ox teams was used by Symmes to build his house. Symmes also built a distillery, the copper still of which, according to old accounts, came into the possession of a man accused of stealing a horse, and "the head of a family now wealthy and distinguished" - then a lawyer and named Nicholas Longworth, defended the accused man, gained his acquittal, and for his fee accepted the copper still. This lawyer subsequently traded the still for 90 acres of ground, and so began the largest and most valuable landed estate in Hamilton County.

When the Park Board acquired the property, it opened the forested section off Caldwell Drive as a public scenic ground, and used the level area along North Bend Road as a park nursery for propagating the perennials and hardwood cuttings. The nursery eventually moved to Warder Nursery in 1929. For many years the park was left to nature. In 1976, Caldwell Park reopened as a center for nature and environmental studies.

The park now features approximately 3 1/2 miles of nature trails, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Recreation Trail. The earliest, the Ray Abercrombie Trail, was constructed by Hartwell Boy Scout Troop 14 in 1976. Additional trails were developed by Youth Conservation Corps summer work crews.

The Ravine Creek Trail follows a stream along most of the length of the park, until the stream empties into the Mill Creek. The trail then turns and parallels the Mill Creek for a short distance before climbing steeply back up to the Nature Center area. The natural springs that occur throughout the park add their seeping waters to the stream and are most easily seen along the lower portions of this trail.

The Ray Abercrombie Loop Trail on Second Ridge starts in a successional woods of old black locusts, young tulip trees and flowering dogwoods. Birds are plentiful along this more open part of the trail.

Further along, the woods change character abruptly, becoming an older forest dominated by maples on the southern side and beech on the northern side of the loop.

The Pawpaw Ridge Loop Trail circles the oldest forest in the park, a climax community of beech, tulip, maple and, of course, pawpaw trees.

The park's topography resembles a section of giant washboard. Four deep ravines separate the ridgetops, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. At least six distinct tree associations occur in Caldwell Park. The alert or frequent visitor can see over 50 species of wildflowers and reptiles and amphibians. The broad-headed skunk and 10 other species of mammals live here. Flying squirrels still glide from tree to tree in the moonlight.

The Nature Center was built with Community Development Funds and opened in 1979.

Near the Nature Center is an amphitheater and a level paved trail which leads into the forest. This Access Trail makes it possible for even the wheelchair user to go into the woods, see the flowers, and hear the birds. A deck along the Access Trail overlooks the ravine and creek, providing a lovely view in all seasons.

Visiting Caldwell Park:

430 West North Bend Road
Cincinnati, OH  45216
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[Description of the Park | Features and Facilities | Maps | Upcoming Events |  Caldwell Preserve]