The Ice Age and the shifting of the plates are to thank for this beautiful Quarry Park. The spectacular rock formation have become trademarks of the park. The remarkable quartz and sandstone cliff formations resulted from the forces of erosion that wore away at the softer rock layers to form the ledges.

This area was of vital importance to the Native American tribes (mostly Delaware). The Ledges lie near one of the highest points of the state, and is close to the watershed divide between the Ohio River and Lake Erie. Several major foot trails and canoe routes passed through this vicinity, and several beautiful arrowheads have been found in the park. The area became an important trade center for both pioneers and many Native Americans. We are very proud and respectful of those footprints left here so many years ago. You can feel the energy from those times in the earth, rock, big sky and water.


In 1800, the Mills family left Becket Mass. and were the first settlers in Nelson. The area developed into an important agricultural and dairy center. Cheese making was prominent and began nearly as soon as the first settlers arrived. By 1834, Northeast Ohio cheese controlled the southern markets. Eventually, canal and rail transportation increased the area's importance. However, the "Ledges" as they are called, have always been a noted place of resort for pleasure seekers and curiosity. In the late 1800's there was a good hotel as one of the principal points of interest for their accommodations. There were also carnival rides in the early part of the 20th century.

Above-Cascade House, built1863.
Famous recreation and honeymoon resort visited by many prominent people of that era.

Food&lodging plus horse&carriage care-$1.00 a day.

This is an old add from the 50s.
Irenes Arcade and Hamburger Stand can still be found.
Pictured above,on left.

The site where the Quarry is located was, in the late 1940's and 50's, an operating quarry. It employed many people in the surrounding area, and mined quartz and sand. As the story goes, one day in the late 1950's, the machinery hit one of the many springs, and the approximate thirty acre area filled within days, leaving peninsulas, rock shelves,
and an island in the middle.

Abandoned by the company, the Quarry was then visited and inhabited by the locals, free-loving hippies and bikers too, who came with their painted buses, pan-heads, free spirits, and hopes to settle down for some time. Unfortunately, like most free-loving hippies, they were in for a rude awakening. When they thought they had created the perfect paradise, officials caught wind of too much fun going on, gates were put up, and the Quarry was closed.
Eventually, in 1972, the land and the Quarry were purchased by a young man who established the foundation of the campground we see today. Through the years, scuba diving, camping, and swimming thrived. The 70's and 80's were wonderful. The memories are too many. Filled with the greatest people I could ever hope meet. The laughter and good times seemed to flow endlessly... The 90's brought a stir of events due to poor management and ownership changed hands twice before 1995. At that time, a past employee(me), lifeguard here since 84 and manager was given the opportunity to improve the park. It was my dream to keep this place alive and well, expand on ideas and make renovations, such as providing more children's activities and better facilities without altering the natural beauty or spirit of the park. We now incorporate a wonderful staff that we consider to be our park family, running the park with much love and appreciation for what it gives to us and the many who come here. We have a ways to go before Im satisfied and money is tight
but year after year we continue to improve.

Today you can still feel the energy that has been captured by the Ledges over hundreds of years. It is still a meeting place, and it was once told to me that "People weave their individuality through the park, creating a beautiful tapestry of diversity, bound together with a common love.

Music, being such a big part of our lives, with musicians and artists frequenting the park, often, we felt it only necessary to give them an opportunity to perform their craft. Once a month, musical productions combined with an array of art, craft, vending, and foods provide campers varied assortments of festivities.

The energy and harmony, along with the natural beauty of our park today, can perhaps be summed up with part of a poem, gifted to us by one of our happy performers. He writes :
:Nelson
Part II : 9/21/98

Lightning rod I've touched again to light the fires of Nelson.

Charged and soaring, blend the tones; caverns echo earthly moans.

Bonded with the Earth and sky; children blessed with Love-derived,

Smiles that shine with every hour, as witnesses to Nelson's power.

Halloween we leave the scene, as once again the summer flees.

The frost will settle on it all, and blanket it with leaves of fall.

As choice as any summer scene, the Ledges sport a winter dream.

To those who come and dance and sing,

to celebrate the eve of spring.