2022 WAA Annual Meeting – Flint Ridge, OH
Ancient American Indians first came to this site 14,000 years ago. Over the millennia, they formed over a thousand quarries along the ten by three mile slab of flint just a few feet below the surface to create not just arrowheads and spear points, but daggers, bladelets, scrapers, and drills. Licking County’s Vanport Flint is unique worldwide for the brilliant shades of red, green, and blue that come out in it when it is heat treated. In consequence of the ancient people’s work, some of the quarry pits now form vernal pools that support a variety of plant and amphibian life.
Onsite camping will be available with limited shower facilities. The site is located east of Columbus, off of US 70, and near Newark, Heath, and Zanesville for those wishing to stay in a motel or go out for meals. The meal for the annual meeting will be $10 per person.
The site features a local museum and four Quarry Trails to hike. The site is 533 acres of forest, containing distinctive trees that represent the kinds of forests that used to cover North America before the woodlands were cleared by settlers. Nearby are the Newark Earthworks and other sites on the old Rt. 40, which runs parallel to US 70.
Events are scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon/evening. Watch this site, as more information will be added as plans are completed. Please respond do deb_andrews@frontier.com if you plan to attend so that we can get a headcount for camping and the Saturday meal, or if you have questions.
Directions to Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries and Nature Preserve – Avoid coming in via Rt. 16 and south on Brownsville Rd – a bridge is being repaired and the road is closed.
Flint Ridge lies north of Brownsville, OH, and the easiest way to get there is on US Rt. 70, or on Rt. 40, which runs parallel to 70 on the north side.
From the West, take exit 141 to Brownsville Rd. (Rt 668) and turn left (north). When you get into Brownsville, turn left and then right (north) to follow Brownsville Rd. Go approximately 3 miles to the intersection of Brownsville Road and Flint Ridge Road. Turn right, and Flint Ridge is immediately on your right.
From the East, take exit 142 and turn right on Rt 30 (Mt. Perry Rd.) Turn left on to 40 and follow it to Brownsville. Turn right (north) on Brownsville Road (Rt. 668). Go approximately 3 miles to the intersection of Brownsville Road and Flint Ridge Road. Turn right, and Flint Ridge is immediately on your right.