✅ SOLVED Stone Chamber in the Woods

[mshlbelle]

During one of our creek walks years ago, we found this stone chamber built into the side of the hill near the creek. We went back to look at it today to get a closer look. Unfortunately, it is starting to slide into the creek due to erosion. The ceiling and floor are made of large flat stones. I included a picture of my niece in the opening for frame of reference. We live in Cincinnati, Ohio if that helps.

 

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[releventchair]

Being that it's right next to a creek, I'd say it's part of an old mill of some kind.

A tub style mill race. Why didn,t I think of that? Beats all that work to cool milk. l.o.l..

 

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[bigfoot1]

my best guess is it was used to transport or divert water to the creek.I might look carefully at ground leading to it for signs of depression.Some early sewage or wastewater systems look familiar.
very interesting
cheers

 

[cudamark]

Maybe a hidey hole or staging area for smuggling?

 

[mirage83]

Check the other side of the stream for more of the possible structure to see if this is a possibility.

Check in the stream itself as well for any old supporting structure which may still be there, stacked rock, etc.

 

[unclemac]

if it did connect to the stream, or you think it may have, some old farms had sort of cistern type places to keep milk and such cool in.

 

[stefen]

Whatever the original purpose of the structure, do not attempt to destroy its integrity...

Some day its purpose will be found...

 

[Boatlode]

Its a spring house - nature's original refrigerators. Back in the day the creek water ran through it.

 

[bradyboy]

water channel?
Brady

 

[bradyboy]

By Chance, would this area be in the route used by the underground railroad?
Hiding place
Just a off the wall thought
BradyBoy

 

[unclemac]

Lithic Glossary, Lithic Terms

this is pretty fun...

...but I gotta go with spring house...

 

[Tigger]

could it be a spring house? they would put crocks of butter, meat, other stuff they wanted to keep cold in it. if the spring dried up, they coulda moved it downstream....

 

[Old Dude]

Was there a road on the bank that passes over these? I've seen something similar in my area. It was a culvert built of stone to allow water to pass under the road. It looked very similar.

I see the same here in northeastern Pa. Most are still in use today actually. From what I understand, they were built during the Depression.

 

[ohiowhiteguy]

hey there..i'm in the milford area..if you can get permission to look around with a metal detector i can come by and look around for you..
Owg...

 

[mshlbelle]

I see the same here in northeastern Pa. Most are still in use today actually. From what I understand, they were built during the Depression.

I spoke with someone who has knowledge of the area and he said it was indeed a culvert to allow water to pass. Evidently there use to be a train track that ran along the creek... that makes sense to me because there is a wide flat ledge cut out of the hillside just above the stone tunnels. While not terribly exciting, it makes sense.

In addition... I found this website www.cellarwalls.com showing similar structures and emailed the owner to see if he had any insights. His reply: "Michele, you have found something really special there and you should consider letting the local historical society know about them. Sad to see one of them falling into the creek like that. Some people believe that these were built by prehistoric Native Americans and used for some unknown religious purpose. Others insist they were built by settlers for agricultural uses. There is no proof either way. There is no evidence the Celts came here from Europe and built them, either."

Thanks, everyone for your help! Marking this one SOLVED.