Hellbender Preserve

Hellbender Preserve The Preserve, brought to you by the efforts of the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, is nestled away in the foothills of Appalachia.

It hosts an abundant variety of native plants and animals; most notably the Eastern Ohio Hellbender.

One Year. 365 days. A complete whirlwind. Thank you to the over 30,000 people who have visited Hellbender Preserve. Than...
04/26/2026

One Year. 365 days. A complete whirlwind. Thank you to the over 30,000 people who have visited Hellbender Preserve.

Thank you to all of those who have shared a moment and made memories. Thank you to all of those that have put the phones down and turned up the volume on nature. Thank you to those who have been inspired to learn more about our shared history, our shared ecosystem, and our shared home.

Thank you to the grandparents, parents, family, friends and neighbors who have visited and introduced the wonder and mystic of the wild to younger generations.

Hellbender Preserve could not be what it is without you!

Thank you for one year of success and we look forward to many more years of conservation, education, recreation, and preservation.

Wild Wednesday WalkJoin us for Wild Wednesday at Hellbender Preserve, an impromptu Wildflower and Birds Walk led by Jef...
04/03/2026

Wild Wednesday Walk
Join us for Wild Wednesday at Hellbender Preserve, an impromptu Wildflower and Birds Walk led by Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District staff. Enjoy a relaxed outing through the preserve as we explore seasonal wildflowers in bloom, observe local wildlife and birds, and share a bit of the area’s natural and historical significance. Perfect for anyone looking to connect with nature and learn something new along the way.

When: Wednesday April 8th at 5:30pm

Where: Hellbender Preserve

Meet at the Main Entrance. Tour will begin promptly at 5:30pm

On February 14, 1861, Abraham Lincoln departed Columbus Ohio on his way to Pittsburgh via Steubenville. After dining in ...
02/14/2026

On February 14, 1861, Abraham Lincoln departed Columbus Ohio on his way to Pittsburgh via Steubenville.

After dining in Cadiz Junction (near Hopedale) word came that the wooden trestle outside the the Fairplay Tunnel was compromised. With a tight schedule it was determined Lincoln and his party would disembark the train and walk across the bridge to prevent the weight of the train from causing a collapse.

As Lincoln walked across the wet greasy trestle he slipped and fell against the deck nearly falling off the bridge to his death. As the people gasped, Lincoln made a joke and carried on.

After the war broke out Lincoln directed that a bridge of stone be built to replace the trestle in the name of national security.

The stone Lincoln Bridge still stands today and serves as an anchor of the Hellbender Preserve property.

Enjoy the warm weather and walk on the footsteps of Lincoln today.

(To learn more of the Lincoln Bridge visit the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District website)

The woods stand still in silver light,where branches lace the cold so bright—and hidden wings, in sudden start,stitch co...
12/06/2025

The woods stand still in silver light,
where branches lace the cold so bright—
and hidden wings, in sudden start,
stitch colorful notes through winter’s heart.

No bells out here, no hurried cheer,
just peace you almost feel and hear;
and every step, a steady hymn,
as snowfall makes the world grow bright.

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Hellbender Preserve and wander our trails. Wildlife, tucked in the woods and flutter...
12/06/2025

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Hellbender Preserve and wander our trails.

Wildlife, tucked in the woods and fluttering among the trees, pops in the stark contrast to the snow—small sparks of life against a quiet calm. The hush out here isn’t empty; it’s purely peaceful. It wraps around you until all you hear is your breath… and the soft crunch of snow beneath your feet, guiding the way.

Fall at Hellbender Preserve
11/03/2025

Fall at Hellbender Preserve

While we have rules at Hellbender Preserve to not go in the creek or move stones apparently some rules are hard to follo...
10/07/2025

While we have rules at Hellbender Preserve to not go in the creek or move stones apparently some rules are hard to follow.

We found this yesterday in the stream channel. While we hope good intentions were behind it, we hope everyone uses this as a lesson.

Moving stones around in the stream greatLy disrupts the ecosystem within the creek. Macro invertebrates live beneath these rocks. Hellbenders live beneath the stones. Hellbenders nest and lay eggs under the rocks.

The removal or relocation of the rocks creates cavities that quickly erode out by the passing water. The sediment entering the water column impacts the health of the streams. The sediment fills the spaces macros, Hellbenders, and fish need.

In North Carolina a hellbender was recently killed by someone stacking rocks and crushing the animal.

Nature and the wild has been around here for millennia and the plants, animals, and streams have it figured out. The only time it's truly in jeopardy is when humans interfere. So lets just sit back, observe, and enjoy nature.

These cool temperatures and gentle breeze make for wonderful strolls along the Fardowners Trail. This trail breaks off t...
08/06/2025

These cool temperatures and gentle breeze make for wonderful strolls along the Fardowners Trail.

This trail breaks off the old rail corridor and follows the path the tunnel workers known as the Fardowners took. The trail passes their campsite, the small plain that is potentially the resting spot of some of the men that were killed constructing the tunnel, and finally follows the route they used to flee the Corkonians during the Irish Row of 1852.

The trail is completely wooded and offers glimpses of some of the large majestic trees native to Jefferson County and scenic overlooks of Cross Creek flowing far down in the valley below. The trail has a slight grade to it, but follows the crest of the hill, so at times you are seemingly walking in the tree tops.

If you are tired of being locked in the house during the heat wave come on out to Hellbender Preserve. The trail is 95% ...
06/24/2025

If you are tired of being locked in the house during the heat wave come on out to Hellbender Preserve. The trail is 95% shaded with nice breezes. And did we mention that the tunnel is basically a giant air conditioner!? The temperature at noon today was 67° in the tunnel and the cool winds chill the trail for a ways on either side of the tunnel.

So pack some water and join us as we take it easy on this lazy hazy day

Is Hellbender Preserve Haunted????Recently, there have been a lot of inquiries about the haunting of Hellbender Preserve...
05/29/2025

Is Hellbender Preserve Haunted????

Recently, there have been a lot of inquiries about the haunting of Hellbender Preserve and the validity of some of the stories.

The one story of the headless fireman is true. As the newspaper story read:

The Westbound train was entering Tunnel No. 8 when the fireman heard a metal c***k....c***k.... c***k sound coming from the rail cars in tow behind him. When he stuck his head out the window to look back he did not see the eastbound train which was about to pass in the close confines of the tunnel. The East bound train promptly decapitated the poor fireman. The engineer grabbed the headless body and pulled it back into the engine cab. Upon making it to the rail yards in Dennison they removed the co**se of the fireman and got a new one on board.

Why do we know of this story? It is not because of the tragic accident as you may assume; but because the story highlighted the efficiency of the railroad. The accident occurred, the Engineer had to rescue the body then drive the train and fire the boilers, the train got to Dennison switched everyone out and the whole point of the story was it was 2 minutes behind schedule!!

Several people were killed building Tunnel No. 8. We have 86 that we know of for sure. Several rail accidents occurred in and around the tunnel and at Hellbender Preserve.

Is Hellbender Preserve haunted? Many people that visit do speak about feeling the power of the stories over take them, so perhaps there are some spirits that abound, maybe it's best for you to visit and find out for yourself!

This Memorial Day we remember the soldiers who passed through Hellbender Preserve during the nations wars. The rail line...
05/23/2025

This Memorial Day we remember the soldiers who passed through Hellbender Preserve during the nations wars. The rail line that used to pass here served the nation from the Civil War through Korea.

In World War II it is documented that 1.3 million troops traveled through Tunnel 8 and across the Lincoln Bridge.

We encourage you to visit Hellbender Preserve this Memorial Day weekend and remember those men and women in uniform that traveled through the Preserve.

Address

800 County Road 36
Bloomingdale, OH

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