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Quail Hollow State Park
13480 Congress Lake Avenue
Hartville, Ohio 44632
(330) 877-1528
Park
Map
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| Activity |
Facilities |
Quantity |
| Resource |
Land, acres |
698 |
 |
Water, acres |
2 |
| Day-Use Activities |
Hiking Trail,
miles |
12 |
|
Bridle Trails,
miles |
4 |
|
Mountain Bike
Trails |
2 |
|
Picnicking |
yes |
|
Visitor Center |
yes |
|
Programs, year
round |
yes |
| Winter Recreation |
Cross-Country
Skiing |
yes |
|
Cross-Country Ski
Rental |
yes |
|
Ice Skating |
yes |
|
Sledding |
yes |
| Camping |
Group Camp,
capacity |
25 |
Quail Hollow is a landscape of rolling meadows,
marshes, pine and deciduous woods surrounding a 40-room manor. Scenic
woodland trails, gardens and the house offer a variety of natural and
cultural experiences for visitors.
Nature of the Area
The rolling fields, stately woodlands and moist
wetlands of Quail Hollow are evidence of the effects of glaciation which
occurred over 12,000 years ago. Glaciers have had a profound effect on the
drainage system, topography and soil/mineral composition of the area.
Natural lakes are a feature of the glaciated landscape. These bodies of
water were formed when large pieces of ice broke off the glacier and
melted in depressions forming these kettle lakes. Most are small, old and
more properly classified as bogs or marshes. Nearby Congress Lake is one
of Ohio's natural lakes.
Quail Hollow's habitat diversity allows for an abundance of plant and
wildlife populations. Poison sumac and other unique plants grow in the
sphagnum peat bog. A tall-grass prairie supports purple coneflower,
sneezeweed and other prairie plants. The woodland swamp is home to spring
peepers, chorus and green frogs while the deciduous and coniferous forests
provide shelter for the red fox, raccoon, skunk and white-tailed deer. A
beaver colony exists on the northern border of the park.
History of the Area
The turn of the 19th century witnessed the coming of
frontiersmen to northeastern Ohio. Although the land was still wilderness,
the American Indians were already being forced westward. Tribes native to
what is now Stark County, principally the Delawares, were virtually gone
by 1810.
One of the earliest settlers to enter the region was Conrad Brumbaugh. His
first home on the new property was built around 1820 on land that was to
become the park. It was a two-story log house measuring 24' x 24',
complete with a cellar constructed of stone. By 1842, a wooden frame house
which incorporated the original cabin was built. Many years later, this
house was destroyed by fire.
Acquisition of the Brumbaugh homestead and other properties, ultimately
totaling 720 acres, was begun in 1914 by Harry Bartlett Stewart. The
Stewart's original tract, adjacent to the Brumbaugh homestead, was called
the Minnie Taylor Farm after Harry Stewart's wife.
The small farm house on the Minnie Taylor Farm was built in 1838. During
the first few years the Stewards owned it, the home was used mainly on
weekends during the autumn hunting season. By 1929, additions to the farm
house and construction of its two neighboring structures were completed
and the home became the permanent residence of the Stewart family. The
main house, the adjacent servant's cottage and the garage appeared as they
do today, reflecting strong Greek Revival and Federal architectural
influences.
The Stewart's son, Harry Bartlett Stewart, Jr. and his wife Catherine
moved into the manor in 1937. Mr. Stewart, like his father, was chairman
of the board and chief executive officer of the Akron, Canton and
Youngstown Railroad.
The Stewart family resided in their home until 1975 when they offered the
acreage and building to the state for one-half the appraised valuation.
The U.S. Department of Interior provided funds for the state to acquire
Quail Hollow State Park. On May 15, 1975, Quail Hollow came under the
administration and management of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
Division of Parks and Recreation.
Park Programs
Quail Hollow State Park is devoted to the recreational study and
appreciation of Ohio's cultural and natural history. Now called the
Natural History Study Center, the former Stewart family home is primarily
used for educational, nature-oriented and community activities. The
library, kitchen, dining room and basement rathskeller can be rented by
incorporated organizations wishing to hold meetings at Quail Hollow. A
Visitor Center located within the home is open on weekends 1-5 p.m.
Workshops and special events are held at Quail Hollow year-round. Special
interpretive programs, nature hikes and outdoor educational experiences
may be arranged upon request for classes or groups.
Camping
The park's primitive group camp is available on a
reservation basis to incorporated organizations. The camp includes a fire
ring, picnic table and waste water barrels. Water must be carried in and
trash must be packed out. Parking, water and restrooms are 1/4 mile from
the site.
Sponsor:
Indian Creek Camping
Resort
Tents to BIG RIGS welcome - stay by the day, week, month or year.
Ultra modern restrooms and showers. Security gates, coin-op
laundries and heated pools. Adult and Family Heated Pools. Farones
Restaurant and Step Above Lounge Full Service Bar with
entertainment and more Geneva on the Lake, OHIO
Ratings and Affiliations: Woodall's 5W / 5W Trailer Life 9 / 10 / 10
Wheeler's ***** / Ohio Campground Owners - National ARVC Year Round
Dates of operation |
Trails
Quail Hollow has over ten miles of trails ideal for
hiking, jogging, nature study or cross-country skiing. Eight interpretive
nature trails explore the unique natural habitats for which each is named.
There is also a four-mile, day-use bridle trail.
Picnicking
Picnicking is available in several locations. All
picnic areas are available to the public year-round during park hours.
Area Attractions
Quail Hollow is located in Hartville, a town renowned
for its fine restaurants. The area surrounding Quail Hollow has a large
Mennonite population plus many craft and antique shops, as well as several
golf courses. Longaberger baskets and Hartville chocolates are made in
Hartville.
There are many points of interest in the nearby Akron-Canton area. Tours
are available of the tire-making plants; Stan Hywet Hall, an English Tudor
mansion; the Hoover Historical Center; and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Nearby West Branch and Portage Lakes state parks offer excellent
opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing and boating. Several state
nature preserves in the area offer glimpses of unique bog vegetation.
Jackson Bog and Kent Bog are open during daylight hours while Triangle
Lake can be accessed by permit only.
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