Seriously, Guernsey County?
The earth in southeastern Ohio has layers of shale, limestone, clay, and coal. The area’s rich coal and gas deposits once made Cambridge a thriving glass and pottery center. A geologist whom Pa met when he worked for an oil company grabbed a handful of clay from the ground and sculpted a bust of a native American woman on the spot using tools he fashioned with sticks.
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| From Drop Box |
In the early years, the Cambridge Glass Company operated its own coal mines and consumed 50 tons a day to fire its melting pots. It also used natural gas produced from its own wells. The abundant supply of natural resources was one of the main reasons for locating this factory in southeastern Ohio. To this day, Cambridge glass is considered one of the finest quality glassware lines in the world and glass from its heyday is still highly prized by collectors.
When I learned about Cambridge’s rich history, it explained why several of John’s artist friends have been here even though it seems like a sleepy little town in upper Appalachia. The Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau puts out a nice little visitor’s guide. Here are some of the reasons listed to visit Guernsey County:
Once a year, during “ugly time” as Daren calls it, they have a Dickens Victorian Village festival and life-sized dolls dressed in Victorian clothing line Wheeling Avenue. The display draws busloads of people.
The Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival (August 13, 14 and 15, 2010), a chance for local artists to display and sell their art, will likely draw large crowds at Cambridge City Park this year as it has in the past.
Salt Fork State Park and Seneca Lake are pretty busy during the summer.
Something I’d be interested to check out: A major power supplier in the region, AEP, has reclaimed former mined out lands to build beautiful recreation areas (one aptly named ReCreation Land) throughout southeastern Ohio.
Who knew such history and natural wonders existed in our little corner of the world?
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May 26th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Daren nailed it, those dolls are CREEPY! Especially the ones that peer out the windows, like some horror movie. But the Arts & Crafts Festival is nice to go & check out. Never fails to have some interesting items, there are some talented people in this area.
May 26th, 2010 at 11:52 am
A definite must-do. Especially since SJC might be getting a booth. The Arts & Crafts festival is the perfect venue for boutique businesses like All Lit Up! I think it will be worth the investment. If that one does well, she can get a booth at the Prairie Peddler festival to be held in Butler, Ohio, Oct. 2-3 & Oct. 9-10. From what I understand, it’s larger scale.
May 26th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Wow! Mom was telling me about it tonight. I was impressed. Had no idea she had been working on those. She has always been talented.
May 28th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I share your repugnance of the shriveled headed dolls! EGADS!
I do have to say that this too long running of a display does bring outsiders to our town to spend money that wouldnt normally be spent!