A driving tour of Lake Hope State
Park and the surrounding region
To make your visit as enjoyable as possible, stop at the Lake Hope State Park Visitor Information
Center and pick up a Visitors' Information brochure and map of the park.
Lake Hope State Park
27331 State Route 278
McArthur, Ohio 45651
(740)596-5253 www.lakehopestatepark.com
Site #1: Hope Furnace Hope Furnace was one of 46 iron furnaces
in the area known as the “hanging rock” iron
region which extended from northern Kentucky to
Logan, Ohio. This area contained the necessary
materials to produce iron−limestone,
iron ore, and sandstone−and
charcoal, which was produced from the abundant
timber in the area. Finished iron was shipped
out and formed into many different items,
including ammunition and cannons for the Union
Army during the Civil War.
Hundreds of men labored cutting timber,
working the furnace, and driving teams of mules
hauling iron ore to the furnace. Charcoal fires were
tended 24 hours a day; so much wood was required for
this process that the surrounding hillsides were
almost completely stripped of timber. At the height
of the Hope Furnace's production, Ohio was one of
the nation's leading producers of iron. As time
passed, iron ore was discovered farther west and
Ohio's reputation as a major iron producer waned.
Hope Furnace is located along
State Route 278, between the entrance to the lodge
and the entrance to the camp area. The chimney and
part of the foundation are all that remain today.
Site #2: Pioneer Cemetery “Hope Furnace Graveyard” is located at the
halfway point of the Olds Hollow Trail, which begins
along with the Zaleski Backpack Trail, near Hope
Furnace. This graveyard was established in 1853, the
same year Hope Furnace was put into operation. It
was used until at least 1865 and was abandoned when
furnace operations ceased. Only a few stones remain,
but there may have been upwards of 50 burials there.
Hope Furnace Historical Marker
Other cemeteries worth visiting
include Keeton Cemetery, located near the standard
cabins along “old hill” above the beach, and
Moonville Graveyard, located at the end of the
gravel road that branches off Hope-Moonville Road
just past the tunnel parking area (see Site #4).
Site #3: Hope School
House From the Lake Hope dam and State Route
278, turn onto Wheelabout Road, stay to the
right at the fork and continue on Wheelabout
Road/Pinney Hollow. Hope Schoolhouse is the
first building on the left, about a 1/4 mile
from the fork. The one-room Hope Schoolhouse was
refurbished in 1998. Hope Schoolhouse is open on
weekends during the warm months and now serves
as a historical interpretation center and
special event site.
Site #4: Moonville Tunnel From the Lake Hope dam and State Route 278, turn
onto Hope-Moonville Road, stay to the left at the
fork. The third time you cross the old railroad bed,
you are at the abandoned town of Moonville. Or just
drive 2.5 miles from the dam on Hope-Moonville Road,
cross the steel bridge, and pull off where the brim
widens just past the bridge. Walk the old railroad
bed to the left, cross Raccoon Creek and Moonville
Tunnel will be 100 yards straight ahead. The tunnel
is no longer visible from the road. (Be careful
crossing Raccoon Creek during times of high water.)
There is also a trail that leads back to the tunnel.
It begins on the left side of the road just before
reaching the steel bridge.
Moonville was a railroad station and loading place
for timber and other products. At one time, there
were approximately 100 people living at Moonville.
Moonville is thought to be named for a man called
Moon who once operated a store in the town.
Moonville is famous for two things: the Tunnel and
the “Moonville Ghost."
The enormous tunnel (about 100 yards long) was
originally constructed in the mid-1800's and then
rebuilt and lined with bricks in 1903. Railroad men called Moonville “the most isolated, desolate
stretch of track on the B&O from St Louis, Missouri
to Parkersburg, West Virginia.” Sound travels well
in the tunnel. When a person whispers from one end
of the tunnel, it can be heard all the way at the
other side.
Spooky things have occurred at Moonville, but none
compare to the story of the Moonville Ghost.
Supposedly, a long time ago, a brakeman was struck
by a train on a rainy, cold night. The man was drunk
and swayed into the path of the oncoming locomotive.
Folks who have seen the ghost claim you may see his
lantern “a glimmerin’ and a wavin,” still trying to
stop that train.
Moonville Tunnel
Site #5: Lookout Rock Lookout Rock is about another mile down Hope-Moonville
Road from the tunnel parking area. You will cross
Raccoon Creek and drive up a hill. This large
Sandstone outcropping will be seen on the right-hand
side of the road.
One time, approximately 20 men coming to Moonville claimed they were surrounded by a pack of
wolves. The men built a fire and took refuge on
Lookout Rock all night, fearing they would be
attacked. Lookout Rock can provide spectacular views
of Raccoon Valley, especially when the leaves are
off the trees.
Site #6: Atkinson Fire Tower Constructed in 1929 and first used in 1930, this
fire lookout station is located at the Atkinson
Hunters Camp within the Zaleski State Forest.
From Lookout Rock, head back down the hill and take
the first left onto Township Road 5 (Mace Road).
Follow this until you reach Atkinson Ridge and
follow this road until you reach the Atkinson
Hunters Camp. The fire tower is located about 4
miles from Lookout Rock (refer to the map).
Atkinson Fire Tower was abandoned in the 1970’s when
airplanes came into use for fire detection. Today,
because of improved communications, forest fires are
reported by local citizens. The Division of Forestry
fights fires on all government land and will assist
local fire departments on private land when
necessary.
The tower was closed to the public in 2000 due to
safety concerns. Climbing the steps used to offer
wonderful views of the surrounding area. Continue on
Atkinson Ridge until you reach SR 278 turn right to
head into the town of Zaleski.
Site #7: Ceremonial Mound More than 25 burial and ceremonial mounds have been
discovered in the Lake Hope-Zaleski area. They were
probably erected by the prehistoric Adena people
between 900BC and 200AD. One of the largest is
located near the Zaleski State Forest Headquarters
near the town of Zaleski. Turn onto Gaskill Road
from Rt. 278 near the Headquarters entrance. Drive a
¼ mile to the school, turn right on Forestry Road.
The mound is straight ahead. It is 14 feet high and
80 feet in diameter at the base. Years ago, a single
burial was removed from this mound.
Atkinson Fire Tower
Additional Adventures
King Railroad Tunnel Located along King Hollow Rd, 3.1 miles from
State Route 278. Park where the old railroad bed
crosses King Hollow Road. Walk the railroad bed to
the left to reach the tunnel (¼ mile hike).
Buckeye Furnace State
Memorial The only restored iron furnace complex in Ohio.
Located in Jackson County, about a 45-minute drive
from the park.
123 Buckeye Park Rd. T-167 Wellston, OH 45692 740-384-3537
1-800-860-0144 (toll free)
Alice’s House
Vinton County Geneological and Historical Society.
Hours vary.
740-596-0253 or 5076
