Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve

Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve History

Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve, dedicated August 23, 1974, is nature's own monument to the great ice fields which once covered most of Ohio 17,000 years ago.  Stage's Pond is an example of one of the distinctive features of glaciated areas, a kettle lake.  As the glacier receded from this part of present day Pickaway County, an immense chunk of ice broke free and remained behind to be covered with accumulating sands, gravels, and other glacial debris washing off the melting glacier.  When the land-locked ice mass finally melted, it left a great depression in the landscape.

Today some 30 acres of this 64-acre depression lie under water with two adjacent marshy low areas in the central and southern parts of the depression.  These areas coupled with adjacent field and woodland areas, offer the visitor an opportunity to explore a number of habitats, each with its own unique array of species.

How Stage's Pond became a State Nature Preserve

Stage's Pond is not only nature's monument, but a tribute to the conservationists and nature enthusiasts of Ohio.  In 1973, Stage's Pond seemed destined to disappear as had many similar areas throughout the state.  Some draining of the pond and marshy areas had already occurred.  The fields and woodland reflected the influence of the plow and grazing.

Concerned members of the Pickaway County Garden Club felt that this ancient landmark should not be destroyed.  With their own club treasury as seed money, they began a fund raising campaign to save Stage's Pond.  Their goal was to raise $20,000 towards the purchase of the area.  The Nature Conservancy, a national non-profit conservation organization, agreed to negotiate and acquire 123 acres of land to be held for transfer to the Ohio Department on Natural Resources when federal matching funds were approved.  

The Columbus Regional Council of the Garden Club of Ohio joined the fund raising campaign to aid in a statewide effort to reach the $20,000 goal. With the assistance of the public media and the contributions of countless individuals, conservation organizations, businesses and garden clubs, the goal was reached and passed.  Stage's Pond Nature Preserve became a reality - the first state nature preserve to be established as a result of widespread public fund raising. 

Stage's Pond Landowners

The land containing Stage's Pond was originally purchased from the government in 1817 and 1818 by William Stage (formerly spelled Staige).  He had earlier purchased the surrounding land but avoided the large pond area as it was considered worthless at the time.  Purchase price was $1.25 per acre.

William Stage transferred 400 acres, including the pond, to his son Samuel in 1862.  In 1877 the pond and 185 acres went to James Ward and then later it was transferred from James to Sidner J. Ward in 1885.  The property remained in trust after Sidner's death in 1914 and was finally sold in the early 1930's to Rose N. Hedges.  Ms. Hedges sold the pond area to Alice P. Dunnick in 1933 and less than a year later it was purchased by Ben D. Nothstine who owned it until 1971.  At that time it was sold to David and Joyce Hedges who eventually sold it to the Nature Conservancy on February 22, 1974. 

Information on Stage's Pond Background and History taken from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves information pamphlet.  Stage's Owner information was obtained from documents found in the Pickaway County Historical & Genealogical Society's archives.

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