Mary Jane Thurston State Park
1-466 State Route 65
McClure, Ohio 43534
(419) 832-7662
1-866-644-6727 for camping
and getaway rental reservations
Situated along the historic Maumee River, Mary Jane Thurston State Park
offers a variety of day-use and overnight activities.
The Maumee is not only scenic, but also provides some of the best stream
fishing in Ohio. Boaters have access to the river while history buffs may
explore the remnants of the old canal.
Camping
A small campground offers 35 non-electric sites.
Fifteen of these sites are designated for walk-in
tent camping. Picnic tables and fire rings are
provided. Latrines and restrooms are located nearby.
A dump station is located near the park office. Pet camping is permitted at
all sites. Additional walk-in sites are available in the North Turkeyfoot Area.
Permits can be obtained at the park office.
Two deluxe camper cabins are available to rent.
Boating
There are twenty miles of open water for boating on the Maumee River. Two launch
ramps and a marina are situated in the park. Information on dock rental can be
obtained at the park office.
 Fishing and
Hunting
The Maumee River's northern pike, walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass, channel
catfish, bullhead, sheepshead and crappie offer good sport. Children can enjoy
fishing in the pond near the marina. At North Turkeyfoot, the Maumee River
provides excellent waterfowl hunting. A valid Ohio fishing and/or hunting
license is required. Contact the park office for a more detailed explanation of
the open and closed areas.
Picnicking
Picnic tables, grills, restrooms and water are located along the river shore. An
enclosed day-use lodge was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
in 1936. This heated building can be reserved year-round for reunions and
meetings for a nominal fee. Contact the park office for details.
 Trails
A one-mile portion of the Buckeye Trail passes through the park following the
side cut canal. The trail continues on to the Village of Grand Rapids. A
one-mile loop trail winds through the floodplain forest while an easy half-mile
trail circles the day use area. Six miles of trails in the North Turkeyfoot Area
may be used for backpacking, horseback riding or mountain biking.
More to Do
Campers can enjoy summer nature programs at the ampitheater. Horseshoe pits
also provide recreation for campers. The camp office has games and sporting
equipment to loan registered campers. a playground is offered at both the
campground and in the day-use areas of the park. the day-use lodge is
handicapped accessible and open year round.
Nature of the Area
Northwestern Ohio was covered by a massive ice sheet during the Ice Age. As the
ice melted, the area from Fort Wayne, Indiana to western New York was covered by
a large lake named Lake Maumee by geologists. With the retreating of the ice,
new eastern outlets opened and eventually present-day Lake Erie was formed.
As the water drained from the state, swamps formed in the lowlands. The Great
Black Swamp, 120 miles long and 30 to 40 miles wide, included the Maumee Valley.
The heavily wooded swamp was a barrier to westward settlement. By 1900, through
the use of a major system of dikes and ditches, the area was drained. The dark
soils of the old swamp became fertile agricultural lands.
Ridges of sand or old beaches can be found from Liberty Center, Ohio northeast
to Detroit. Known in Ohio as the Oak Openings, these sand beaches were formed
when present-day Lake Erie was larger. Originally, the Oak Openings were
surrounded by dense swamp forests. Today, the Oak Openings area includes
impressive dunes, bogs, prairies, swamp forests and a variety of unique
vegetation.
History of the Area
This area was the rich hunting grounds of many Indian tribes. As settlers moved
west, hostilities arose. President Washington appointed General Anthony Wayne to
lead forces into the area. After building Fort Defiance in 1794, at the junction
of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers, Wayne advanced down the Maumee Valley. At the
Battle of Fallen Timbers, Wayne's troops defeated the Indian warriors commanded
by Blue Jacket. This battle put an end to twenty years of conflict between
Indian and settler.
In later years, the canal building era had a great influence on the region. The
Miami and Erie Canal, which traveled north from Cincinnati, merged with the
Wabash and Erie Canal south of Defiance in 1845, linking Cincinnati to Lake
Erie. The canal stimulated development and trade along its route.
In order to better use the slackwater at the head of the Maumee River near the
community of Gilead, a second dam was built by the state in 1845. Previously, a
smaller dam had been built across part of the river to power a mill. The
citizens were outraged about the new dam which limited water power to the mill
and one night destroyed the dam. As a compromise, the Gilead Side Cut Canal was
built, connecting Gilead with the Miami and Erie Canal, and a replacement dam
was constructed. In 1855, the canal port of Gilead was incorporated as Grand
Rapids.
In 1928, Mary Jane Thurston, a Grand Rapids schoolteacher bequeathed fourteen
acres of land to be used as a park. After several transfers and leases, Mary
Jane Thurston State Park was dedicated in 1968. Adjacent property and additional
land upriver, known as North Turkeyfoot Area, were purchased in 1968 and 1969. |
