Blue Rock Township was created from Salt Creek Township in June 1810 when Salt Creek and Zanesville got together with county commissioners to agree on making a new township. No election of officers was held until December 1813.
The name of Blue Rock comes from the Big Blue Rock on the creek and river banks that would divide the townships. The boundaries are north by Salt Creek and Wayne township, east by Meigs township, south by Morgan County, and west by the Muskingum River.
The origin of Ohio's bedrock materials can be traced back millions of years when the state was inundated by a shallow inland sea. Materials deposited by this sea formed the bedrock types now found in Ohio--namely limestone, shale and sandstone. The silt from these waters formed the sedimentary shale found within the Blue Rock State Park region. This blue-colored shale gave the park its name, which totals 322 acres and has a 15 acre lake.
Rich coal deposits were discovered in the area. By utilizing the Muskingum River for transporting the coal, a prosperous mining industry soon developed. In 1856, this area was shaken by one of the most remarkable mine disasters in history.
The collapse of the mine happened about 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 1856, about 700 feet from the entrance. It was soon discovered that four persons were either imprisoned or crushed to death inside the mine. A dangerous rescue attempt began at once combining the greatest speed with the utmost caution possible. At 11 p.m., on Friday, May 9, after having been trapped for fourteen days, the men were reached and brought to safety--alive!
Blue Rock has also played a minor role in the area’s military history. The militia unit, the Blue Rock Riflemen, was formed in 1835 of fifty able men. The uniform consisted of a blue coat, white pants, and a white, green, and red felt hat. In July of 1863, a Confederate unit crossed the Ohio River and invaded Ohio. They pushed north and entered into Blue Rock Township bringing the war closer to home for the people of the township. The 91st Ohio Infantry, Company E, also contained many men from Blue Rock Township.
In 1936, the state of Ohio purchased the lands comprising Blue Rock State Forest. Construction of Cutler Lake was completed in 1938. Blue Rock officially became a state park with the formation of the Division of Parks and Recreation in 1949.
Surrounding Blue Rock State Park, the 4,573-acre Blue Rock State Forest offers hiking, trail riding and hunting opportunities. Located 12 miles southeast of Zanesville, this forest is accessed primarily via State Route 60 and Culter Lake Road. Most of the marginally productive farmland was originally acquired by the federal government during the 1930s under the Resettlement Administration and later transformed into one of Ohio's most beautiful and productive forests.
The Muskingum River is nearby offering fishing, boating and the opportunity to view several nineteenth century locks and dams located off State Route 60 on the Muskingum River Parkway. These are the only full system of hand-operated locks still in use in the United States.
Another interesting place to visit is Blue Rock Station, only a few miles outside of Philo. The first earthship to be built in Ohio, made from old tires, offers tours and ‘green’ workshops. Visitors can also go on a llama trek and learn more about raising these animals.
To the north of Blue Rock is the city of Zanesville, Ohio's state capital from 1810 to 1812, and a leader in the manufacture of clay products. If visiting the area, Zanesville offers a variety of hotels or you might try Broken Arrow Cabin right in Blue Rock. This bed and breakfast is nestled in the middle of 100 acres of privately owned wooded terrain. Local public access includes 30,000 acres of AEP Land and 4,500 acres of Blue Rock State Forest.
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