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Fords
Jun 11, 2005 7:38:22 GMT -5
Post by Ricky_Berkey on Jun 11, 2005 7:38:22 GMT -5
I guess I can't grasp the concept of the Rocky Ford and others. Did people actually drive thru the water to get across? I assume it must have been shallow at the crossing point. Were they official roads on each side or were they just shortcuts?
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nancs
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Fords
Jun 11, 2005 8:55:38 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jun 11, 2005 8:55:38 GMT -5
Hi, and I can only relate to what I can remember about "fords," 50+ years ago memories! ;D The one I was most familiar with was at Nigger Hill (discussed in another thread along with a postcard of Fatal Ford). My recollection says that we got there via a gravel road, and my guess would be, not a "dedicated" street, as most often we were on horseback. Altho' do recall my dad driving the car over the route we had ridden earlier in the day to figure out the mileage of the ride. So know that cars could get through at that point. From what people are telling me of this area now, I would hazard a guess, that in reality we were perhaps trespassing by going this route even back then. Altho' do not recall anyone ever questioning us. During normal weather times, the creek was shallow at that point, and not a problem to cross. During the spring, of course, the water would be much higher, and in extreme situations the bottom lands would be quite flooded. To give you an idea of the depth of the water, through the eyes of a kid-----during normal times, the water would perhaps be a bit over "ankle deep on a pony," thus creating no fear in the rider. ;D Given a bit of flooding, and we are looking at "near belly height on a pony," and causing great alarm for the rider! ;-) And requiring a lot of encouragement from the father to get me and pony across!!!!! As to "shortcut," am reasonably sure it was that, for those of us on horseback. Altho' it was not uncommon to ride along the "berm" (only guessing on that spelling, as I can't find it in the dictionary) of a more major road. A short cut for us to get to "The Junction" of I think, 46 and whatever State St. is, (and I did have that all clarified for me, and can't put my hands of the road #s at the moment ) to have breakfast at a restaurant there. All that remains today of that restaurant is the concrete slab. As to Rocky Ford, think that Babs posted about that area and when people would wash their cars there. I rather think that was a more "sophisticated ford," as I sort of recall there was a concrete slab under the running water of the creek, thus making it a safer crossing by car. Don't know if I shed any light on "the subject," but I tried. Have a good day, and a great weekend. Nanc
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Babs
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Fords
Jun 11, 2005 9:08:33 GMT -5
Post by Babs on Jun 11, 2005 9:08:33 GMT -5
Rocky Ford did have a concrete slab that you drove across and it was down a gravel road that turned off of what used to be called Middle Road but is now just Rocky Ford. After you crossed the Ford, going East, you would come out on Marr Road just as you do today. The road continued East and was gravel and it wound around till it turned on what is now Taylor Road, which was named for my Uncle Dallas Taylor who owned the land that became Fairlawn Addition. There were corn fields on either side and it was a pretty popular site for the area high school kids to "park and neck" since there was not much traffic.
My brother and I tried to swim in the "creek" but I am sure all we did was splash about and our dad would wash the car in the "creek" as well.
You were not trespassing on this particular road but I can't say about the one Nanc mentioned because I know nothing about it.
Hope this helps some. Babs
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JamesK
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Fords
Jun 12, 2005 20:26:19 GMT -5
Post by JamesK on Jun 12, 2005 20:26:19 GMT -5
NANCY, I THINK THE 'FORD' YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT WHEN GOING TO THE "JUNCTION" WOULD BE AT THE END OF McKINLEY AVENUE WHICH AT THE TIME ONLY RAN TO McCLURE ROAD. McKINLEY WOULD BE ABOUT 4 BLOCKS SOUTH OF 7th AND GLADSTONE. McKINLEY EAST FROM McLURE WAS NOT A ROAD BUT A FARMERS LANE. THE FARMER LIVED ON THE EAST SIDE OF CLIFTY CREEK AND FARMED ON THE WEST SIDE. HE NEEDED A WAY TO GET HIS EQUIPMENT TO HIS FIELDS ON THE WEST SIDE. HE PLACED STONES IN THE CREEK WHICH WOULD ALLOW HIM TO CROSS WHEN THE WATER WAS AT NORMAL LEVELS. THAT WAS THE ONLY PLACE TO (FORD) CROSS THE CREEK BETWEEN U.S 31 TO THE NORTH AND SR 7 (NOW SR 46)TO THE SOUTH. THE "JUNCTION" WAS AT THE CORNER OF U.S. 31 AND DUNN ROAD. IS THAT YOUR RECOLLECTION?
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Fords
Jun 12, 2005 22:04:13 GMT -5
Post by EC on Jun 12, 2005 22:04:13 GMT -5
My recollections about the McKinley Ford.
The McKinley Ford - I can remember going there with my folks to wash the car. I also remember the Jeep trips with my folk’s friend. At that time the road was gravel, but today it is paved part of the way. The gravel may have been from Wint Lane to the ford. It seems to me that a few houses were on both sides of that road. George and I went down there to see if it could be Fatal Ford. Remember that threat?
Any way, there’s a chained gate across that road today! It is my understanding that two construction companies now own that land and have dug pits to recover the fill dirt for work around town. On the East side you’ll find new houses and George and I found out they don’t enjoy traffic in that area any longer. The old road is closed and we were informed that the bank, where the ford was, is washed completely out and has been for years.
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nancs
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Fords
Jun 13, 2005 6:51:13 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jun 13, 2005 6:51:13 GMT -5
JK says, "THE "JUNCTION" WAS AT THE CORNER OF U.S. 31 AND DUNN ROAD. IS THAT YOUR RECOLLECTION?" (Actually, Charlie's recollection, not mine! ;-) Yep, I went back into some emails from Charlie, and that is correct, and I thank him for clarifying it for me a while back, and the restaurant belonged to the Miller family. Do you remember the pin ball machines over against the wall? I am holding to my guess that in reality we were trespassing by going that route. Or perhaps, we were "granted permission" to go that way by the farmer?? I really don't know. I do know that we had permission to ride along the road on the south side of the cemetery (think that the 'new part' is now on the other side of that road) to get in the direction of where we forded the creek. We couldn't talk when we rode through there and the men removed their hats out of respect. In any event, the area around that ford was very pretty, in my memory, as there was a lot of vegetation along the creek and up the hill. Nanc
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JamesK
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Fords
Jun 13, 2005 11:05:07 GMT -5
Post by JamesK on Jun 13, 2005 11:05:07 GMT -5
HI EC....THE FORD AT THE EAST END OF McKINLEY WAS OVER CLIFTY CREEK. McKINLEY AVE ENDED AT McCLURE AND WAS KNOW MORE THAN A FARMERS PATH FROM THERE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE DOWN TO THE CREEK. THE FARMER COULD CROSS WITH HIS WIDE TIRED TRACTOR AND WE COULD CROSS, VERY CAREFULLY, WITH OUR HORSES. HOWEVER, THE FORD WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE BY ANY SMALL TIRED VEHICLES, THEREFORE THE FORD YOU MUST BE REMEMBERING YOUR FOLKS WASHING THEIR CAR, HAD TO BE THE FORD OVER HAWCREEK ON ROCKYFORD ROAD. AT THAT TIME, ROCKYFORD ROAD WAS GRAVEL FROM MIDDLE ROAD TO MARR ROAD. WE MOVED FROM PENNSYLVANIA STREET TO ROCKYFORD ROAD IN 1967 AND IT WAS STILL THAT WAY AT THAT TIME.
AND NANCY, YOUR RIGHT, WE MAY HAVE BEEN TREASPASSING. ALTHOUGH I NEVER REMEMBER HAVING ANY PROBLEMS, AS WE RODE RIGHT PAST HIS HOUSE MANY, MANY TIMES. SOMEONE MUST HAVE OBTAINED HIS PERMISSION....
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JamesK
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Posts: 45
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Fords
Jun 13, 2005 11:17:26 GMT -5
Post by JamesK on Jun 13, 2005 11:17:26 GMT -5
HI RICKY, THE ONLY FORD THAT I CAN RECOLLECT ACCESSIBLE BY CAR WAS THE ONE ON ROCKYFORD ROAD. YES, IT WAS AN OFFICIAL ROAD AND PEOPLE USED IT TO GET TO THE NORTHEAST SIDE. REMEMBER, THE POPULATION IN THAT AREA BACK THEN WAS TWO OR THREE FARMERS. NO MORE THAT 10 OR 12 CARS MADE THAT CROSSING A DAY. YOU COULD WASH YOUR CAR THERE AND MAYBE YOU MIGHT GET IT WASHED AND NOT HAVE TO MOVE YOUR CAR ONCE. HARD TO BELIEVE!!!
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Deleted
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Fords
Jun 16, 2005 14:21:18 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2005 14:21:18 GMT -5
The Fatal Ford Story From a booklet published by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
* * * Although most of the membership of St. Paul lived in the Clifty neighborhood, it also drew a sizeable group from the Lutheran community in Columbus.
The 10-mile trip was a obvious hardship for those families (with, or as was the case in the Schnatzmeier family, without horses) but they had more than distance to overcome. To reach the church, the Columbus residents had to cross Clifty Creek at the aptly named “Fatal Ford.”
The crossing would be a frightening presence in the lives of Clifty residents for many years.
One account passed to Donna Sasse by her great aunt Dorothy Schnatzmeier Owens reflected that fear. She recalled for her niece that her grandmother Wilhelmine Nolting would occasionally take her to see another relative Fred Nolting who lived at the Nolting farm on the banks of Clifty Creek.
During one visit a sudden storm came up and Wilhelmine was concerned Clifty Creek might be flooded at the ford where they needed to cross on their way home. Mr. Nolting assured them the trip would be safe; but during the crossing water came into the buggy and Dorothy recalled that she saw her grandmother “turn white with fright.”
Today Dorothy (Mrs. Victor) Nolting lives on the Fred Nolting farm. Victor Nolting was Fred Nolting’s grandson.
Because of the dangerous conditions the Columbus group elected to start their own church. In 1858 St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran congregation was created.
In a tragic irony, the wisdom of that decision was demonstrated on Nov. 15, 1879 when a woman and her two children fell into the water and drowned while trying to cross “Fatal Ford.”
In 1863 the congregations of the two churches elected to share a pastor; a decision that created some logistical problems, one relating to “Fatal Ford.”
The new pastor for both churches - G. Kuechle - lived in Columbus. The issue came to a head at an 1864 meeting at which the Clifty congregation demanded that confirmation instruction for Clifty children be held at Clifty. According to the minutes, the pastor objected to that arrangement because it would be difficult for him to cross Clifty Creek; an opinion the Clifty congregation countered by maintaining that it would be more dangerous for the children to cross the creek to come to the pastor.
There is no record in the minutes as to how the matter was resolved, but the two churches stopped sharing a minister a year later when St. Paul called Rev. G. Schumm to the parsonage. * * *
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nancs
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Fords
Jun 16, 2005 16:56:34 GMT -5
Post by nancs on Jun 16, 2005 16:56:34 GMT -5
Thanks, George, for the very interesting information on Fatal Ford. A great read. In all this discussion about "fords," it has often come up about the concrete slab at Rocky Ford. In talking today to my native Californian neighbor, he brought up about a similar "ford" here, in a nearby "wilderness type park." Different areas attach different names to the same thing----here that cement slab is referred to as an "Arizona bridge." Thought that to be a interesting side light to our discussions. Thanks again, George. Have a super day. And we only "shook" a tad here a bit ago. ;D Nanc
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Fords
Jun 17, 2005 1:10:28 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 17, 2005 1:10:28 GMT -5
George! Thanks so much for taking the time to post your message regarding the history of Fatal Ford. Very interesting...
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Fords
Aug 9, 2005 13:33:07 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Aug 9, 2005 13:33:07 GMT -5
Taken from the Evening Republican, Tuesday, June 2, 1903:
Since the Second Street bridge has been undergoing repairs, the grocers in the southern part of the city have noticed a falling off in country trade. The country people can not reach the city with their produce unless they come in by the way of Lowell or cross the bridge after 6pm or before 7am. The river is too high to be forded and communications with the city is practically cut off each day.
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:19:15 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:19:15 GMT -5
I moved this Post from the Re: What's New On The Website Thread from the original Message Board before it was reorganized, so it's going to be out of order... I just received this postcard, and I was wondering if any of you out there (George?) knows the location.
I'm thinking it might be Hawcreek and Rocky Ford, but I'm not certain about this.
Any input you might have would be great and much appreciated
[/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:20:51 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:20:51 GMT -5
Another moved from the same Thread, and out of order... David, I don"t think that picture is of Rocky Ford , there is to much vegetation according to my memory, that was a very popular spot for car washing. That picture may be of the ford that was at the east end of Mckinley St. crossing Cliffty creek, if that is the Cliffty creek ford I recall my father and his brother telling about pulling cars out of there when the water got up, they lived at the end of Mckinley at the time. George [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:22:03 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:22:03 GMT -5
And yet, another moved... Hi, and boy since 1952 a lot of water has passed over the dam, and I surely can't attach names to my thoughts.
We rode the horses out on east of Garland Brook, and forded a "creek" on beyond that, pavement ended and then a dirt country road (might have been McKinley, have no clue) before we crossed the creek. In that long ago past, and now totally politically incorrect, it was called "Nigger Hill." Indeed, there was a lot of vegetation at that point, and the way the postcard looks, the little road veers into the growth and off to the left. Which, indeed, it did, when I rode the horses there. This little road went on up a hill and into farm land at the top. From there we rode on dirt country roads, and eventually came out at the "Junction." Junction of what, for heavens sake, I surely do not recall----two big paved roads. Would tie up the horses and have breakfast and then ride back home.
There was another place in town, and for some reason, I think Rocky Ford, where we crossed a creek. Now that one had a slab of cement where the road crossed the creek. And that, lurking in my memory, was where I saw people washing cars.
Good luck in your quest to identify.
Nanc ;-) [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:23:43 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:23:43 GMT -5
And still, another and out of order... Thanks for everyone's input.
During the summer of 1965, I spent much time with my Grandma at 1019 Parkway Drive.
I remember that McKinley dead-ended about a block on east (?) of Parkway Drive. For some reason, I remember a gate there, but could very well be confusing it with someplace else. I think I remember a "Dead End" sign, marking the spot where McKinley ended and an old gravel or dirt road began.
I know that there was no road that paralleled Parkway on east, because there was a large field that was farmed at the back of Grandma's property line.
I remember riding my bike over to that park close to where East is today, but I can't remember how I rode there from Grandma's house (and the name of that Park escapes me at the moment). I probably took Indiana, as I don't remember any other way I could have gotten there, since Marr Road wasn't built yet. I think I remember an alley, or just a dirt road, that was close to where Marr Road is today, but could be wrong here.
I don't remember riding my bike down that old dirt or gravel road where McKinley ended, but that's not saying I didn't.
I'm assuming that this is the "road" George and Nanc are referring to in their posts.
I had forgotten about people washing their cars at the fords around Columbus. Dad had a "new" 1964 Chevy Biscayne, and used to drive out by the old Lowell Bridge (I think) and wash it. It's funny: although we did have a hose attached to an outside faucet at the house on Center, I can't remember dad ever washing the car there. Anyway, it was more fun to take it wherever we took it, because that meant my sister and I could play around in the water.
Regarding "Nigger Hill Road." I am curious as to where this road was, as it's listed in the phone books and city directories, up to 1966, but is not designated on any maps I've seen. I don't know when they changed the name to whatever road or street it is now. Maybe it was outside the city limits.
I wish I had a date I could share regarding the Fatal Ford Postcard, but I don't. I'm assuming it's from the 1940's or 1950's, judging the style, but that's only a guess... [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:25:46 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:25:46 GMT -5
Hi, David, et al, I think we are all in the same vicinity, as you had mentioned where your grandma lived when I mentioned "Lover's Lane" a while back, and was definitely the way we rode to get to that dirt road, I guess that would have been south, and then east on McKinley (?).
Seems to me that on the "town" side of the creek was a lot of "bottom land" that would flood in the spring. Recall being really scared when we forded the creek at Nigger Hill when the water was high, Sharon and I on ponies and everyone else on bigger horses. We were mighty close to the water, and on stubborn Shetland ponies!!!!
You mentioned Marr Rd. For some reason it sticks in my mind that those bottom lands may have been Marr property down nearer the creek. (Actually, did anyone ever call it a creek, think I always referred to it as a "crick," but that is "so uncomfortable" to type.) ;D
Hope that we figure that post card out. Would really be interesting to know for certain.
Nanc [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:28:48 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:28:48 GMT -5
Loved this post card but it does seem a bit overgrown to have been Rocky Ford. It was a dirt/gravel road and the slope looks mighty familiar but a little too much vegetation, unless it could've just grown up at one point. Suppose? Yes, people washed their cars and my brother and I went swimming in Rocky Ford, as it was just down the gravel road from our house on Middle Road. I remember one time we saw a snake in the water and were just sure it was a water moccasin! You never saw two kids pedal their bikes any faster in your life as we hurried away from the "ford" and beat it home!
Babs [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:30:02 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:30:02 GMT -5
Hi to all, and not that what I have to add really sheds much light on identifying the post card of "Fatal Ford," but one more avenue explored.
Someone mentioned in an email something about "Fatal Ford" on the Burnsville Pike. My uncle (John Hughes, CHS 1924) grew up in Burnsville and drove a horse and buggy to school in Columbus. So forwarded the info that I had, and had my cousin quiz my uncle-----Uncle John recognized and recalled "The Burnsville Pike," but had no input on "Fatal Ford."
Doggone!!! At least another avenue explored.
Nanc [/size]
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Fords
Jun 28, 2006 16:31:09 GMT -5
Post by David Sechrest on Jun 28, 2006 16:31:09 GMT -5
Nancy, I believe we have found the location of Fatal Ford. It is about 1/8 of a mile south of State Rd. 7 and about 1/4 mile west of Clifty bridge. At that time State Rd. 7 would have went due east across clifty creek and the Nolting farm and conected to now Rd 100 south. Ask EC to send you a air photo area. [/size]
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