Beaver Creek State Park — Attraction in East Liverpool

Gaston's Mill was built in 1837 by Samuel Conkle. The mill assumed its name from Philander Gaston, who owned and operated the mill longer than anyone else.

The mill is 2 1/2 stories tall with a full basement built with cut sandstone. The grain was delivered on the first floor and taken down to the basement to be ground. The milled grain was then elevated to the third floor for sifting. A large exterior wooden waterwheel, about 10' wide and 6' in diameter, powered a log shaft which enabled the elevators and equipment to work on all three floors. Buhrstones ground corn, oats and wheat. It operated until World War I.

"Restoration work was begun in January, 1964, by the Columbiana County Forests and Park Council under an agreement with the Columbiana County Historical Association. The building was straightened and beams replaced in the basement; part of the stone wall and chimney were rebuilt; siding and part of the floors have been replaced and a new shingle roof installed. The shingles for the roof were made locally in 1964 by an old shingle machine built in 1857 in Salem, Ohio. Most of the timbers and posts are original. Some new gears and wood teeth have been installed and a new log shaft for the water wheel was installed. More work is yet to be done, including rebuilding the ramp to the second floor, chutes, elevators and screen equipment to be installed. Every effort has been made to exactly duplicate the original structure and machinery." ("Gaston's Mill,").

The Sandy and Beaver Canal was built from 1834-1846. Lock #36 is preserved at the mill site. The lock is 130' long, 15' wide and 14' high. It is constructed with huge, cut sandstones. The canal had the potential of transporting goods from the mill to other trade centers but, with the advent of the railroad, the demand for canal transportation died.

There is a large millpond created by a millrace that accepts water from Beaver Creek, which is the same creek that supplied and monitored the water for the canal. In addition to the old mill, millpond, canal and lock, there is also an authentic covered bridge at the mill site. Gaston's Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Maintained and operated by the State of Ohio, Gaston's Mill is a pleasure to visit....

This park offers a trip back to yesteryear with its well maintained pioneer village structures. There are many days throughout the year where the old buildings are open to explore. With a working grist mill, lock and water wheel, blacksmith shop, school, chapel, home, covered bridge and so much more. Also visit the educational center that is open seasonally. It had one of the largest taxidermy collection of animals I have ever seen. The way the art is displayed is one in itself. The campground is placed a few miles from the park but has trails to walk down to the park that I think is only like a mile. The campground has restrooms, sunshower where you have your water bags in to shower, projector board with bench seating and 2 small playgrounds. It's is perfect for sunsets and the view is AMAZING. When you drive in to the right and go all the way to the culdisac, that view right there has the 3rd highest point in Ohio but the highest in Columbiana County called, Round Knob. Campground offers a payment drop box so it's easy to pop in and pop out. Located on a rural road with lots of bumps so if you have a rv or trailer, take it slow. Mind the directions for rv because there is a one car bridge in beaver creek and you can't take trailers across it. So to get to the park, turn left out of the campground if you have a vehicle larger than a dually truck. If it's smaller you can go right to get to the park. 2 cabins. 1 is handicapped accessible which includes an enclosed eating...

This park has so much potential but falls short. Some of the trails are pretty rugged, they're plentiful and the flora is interesting. The park has many options, but every single map sucks. Every single trail is poorly marked. The equestrian trail isn't on any map. The scenic overlook doesn't have any signage when you arrive and it overlooks a road and parking lot. The forests are young.

If the trails were better marked and cleaned up, they could be great. Accurate maps would make the park easier to navigate and much more enjoyable. Placards describing the flora would get people engaged in the environment. Signage directing you to parking and trailheads would benefit all visitors. Trail crews to clean up downed trees would be nice.

I wanted to give this park a better review because it has the potential to be phenomenal, one of the best in the state, but it chronically falls short in areas in areas that could easily...