Charles Mill Lake

Charles Mill Lake
View from the Ohio 430 bridge in Ashland County, Ohio looking north
Location	Ashland / Richland counties, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates	40°45′49.6″N 82°22′26.4″W / 40.763778°N 82.374000°W / 40.763778; -82.374000Coordinates: 40°45′49.6″N 82°22′26.4″W / 40.763778°N 82.374000°W / 40.763778; -82.374000
Type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Black Fork of the Mohican River
Primary outflows	Black Fork of the Mohican River
Catchment area	215 sq mi (560 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	5.2 mi (8.4 km) to 19.8 mi (31.9 km)
Surface area	1,350 acres (5.5 km2) to 6,050 acres (24.5 km2)
Surface elevation	1,093 ft (333 m)
References

Charles Mill is a reservoir located in central Ohio near the junction of State Routes 430 and 603. Charles Mill Lake is a quiet and enjoyable place for boating, camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking. The lake is located in both Richland County (near Mansfield) and Ashland County (near Mifflin), with the dam located in Ashland County. This lake is located on the Black Fork of the Mohican River. Many local residents refer to Chales Mill Lake as Mifflin Lake due to its proximity to Mifflin, Ohio.

The lake primarily sees local use by nearby residents who fish or boat. The marina is accessible from St. Rt. 430, and there is a 10-HP (7.5 kW) limit for boats. The marina rents and sells various watercraft and provides licensing services.

There is a Historical Marker in the Day Use Area that recounts the stories of "Frontier Violence During the War of 1812" and "English-Allied Indian Attacks." An attack took place within a mile of the dam site following the removal of the Piqua Indians from their tribal home area. The Indians first attack the home of the Frederick Zimmer family, and their neighbor Martin Rufferner, killing four. Several days later four more persons {one pioneer and three militamen} were killed while defending the home of the James Copus family, including Rev. James Copus. As you drive South on Ohio State Route 603 watch for the sign directing you to a historical monument erected to the memory of those settlers and soldiers who were killed. In 2006 a new fence was erected around the momuent, a photo is included in the photo section on this site. Members of the Copus family have held an annual reunion in this picnic area for years.

Tradition holds that Johnny Appleseed raced throughout the area warning others following the attacks. In 2004, the Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center opened nearby; the original production is no longer presented, check with the tourism number for their offerings.

An eleven-foot-tall, 1,000 pound ape-like monster known as Orange Eyes has reportedly been terrifying residents near Ohio's Charles Mill Lake since 1959. But the popular recreation site is also said to be the home of an armless, web-footed, green-eyed creature known simply as the Mill Lake Monster. Even stranger, in October 1973, there was a bizarre encounter between a UFO and a military helicopter over the lake, leading many people to believe Orange Eyes and the Mill Lake Monster might be extraterrestrial in origin.