The world is full of must-see sites and attractions that have been created by the power of nature. Many people assume that to catch a glimpse of some of the coolest things on planet earth, they must trek to faraway places. Yes, you can travel to China and walk the Great Wall or head south to the mysterious wonder that is Machu Picchu, but you can also stay close to home and see some pretty cool things. The U.S. has incredible natural wonders: The Everglades, The Grand Canyon, and Death Valley are all located right here at home and are indeed something to behold.
There is even a color natural wonder in Ohio. The state of Ohio isn't exactly known for its remarkable landforms, yet it is still home to The Great Blue Hole. Until recently, The Great Blue Hole was a unique and interesting space where people flocked to. Here is what is known about The Great Blue Hole and why it is no longer open to the public.
It Served As A Major Tourist Attraction In The Midwest For Nearly A Century
Tucked away in the tiny town of Castalia, Ohio, lies a pool of clear blue water known as The Great Blue Hole. While Cedar Point is known for being Ohio's great attraction, (sidebar- there are so many great rides that you can't miss here,) this 45-foot deep blue water spot, located only seven miles away from the famous water park, was once just as popular of a tourist attraction. People came from near and far to gaze at the serene blue waters that seemed to extend down so deep that many believed the pools to be bottomless.
The Great Blue Hole was open to visitors from the 1920s to the early 1990s. People would sit, picnic, and relax at nearby picnic tables while pondering the many legends of the natural spring. (For the record, eyeless fish never swam these waters
The Water Temperature Stays Consistently Cold All Year Long And Is Void Of Oxygen
The artesian spring draws its water from deep underground, and this means that it remains consistently cool throughout the year. No matter the month, The Great Blue Hole sits at a chilly 52 to 54 degrees, so not exactly swimming temperatures! The spring is clean and clear and void of oxygen, which is why fish could never be found swimming about in its depths. The Great Blue Hole is also very high in iron and calcium.
In 1990, Is Wasn't Cost-Effective Enough To Sustain
After being a place of sanctuary and serenity, The Great Blue Hole closed its gates to visitors in the early 1990s. As the economy grew, and the tourism because big business in the states, small, quaint spots of yesteryear got pushed out of the mix. Ohio is not exactly a major tourist destination, but the state still houses adventure parks like Cedar Point, Kalahari, and Great Wolf Lodge. All of these new, exciting places for families to experience meant no one was coming to The Great Blue Hole for the day. The decision to close it to the public was purely a financial one.
It Now Functions As A Trout Hatchery
While you can no longer stroll around the water hole or sit on a blanket with your family and eat sandwiches, The Great Blue Hole is still in existence, only now it has an entirely new function. The cold waters are used as a trout hatchery for a group called Castalia State Fish Hatchery. The waters are now oxygenated, and the hole incubated some thirty thousand eggs each year.
These Days You'll Have To Be A Raffle Winner To Peek At Ohio's Great Blue Hole
There are other blue holes throughout Ohio, but there is nothing quite like the original. Every April, The Castalia Historical Society holds a special raffle, and twenty lucky raffle winners get the chance to spend the day at the once infamous natural wonder.