Content uploaded by Douglas William Hume
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Douglas William Hume on Feb 20, 2021
Content may be subject to copyright.
Applied Environmental Anthropology Research Group at Northern Kentucky University
Hawthorne Crossing
Conservation Area
Oral History and
Community Opinion Study
!
Prepared and published by the Applied Environmental Anthropology Research Group
at Northern Kentucky University on September 30, 2009.
Douglas W. Hume, Ph.D., Director
228 Landrum Academic Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
humed1@nku.edu
859.572.5702
http://aearg.nku.edu/
Assisted by students of a summer 2009 independent studies course (Lindsie Barley,
Laura Burford, and Tim Carpenter) as well as students of the spring 2009 Applied
Anthropology course at Northern Kentucky University (Lindsie Barley, Laura Burford,
Justin Davis, Tom Diebel, Tim Carpenter, Emela Halilovic, Ashley Huntley, Christopher
Hutchinson, Susan Krech, Daryl Manley, Casey McCann, Kimberly McLean, Matthew
Moddrelle, Jessica Ritter, Natalie Root, Marissa Rossine, Farah Wolfe, Kathryn Wood,
and Marcia Young).
This service-learning project was funded by a University-community Partnership Mini-
Grant, Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, Northern Kentucky University.
Printing was funded by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy,
College of Arts and Sciences, Northern Kentucky University.
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1
Methods .............................................................................................................................. 1
Findings ............................................................................................................................. 2
Oral History of Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area ........................................... 2
Questionnaire of Community Opinions ...................................................................... 2
Participation in the Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area .................................... 3
Uses of the Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area .................................................. 3
What is conservation? .................................................................................................. 4
What is nature? ............................................................................................................ 4
Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 4
Appendix I: Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Oral History .................................. 7
Appendix II: Questionnaire Results .................................................................................. 9
!
1!
Introduction
This report documents the oral history and community opinions of the Hawthorne
Crossing Conservation Area (HCCA) as collected by the Applied Environmental
Anthropology Research Group at Northern Kentucky University. The methods of
data collection and analysis are described first, followed by a detailed explanation of
the findings. This report concludes with several recommendations to the Hawthorne
Crossing Conservation Area Joint Management Team for continued relationship
with the community surrounding the HCCA.
Methods
Douglas Hume attended meetings with Conservation District of Campbell County,
Campbell Conservancy and Campbell County Fiscal Court members of the
Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Joint Management Team from February
2009 through October 2009. The Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Joint
Management Team appears to have a good working relationship and share common
goals for the HCCA. During several of the earlier meetings, Douglas Hume
coordinated meetings with the community surrounding the HCCA and reported on
the progress of the AEARG in collecting the oral history of HCCA and community
opinions of the HCCA project.
During a community meeting held at the Licking Valley Baptist Church on the
evening of March 30, 2009, Douglas Hume and the students of his Applied
Anthropology course1 at NKU were introduced to the community surrounding HCCA
by the Conservation District of Campbell County. Over 50 community members
attended the meeting and much interest was expressed in oral history and expressing
their opinions of the HCCA project.
Douglas Hume and five students2 from the Applied Anthropology course were given
a tour of the HCCA by David Peck on April 4, 2009.
Interviews were conducted with the community at the Licking Valley Baptist Church
on the evenings of April 6 and 9, 2009. Approximately twenty community members
attended and consented to be interviewed by students. Follow up interviews with the
community members were conducted by phone, email and in person. Several
interviews were conducted after the community meetings with individuals that could
not attend.
During May and June, 2009, Lindsie Barley consolidated the oral history data
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 Students of the spring 2009 Applied Anthropology course at Northern Kentucky University
included: Lindsie Barley, Laura Burford, Justin Davis, Tom Diebel, Tim Carpenter, Emela
Halilovic, Ashley Huntley, Christopher Hutchinson, Susan Krech, Daryl Manley, Casey McCann,
Kimberly McLean, Matthew Moddrelle, Jessica Ritter, Natalie Root, Marissa Rossine, Farah
Wolfe, Kathryn Wood, and Marcia Young.
2!Timothy!Carpenter,!Justin!Davis,!Susan!Krech,!Casey!McCann,!and!Kathryn!Wood.!
!
2!
collected by the Applied Anthropology course into narrative form. Lindsie Barley
also visited the offices of the Campbell County Conservation District to collect
addresses for mailing labels where she was assisted by Mary Katherine Dickerson,
Campbell County Conservation District Coordinator.
Laura Burford and Timothy Carpenter created propositional statements for the
questionnaire from the interview notes of students in the Applied Anthropology
course. The statements that appear in the questionnaire were created from
statements community members made during interviews.
Eighty oral history drafts and questionnaires were mailed to the community
surrounding the HCCA on July 30, 2009. Nineteen drafts and questionnaires were
returned during August and September 2009. One of the 19 declined to participate
and one questionnaire was not answered. Only five returned comments on the oral
history draft.
During September 2009, Douglas Hume analyzed the data collected in the oral
history draft and questionnaire. A final report was written by Douglas Hume and
edited by Lindsie Barley, Laura Burford, and Timothy Carpenter.
Findings
Oral History of Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area
The oral history (see Appendix I) of the HCCA appears to now be generally
acceptable to the community members who responded through mail to the draft.
Disagreements about the oral history that remain are due to community
members adding information about their family history in Hawthorne that are
not directly related to the HCCA. A graduate student at NKU, Susan Krech, is
collecting oral history stories of several families that have a long history on the
Hawthorne Community. Her project will be available to the HCCA and the
Campbell County Kentucky Historical and Genealogical Society upon its
completion. A disclaimer has been added to the end of the oral history indicating
that the narrative is a summary of the history of the HCCA and not the greater
Hawthorne area. Also, it is suggested that for more information interested
parties should contact the Campbell County Kentucky Historical and
Genealogical Society.
Questionnaire of Community Opinions
Seventeen community members completed the questionnaire. The data collected
in the questionnaires must be interpreted with the understanding that the
members of the community that completed the questionnaires are very interested
in the HCCA and therefore their answers may or may not represent the entire
community surrounding the HCCA. Mostly older (average age 60.93 years old)
men (70.59% men, 17.62% women, and 11.76% unknown) answered the
questionnaire.
!
3!
Participation in the Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area
Most of the community members responded that they wanted to be involved with
the HCCA (64.71%). Several members indicated that they would like to donate
equipment (such as farm equipment) if a museum is made out of the barn
(23.53%). About half of the community members would either like to help in the
construction of new projects, preserving old structures and the bridgework or
participate in the trail maintenance of the HCCA (52.94%). Several community
members mentioned in the comments that they would be interested in rebuilding
the bridge, volunteering and donating Native American artifacts collected on the
HCCA.
Uses of the Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area
The majority of community members would like to see the HCAA used for
scientific research (88.24%). Most community members would like to see the
HCCA used for kayaking (88.24%) and canoe access (82.35%). Most community
members would like to see the old barn and silo restored and preserved (70.59%).
A slight majority of community members would like to see the HCCA used for
fishing (64.71%) and picnics (64.71%). Half of the community members would
like to see the HCCA used for biking (52.94%).
Although it has been stated that hunting is not allowed on the HCCA, a few
community members indicated that they would like to see the HCCA used for
hunting (11.76%). This question provoked one community member to write in
the comments:
You accepted grant money for this project with the intent for a nature
preserve, and we were assured this property would be kept in its natural
habitat. Therefore, why the questions about using this for picnics, fishing,
etc.? There are guidelines in the grant that you must ADHERE to, and not
change due to a survey. NO hunting - why is this even a consideration?
Again, we were strongly assured there would be NO hunting on this property,
why are these questions even asked? I am very concerned you are going to
turn this property into something other than a nature preserve, and this land
will be destroyed.
One community member wrote that they “prefer primary use to be for education
and research… recreation use to be limited.” Lastly, another community member
suggested that:
A lot more research is needed on the property. Federal Grants should be
applied to remove all invasive species (amur honeysuckle etc.) and native
grasslands, shrubs and trees planted in their place. A caretaker or tenant
needs to live near the property to take care of the above. A portable office
(trailer) and portable restrooms for workers need to be on the property.
!
4!
Permanent offices, restrooms, shower facilities, store, etc. should be part of
the overall plan for the property.
What is conservation?
Partly as a function of the self selection of the community members who chose to
invest the time in filling out the survey, there were unanimous agreement with
the following statements: (1) conservation is wise use; (2) conservation is good
stewardship of the land and natural resources; (3) conservation is important to
me; and (4) we must care for the water, trees, and creatures. Most of the
community members think that conserving green space in Kentucky is important
and conservation is doing no harm, working with the land and helping it heal
(94.12%). Many of the community members would define conservation as the
protection and preservation of wildlife and our natural resources such as forests
as well as preserving something before it is wasted or gone (82.35%). Finally,
community members mostly agree that conservation is getting areas to their
previous state and preserving them from there so that later generations are able
to enjoy them as well and that conservation is keeping it as natural as possible
without interrupting nature (76.47%).
What is nature?
The majority of the community members responded that nature is all natural
things: animals, plants and the ecosystem (94.12%). Many of the community
members believe nature is God’s Creation and that wildlife should not be
disturbed (82.35%). A small majority responded that nature is freedom for all to
exist (70.59%) and that nature is the state of the world as it is without mankind’s
intervention (64.71%).
Finally, only a few community members agreed that nature is the community and
the houses that are a part of the area (35.29%). This suggests that the community
members that responded to the questionnaire, while they believe the
conservation of nature is important, they do not consider humans communities
part of nature.
Recommendations
Continuous and regular communication about the progress and goals of the
Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Joint Management Team is essential to keep
the community involved and ease any concerns that arise.
When communicating the results from the questionnaire, it is recommended that the
community be told that while the land may only be used for certain purposes, the
Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Joint Management Team wanted to know
what people thought, even if they disagreed with the rules. Open and honest
communication should always be the goal.
!
5!
It is recommended that a mailing be sent to the community surrounding HCCC
about the plans for the property owned by the Conservation District and the
Conservancy. For example, the limitation of picnic areas and parking to the
Conservancy property would ease any concerns that the HCCA is being turned into a
recreational park rather than a nature preserve.
The community surrounding the HCCA wants to be involved. Make every effort to
inform them about when and how they may volunteer to help in small (e.g., trash
cleanup along the Licking Pike) to large (trail creation) projects.
!
6!
!
7!
Appendix I
Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area Oral History*
The Licking River and Ripple Creek, both of which give the landscape a unique
character, border Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area (HCCA) along Liking Pike in
Campbell County. Two knolls, often disappearing in the morning mist, provide
outstanding views of the river. The name Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area was
chosen to honor the history of this land. In earlier days, the shallow riffle in the Licking
River near the community of Hawthorne allowed travelers an easy crossing into present
day Kenton County. The community of Hawthorne has since disappeared, although its
name endures in people’s memories and in print, on county maps.
The earliest historic records indicate that temporary hunting parties of Native
Americans first occupied Hawthorne. Remains of one of their campsites are still located
on the property near the river. Hawthorne was named after Howard Hawthorne, who
was a Second Lieutenant in the cavalry that fought in the battle at Wounded Knee, for
which he received the Medal of Honor for his actions during battle. Howard Hawthorne
retired with the rank of Colonel. Colonel Hawthorne died of meningitis and influenza on
April 10, 1848, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The 1883 Campbell
County map indicates the land as belonging to the heirs of Howard Hawthorne. The
1930 census lists Hawthorne Crossing as having a population of 26 people. Records
show that James H. Rusk was postmaster in 1880, followed by Thomas Jenkins in 1893,
and Theodore Shanks in 1913. Service was discontinued in August 1914 and mail was the
sent to Alexandria.
The Trapp family emigrated by boat from Germany to Hawthorne Crossing in 1855. The
Trapp family included four sons (John, Nick, Leonard [known as George] and George
Leonard [known as Len]) and a daughter who died during the voyage. Shortly after
arriving, a fifth son (Andrew) was born on September 18, 1855. A month later Mrs.
Trapp died. The Trapp family lived in the lower house at Hawthorne Crossing. The
family kept dairy cows, pigs, and farmed crops on the property. John Trapp and his
family resided in a house west of the Tollgate and north of Low Gap Road. Len Trapp
resided in a stone house adjacent to the HCCA. Len Trapp’s son, John, owned the river
bottoms in the present day HCCA. The Trapp family also barged coal up the Licking
River using scales near the road to weigh the coal. After a tax was levied on scales, the
scales were removed.
An inn known as the Ten Mile House was located just south of the property. Farmers
would stay at the inn on their way to Newport and other towns to sell their produce. The
Mile Houses are named for how many miles away the building was located from
Newport, Kentucky. The Ten Mile House was a lunch and dinner restaurant that also
sold gas, beer, and candy. At one time the price for gas at the Mile houses was 15 cents a
gallon, two cents of which was tax. The Ten Mile House may have also served as a
brothel at one time. Farmers would go and rest for the night during the process of
shipping their pigs and herd animals to the markets in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Ten Mile
House was still in operation until it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s.
!
8!
In the 1950s the Army Corps of Engineers surveyed the property and surrounding area,
labeling it Hawthorne Crossing. The engineers determined the rise in water level prior
to constructing the dams in the Ohio River. The dams raised the water level obliterating
the riffle that had been the crossing.
Richard "Ace" Doran, a wealthy man, bought the property in the 1950s. He owned Ace
Doran Company, which was a hauling and rigging company. He used the property to
house chickens, pigs, and ponies. Ace wanted to buy back all the land his grandfather
had owned. Pud Nickels rented the old John Trapp house from Ace Doran and served as
a caretaker.
Ace Doran died from falling down a staircase and his family inherited the land, which
they sold off in sections. One of those sections was bought by the Seiler family, which
later sold the property to the Campbell County Conservation District and Campbell
Conservancy.
An old tollgate was located in the Hawthorne community, lending its name to the
present day Tollgate Road. John Trapp also owned the Tollgate Road that passes close
to the property. Ms. Quinn last owned the Tollgate Building. Inside the Tollgate Building
was a slot machine. The Tollgate House burned down in 1972.
The flood in the creek along Licking Pike took out the old makeshift walk bridge by the
lower house and barn in the mid-1990s. The present day walk bridge was constructed
from the beams of a 1970 70-foot Vindale mobile home. In 1997, the bridge survived a
flood that left a watermark on the barn and almost reached the house.
The property came to the attention of the Campbell Conservancy when it was listed for
sale in 2006. The Conservancy pursued private funding to purchase the property and
ultimately turned to the Campbell Country Conservation District to assist. Being a
governmental unit of the state, the Conservation District was eligible to apply for, and
received, a grant through the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. In August
2008, the Conservation District purchased 135 acres of land. The Campbell
Conservancy, with the Campbell County Fiscal Court, acquired an additional five acres.
The combined area is now known as the Hawthorne Crossing Conservation Area.
* The oral history above focuses on the HCCA and represents only a small part of the
rich history of the community of Hawthorne. For more information about the history of
Hawthorne, please contact the Campbell County Kentucky Historical and Genealogical
Society, 8352 E. Main Street, Court House Second Floor, Alexandria, Kentucky 41011.
!
9!
Appendix II
Questionnaire Results
Demographic Information
1. Age of respondents:
Average Minimum Maximum Not Answered
60.93 37 82 2 (11.76%)
2. Sex of respondents:
Male Female Not Answered
12 (70.59%) 3 (17.65%) 2 (11.76%)
Participation in HCCA
1. I would like to be hands on with the landscaping of HCCA.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
9 (52.94%) 6 (35.29%) 2 (11.76%)
2. I just want to be involved in the extent of communicating the oral history of the
HCCA.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
4 (23.53%) 10 (58.82%) 3 (17.65%)
3. I want to be involved with the HCCA.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
11 (64.71%) 4 (23.53%) 2 (11.76%)
4. I believe there should be an effort to recycle on the HCCA.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
12 (70.59%) 2 (11.76%) 3 (17.65%)
5. I would like to donate equipment (such as farm equipment) if a museum is made
out of the barn.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
4 (23.53%) 6 (35.29%) 7 (41.18%)
6. I would like to help in the construction of new projects, preserving old structures
and the bridgework.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
9 (52.94%) 6 (35.29%) 2 (11.76%)
7. I would enjoy participating in the trail maintenance of the HCCA.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
9 (52.94%) 5 (29.41%) 3 (17.65%)
!
10!
8. My idea of conservation is saving the HCCA in its original state, but preserving it.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
13 (76.47%) 3 (17.65%) 1 (5.88%)
Uses of HCCA
1. I would like to see the HCCA used for sightseeing.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
13 (76.47%) 3 (17.65%) 1 (5.88%)
2. I would like to see the HCAA used for scientific research.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 2 (11.76%) 0 (0.00%)
3. I would like to see the HCCA used for kayaking.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 2 (11.76%) 0 (0.00%)
4. I would like to see the HCCA used for canoe access.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
14 (82.35%) 3 (17.65%) 0 (0.00%)
5. I would like to see the HCCA used for fishing.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
11 (64.71%) 5 (29.41%) 1 (5.88%)
6. I would like to see the HCCA preserved and maintained.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
16 (94.12%) 1 (5.88%) 0 (0.00%)
7. I would like to see the HCCA used for hunting.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
2 (11.76%) 14 (82.35%) 1 (5.88%)
8. I would like to see the HCCA used for biking.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
9 (52.94%) 7 (41.18%) 1 (5.88%)
9. I would like to see the HCCA used for conservation.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 1 (5.88%) 1 (5.88%)
10. I think the HCCA should be used for picnics.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
11 (64.71%) 5 (28.41%) 1 (5.88%)
!
11!
11. I would like to see the HCCA used for hiking.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 0 (0.00%) 2 (11.76%)
12. I would like to see the old barn and silo restored and preserved.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
12 (70.59%) 2 (11.76%) 3 (17.65%)
13. I believe the HCCA should not be interfered with and instead let nature manage
itself.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
4 (23.53%) 11 (64.71%) 2 (11.76%)
What is conservation?
1. Conservation is wise use.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
17 (100.00%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
2. I think conserving green space in Kentucky is important.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
16 (94.12%) 0 (0.00%) 1 (5.88%)
3. Conservation is getting areas to their previous state and preserving them so that
later generations are able to enjoy them as well.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
14 (82.35%) 2 (11.76%) 1 (5.88%)
4. Conservation is good stewardship of the land and natural resources.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
17 (100.00%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
5. We must care for the water, trees, and creatures.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
17 (100.00%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
6. Conservation is important to me.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
17 (100.00%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
7. Conservation is doing no harm, working with the land and helping it heal.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
16 (94.12%) 0 (0.00%) 1 (5.88%)
8. Conservation is keeping it as natural as possible without interrupting nature.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
13 (76.47%) 1 (5.88%) 3 (17.65%)
!
12!
9. I would define conservation as the protection and preservation of wildlife and our
natural resources such as forests.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 0 (0.00%) 2 (11.76%)
10. Conservation is preserving something before it is wasted or gone.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
14 (82.35%) 2 (11.76%) 1 (5.88%)
What is nature?
1. Nature happens to be anything that occurs in the natural world.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
12 (70.59%) 2 (11.76%) 3 (17.65%)
2. Nature is the community and the houses that are a part of the area.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
6 (35.29%) 9 (52.94%) 2 (11.76%)
3. Nature is the state of the world as it is without mankind’s intervention.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
11 (64.71%) 3 (17.65%) 3 (17.65%)
4. Nature is all natural things: animals, plants and the ecosystem.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
16 (94.12%) 0 (0.00%) 1 (5.88%)
5. I believe nature is God’s Creation.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
15 (88.24%) 2 (11.76%) 0 (0.00%)
6. I believe wildlife should not be disturbed.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
14 (82.35%) 2 (11.76%) 1 (5.88%)
7. Nature is freedom for all to exist.
Agree Disagree Not Answered
12 (70.59%) 0 (0.00%) 5 (29.41%)
Comments
1. In general, I believe the land could best serve the public as an open park. Hiking,
canoeing, picnicking, etc. should be afforded as well as public education
programs and historic and natural museums would be a definite plus. When all
surveys and censuses etc. are completed I would be willing to volunteer to help in
any way.
!
13!
2. Preserving the old barn and silo is a wonderful idea. Old bridge should be rebuilt.
I would like to play a part. Thanks for the history!
3. You accepted grant money for this project with the intent for a nature preserve,
and we were assured this property would be kept in its natural habitat.
Therefore, why the questions about using this for picnics, fishing, etc.? There are
guidelines in the grant that you must ADHERE to, and not change due to a
survey. NO hunting - why is this even a consideration? Again, we were strongly
assured there would be NO hunting on this property, why are these questions
even asked? I am very concerned you are going to turn this property into
something other than a nature preserve, and this land will be destroyed.
4. I personally have a collection of Indian artifacts collected on the property. I
would willingly donate them. I have knowledge of a stonewall used to unload
coal. There is a high water mark on the barn from the 1937 flood.
5. A lot more research is needed on the property. Federal Grants should be applied
to remove all invasive species (amok honeysuckle etc) and native grasslands,
shrubs and trees planted in their place. A caretaker or tenant needs to live near
the property to take care of the above. A portable office (trailer) and portable
restrooms for workers need to be on the property. Permanent offices, restrooms,
shower facilities, store, etc should be part of the overall plan for the property.
6. I really do not have time to donate in shaping this preserve right now, but I am
very interested in what is going on at the Hawthorne Crossing. I have been there
it is a very pretty place. Really happy with the potential there. Very interested in
both Native American and the study of early whites history. For my family is not
from this area. I am from Milford, Oh., but live in Covington now. I love natural
Kentucky and its history. I have also visited Quiet Trails State Nature Reserve a
few times. Very nice. Thank you for this opportunity.
7. Prefer primary use to be for education and research. Prefer recreation use to be
limited.
Applied
Environment al
Anthropology
Research
Group
Northern
Kentucky
University