Charles Mill Lake

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.HistoryThe area around the lake experienced several incidents of violence between settlers and Native Americans during the War of 1812. An attack took place within a mile of the dam site following the forced removal of the Piqua Indians from their homes in Greentown. The Native Americans first attacked the home of the Frederick Zimmer family, killing Zimmer, his wife and daughter, and their neighbor, Martin Ruffner. Several days later, a settler, James Copus, and three militamen were killed while defending Copus' home and family. There is a historical marker in the day use area of the lake that recounts the stories of "Frontier Violence During the War of 1812" and "English-Allied Indian Attacks", and a monument honoring these events was erected on Route 603, near the damn.