Ghost Towns and Graveyards
Scavenger Hunt Clue:
“Bench Marks the Spot once known as Amesville SawMill and School”
Head west on Jerusalem Road between 10 am – 6 pm any day of the week, until you find a road-side vegetable market known for their local honey and sweet corn. Find the container of corn marked for the Haunted History Tour and take a picture of your group around it. While you are there submit your guess on how many kernels are in the container.
Want to Know More?
Est. 1890, Amesville, Yondota Road between Jerusalem and Corduroy Roads in Jerusalem Township
Hard wood trees were plentiful in the once covered dense forest of the region. Sawmills were prevalent to clear the land for homes and farming. These mills provided wood for homes, churches, schools and staves for barrels. Large baskets and barrels were made to ship dry goods. Winemakers on Kelly’s Island were good customers of waterproof barrels for their wine making activities. The nearby Ward’s Shipyard near Shepherdsville transported the barrels and the wood across the country.
Settlements grew around sawmills. “Amesville” was named for Thomas Ames, an early settler born in 1949. Ames went into partnership to operate the Fellers and Ames Sawmill on Yondota Road. A one-room schoolhouse was built near the Sawmill in 1891 as it attracted workers with families. Soon homes popped up and the settlement of Amesville was born. After a few years, Mr. Ames sold his interest in the mill in favor of farming and purchased much acreage. He became quite active in his community, serving 13 years as a member of the Board of Education. Jerusalem Elementary now stands near where Amesville School once stood. Sawmills eventually went out of business when all the trees were cut down and farming became the focus of the area.
History Fun Fact
Local families today continue to enjoy vegetable produce from the Thomas Ames family farms. His great-grandchildren, the Turnow and Bench families continue his family legacy of farming and stewardship in their local community. Who doesn’t love “Big Dave’s” sweet corn from Bench’s market and the sunflower fields, some of which were planted by the Turnow family.