Castalia, Ohio: Blue Hole - The Attraction (Gone)

I grew up in Castalia and I know the Blue Hole very well. It does bring me some good feelings to read misinformation/misconceptions and lore of the Blue Hole.

However, it is in fact owned by a trout farm and has been closed since 1992. There are several "blue holes" around the Castalia area (I have heard of 20 or more). The one that was mentioned before is part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources new trout farm. This, too, used to be a private fishing club.

The rumor of the horse and cart was allegedly attributed to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The water is unoxygenated, but all Blue Holes are. The water however, is in the low to mid 40s all year round and never freezes! I have been in the water of the blue hole more than once!

You won't be able to see the true Blue Hole unless you befriend the right Castalian. . .

There is more than one "Blue Hole." There are actually seven of these "holes" in that area of Castalia, only one of which is open for viewing to the public. There is no charge. It lacks the magic of its more famous brother, but it is something you must see, if only once. The "blue hole" is a pond about 75 feet in diameter. Looking into it, it is shaped like a funnel. The sides are very steep, with the deepest part (and a hole) in the center.

The lack of oxygen, wildlife, and noticeable current keep the water crystal clear. The trees block the wind, so the surface stays smooth as glass. The reason it appears to have no bottom is the water will play tricks on your eyes, just like looking though a large convex magnifying glass. The water bends the light rays just like glass.

It is fed from an underwater stream. It lacks the oxygen needed to sustain life so plants and fish are unable to live in it. It has a strange "slime" that grows on the bottom/sides instead of algae. Because it is fed from underneath, it becomes the origin of a stream. As the water flows from the "pond" and flows through rapids and is churned by the rocks in the stream, it mixes air/oxygen into the water and becomes fresh, clean water perfect for fish and plants -- one reason these streams are used by the state as hatcheries. This "hole" that is open to the public is also a fascinating place to observe the hatching taking place.

According to our local travel guy, the Blue Hole is re-opened...sort of. The owners of a fish hatchery nearby the original beloved attraction found ANOTHER Blue Hole nearly the same size as the original. The "new" Blue Hole has the same eerie bluish-green color, unexplained source and hopefully the same kitsch as the orginal. Plus, it's now open for public viewing year round!

As a boy growing up in Ohio, our family often stopped at the Blue Hole on the way to Cedar Point. Contrary to some comments, the Blue Hole was a stunning sight, a former "power spot" for native Americans and a mysterious icon for many kids. How deep was it? Where did it end? Natural phenomenom of this sort are very rare in Ohio and the Blue Hole was important to the children!

I am searching for any Blue Hole memorabilia out there -- postcards, banners, t-shirts-anything with an image (will pay cash - contact stateofthings1@home.com). I tried to visit in summer 2000 and was dismayed to find it closed.

The Blue Hole that most people have heard of is on private property and has been closed for many years. We heard it was reopening on some "one tank trip" show on a Cleveland news station. We drove out one afternoon in search of the blue hole. The ice cream stand across the street from the famous blue hole (still closed) gave us directions to a fish hatchery owned by the Ohio fish and wildlife division that was rumored to have found another blue hole. We drove into the hatchery and were lucky enough to find a friendly Ranger who walked us back to a blue hole that had just been discovered when they were clearing the land to expand/improve the fish hatchery. The Ranger told us they suspected it was connected to the first and famous blue hole through underground caverns but they hadn't discovered how yet. He said they were planning on creating an observation deck and putting in walkways for people to see their blue hole but didn't know when. I definitely wouldn't make a trip out there without confirming that it's actually opened to the public and safe to view.