That Big Rock Out Front of Wood's Mill

Beside the main entrance to Deep River County Park stands this boulder fitted with a bronze plaque.


(Click on image to enlarge)

While looking for something else, I came across the newspaper stories about its dedication on August 16, 1924, at a Wood family reunion combined with a meeting of the Lake County Old Settlers' and Historical Association.

This story from the Hobart Gazette of August 22, 1924, is the most complete:


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I like this cameo of Hannah Pattee Wood, who otherwise gets so little mention:

She is described by one of her daughters-in-law as being "the sweetest woman, always doing good turns for people, a real peacemaker, and to her is due credit for no saloons being allowed in the village while her family was growing up. She was a good wife and mother, truly loved by all."

If I understand correctly, these words, along with the bulk of the article, were part of the "historical sketch of John Wood" delivered by Andrew J. Smith of the Gazette …


This photo dates to circa 1898. You will have to add a quarter-century's age to imagine what he looked like delivering his speech at Wood's Mill in August 1924.
Image courtesy of the Hobart Historical Society.

… who was the president of the Old Settlers' and Historical Association.

The boulder itself, as the article states, was brought to Wood's Mill from the Douglas Maxwell farm. I do wish someone had photographed the process of getting a two-ton boulder into a truck or horse-drawn wagon.

Here is another article, from the Hobart News of August 14, 1924:


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And finally, one from the Hobart News of August 21, 1924:


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