Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Historic Walter Ring House
An undated photo of the original grist mill of Ring Mill.
A Mill and a Community
The Ring family came to America in the 1700’s, first settling in New York and then in Belmont County, Ohio in 1812. Walter and Margaret Ring settled here in Monroe County in 1836, when it was owned by John Cline who operated a grist mill here which he built in 1817.
Millers by trade, the Rings then bought the property in 1840, at which time they began work on the stone house. They lived in a log house until this house was completed in 1846. They replaced the old grist mill with a new one in 1848 and added a sawmill in 1850.
The grist mill is described as a spectacular 5-story structure which measured 28-feet square. Its mill stones were brought from Pennsylvania, and each one weighed 1,600 pounds.
The house and family members in 1890.
The Ring Family
In addition to the milling activities, the Rings also farmed the land. One account even mentions that there was a schoolhouse situated between the house and mills.
A covered bridge was built across the Little Muskingum here in 1882, but was replaced by a metal truss in 1955. The adjacent community which developed was hence known as Ring’s Mill.
Four generations of Rings lived here and operated a fairly successful milling business until 1921 when a heavy ice flow washed out the dam. The Rings were a prominent family in this area, helping organize the first church community in the township and became involved in local government as township trustees.
The stone house was occupied by members of the Ring family until 1972 when the property was purchased by the Forest Service.
The Ring House
The Ring House, also known as "The Old Stone House".
Also known as the "Old Stone House", the Ring House was constructed of hand hewn sandstone which was quarried from the adjacent hills and hauled to the site by teams of oxen. It has 1 1/2-stories, the walls are 2 feet thick, and it sits on a raised foundation, apparently due to the threat of flooding. One of the most unusual decorative features of the house was that the exterior walls were painted to resemble brick (some of this is still evident, especially on its north side).
The whole site, encompassing approximately 6 acres, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Though the historic house has been stabilized it is not open to the public at this time.
Volunteers Help Save the House
The Ring family holds a reunion annually at the house. This was a photo taken at the 2002 reunion of the entire Ring clan!
When the house was acquired by the Forest Service, it was still in remarkably good shape. The heirs of Walter Ring were sentimental about the old home place and volunteered to re-roof and stabilize the structure.Along with township trustees and other local people the Ring family descendants also helped develop a canoe access point near the old house. The partnership built a shelter house, picnic sites, and steps down to the river.
Visit the Ring House at the Ring Mill Campground
Today the Ring Mill House is part of the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway tour and has an interpretive sign out front. The roof and floor have been replaced and their supports strengthened. Support was also added to the interior walls and ceiling. The exterior has been cleaned and sealed to keep out water and animals. Further restoration will occur if funding becomes available.