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Found in Conneaut Edition of the Times - News - Sunday, May 14,
1978 Students of Archaeology Find Area A Dream Spot By Faith Scott CONNEAUT - Indian lore has been capturing the interest of Conneaut residents for many years and continues to fascinate hobbyists of the younger ranks as well. And well it might! Historians have determined that the city is built over a huge burial grounds maintained where the main business district exists today. One area Indian researcher, Robert Blickensderfer, who owns Blick's Studio in town, is a member of the Ohio Archeological Society and was a member of the now defunct Conneaut Archeological Society. He has been delving into the pursuit of Indian culture for over 20 years and has collected many specimens from the area. Working with the local archeological group, he was a part of the team that uncovered some major Indian findings in the Fort Hill area south of the business section on the property now owned by W. C. Kaiser. The last dig was accomplished in 1971 and resulted in the finding of three Indian skeletal remains. The findings, were turned over to Case Western Reserve where they were charted and collected. Two previous digs were held at the site which turned up molds of structures, flint and artifacts of pottery fragments. The Fort Hill site is of keen interest to researchers for its 5,000 year old burial site. It was probed of its holdings in 1863 long before it was known as Fort Hill. Some historians have indicated it was once occupied by the French as they traded with the Indians before settlements. Another area enthusiast, Elman Hoskins of Conneaut, has been collecting Indian artifacts since he was a youngster in 1920. He told the Times-News that he still gets just as much of a 'kick' out of his hobby as when he was a kid. Hoskins said that his interest arose partly because of his respect of the Indian. He said, "Indians fascinate me because they appreciate nature. The Indians feel that the earth and sky is God and he lived one day at a time. Hoskins has amassed an extensive collection with a piece dating to 1,000 B.C. His research provides an interesting look into Indian methods of making spears and clubs. For instance, he said the Indian would select a stone and then make a six inch cut into a young sapling in which to lash the stone. This would be left to grow with the sapling until it was strongly secured into the wood. Hoskins noted that the spring of teh year was the best time to find arrowheads. When he was a youngster he said he followed, the plough which unearthed the shiny flints he collected. All of his holdings were found in the east Conneaut and West Springfield areas. Pictures to be added: A neatly arranged case of Indian artifacts is kept by Blickensdorfer at his studio downtown. [PICTURE TO BE ADDED SOON] Since Elman Hoskins retired in 1974 he has been renewing his interest in Indian artifacts which he as collected since he was a youngster. He holds a ceremonial stone in his right hand and a hole drilled through it and a mortar for grinding. [PICTURE TO BE ADDED SOON] Bob Blickensderfer said that most of the arrowheads found around here are comprised of a material called chert which the Indians found along area beaches. He demonstrates how the Indian sharpened the spears using a dear's horn to edge the arrow. [PICTURE TO BE ADDED SOON] A table is spread with some of teh artifacts found by Hoskins. There are spear points, grinders, Skinners and Ceremonial stones are found in the Conneaut and Springfield areas. [PICTURE TO BE ADDED SOON]
This Web Page has been created to promote the City of Conneaut, OH by Sharon Wick 2002
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