MANSFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) — Possibly the last images of one of Ohio’s most mysterious and forgotten places have been revealed through the lens of a local digital creator, who has a knack for uncovering some of the state’s most intriguing history.
In the past year, Mark Soergel has shared rare photos of the Longaberger Basket Building and Whitehall’s former Woodcliff condos on his Facebook page. Recently, Soergel posted dozens of pictures of a former outdoor arena built specifically to host a historical performance about a legendary figure who worked to transform Ohio and the surrounding regions nearly 200 years ago.
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“I enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous day on Sunday and hiked up to the abandoned Johnny Appleseed Amphitheater near Charles Mill Lake,” wrote Soergel in the post’s caption. “This beautiful site sits nestled into a hill deep in the woods and is surrounded by nature on all sides.”
Soergel’s images feature vines draping down the amphitheater’s seats, vacant passageways, a shattered window, old electronics, and what seems to be a single shoe from an Appleseed-era costume.
“Sadly, it only stayed open for an outdoor drama/play about the life of Johnny Appleseed for 2 seasons, from 2004-05 and has sat vacant since,” added Soergel. “Several attempts to save or repurpose it have failed for various reasons over the years, and it just continues to succumb to the forces of time and nature.”…