Possible Camp Sherman Gatepost Unearthed May 2005

This large concrete gatepost was dug up at the north entrance to the Veterans Administration Medical Center north of Chilicothe.

A Dramatic Find

Those of you who are familliar with all the construction activity north of Chillicothe for the "State Route 207 Connector" project may have seen something appear at the north entrance to the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

A large molded concrete post was unearthed there about May 10th during grading for the north end of widened SR 104. This post is not the same as the VA sign that was located there; that sign is completely gone now.

	My rendering of the gatepost.

I am guessing that this was a marker for the north end of WWI Camp Sherman. The post is identical in design and size to the larger posts surviving at Wharf Street, which were built there to mark the ceremonial entrance to the camp on High Street across from the end of Church Street. It is also identical in design to gateposts at the former warden's house on Pleasant Valley Road, which was at another edge of the Camp Sherman property.

I spoke with Victor Picciano of the Ohio Department of Transportation about the gatepost, who told me that ODOT cannot re-erect it on their property because it would be a safety hazard. He has offered the post to the Ross County Historical Society. If they cannot take it, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is interested in it, since they also focus on Camp Sherman history. Whoever accepts it, the next step is to figure out how and where to move it!

	The north gateposts at Wharf Street.

	The gateposts at the entrance to Wharf Street, off High Street, at the ceremonial main entrance to Camp Sherman.

	The brass panel commemorating the gateposts at Wharf Street.