Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers
National Monument Highpoint Trip Report
Date: July 11, 2013
Author: John Mitchler
General Description: This new national monument is east of Dayton in
southwestern Ohio, and features a house, a parking lot, and a cornfield.
Distance: 1000 feet one-way
Difficulty: Easy walk
Elevation gain: 5 feet
Summit elevation: 1,000 feet
Maps: DeLorme p. 66, USGS topo not necessary
Access/permits: Not open to public yet.
Best months: Winter when mud and crops are not in field.
Visitor Center: None yet.
Telephone: (513) 607-0315
Park Service Web Page
Highpoint Description: A distinct rise in flat crop field.
Finding the trailhead:
From the west on I-70, take Exit 44A right (south) on I675.
Drive 3 miles to Exit 22 left (east) to OH 235 (Xenia Drive).
Drive 7 miles to US 68 and turn right (south) and zero your odometer.
Distances below are in miles.
0.5 - Turn left (east) on Brush Row Road.
3.7 - Turn right (south) on Wilberforce Clifton Road.
4.4 – Turn left (west) on US 42.
4.7 – Turn right (north) into parking lot of national monument, next to large house.
From the east on I-70, take Exit 108 left (west) to I-270.
Drive 22 miles to Exit 55 right (west) to I-71.
Drive 36 miles to Exit 65 right (north) on US 35.
Drive 14 miles and turn right (north) on North Bickett Road.
Drive 1.5 miles and turn left (west) on US 42.
Drive 0.7 mile and turn right (north) into parking lot.
Parking: Measured UTM coordinates are {zone 17S 252182 Easting 4399247 Northing},
corresponding to (39.70712° N, 83.89068° W) using the WGS84 datum throughout.
Key points along the hike:
From the paved parking lot, inspect the high ground around the home and especially
between the parking lot and US 42. Turn your eyes to the west and notice a distinct
rise in the field about 1,000 feet from the house. Walk directly there.
US 42 is busy with speeding vehicles which appear quickly over rises in the highway.
High ground: Measured UTM coordinates are {zone 17S Easting 252027 Northing 4399243},
corresponding to (39.70704° N, 83.89248° W) using the WGS84 datum throughout.
About the park:
This site of 60 acres was recently converted from national historic landmark status
to national monument and is being developed. It centers around Youngsholm,
the home of Charles Young, the highest ranking black officer at the onset of
World War I. Park boundaries have not been confirmed, although land slopes down
to the north and east.
The house was empty in 2013, although the caretakers honored my request for a
NPS passport stamp (by SASE), perhaps the least obtained stamp in the NPS system.
Camping and services:
Limited services in Wilberforce and at the interstate exchanges noted above.
Full services are in Xenia.