Ohio Supreme Court Hears Arguments Surrounding Newark Earthworks

Presented by Atomic Speedway

The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday concerning a lawsuit where the Ohio History Connection is seeking imminent domain of the Moundbuilders Country Club in Newark.

The Ohio History Connection wants to take possession of the Octagon Earthworks, which they are leasing to the country club, but want to create into a public park.

The Octagon and seven other earthworks, including Chillicothe’s Hopewell Cultural National Historical Park, are under consideration for designation as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. However, to obtain the designation, the Newark Octagon site cannot be under the control of the country club.

The Ohio History Connection wants to buy out the remaining lease held by the Moundbuilders Country Club, but  the club had declined to negotiate in 2018, which led to the court case for imminent domain. Moundbuilders Country Club lost in a lower court ruling.

The Moundbuilders Country Club currently limits public use access to the site to 4 full days a year and Mondays, or partial Mondays, depending on the season.