Dutchman's Breeches
A bronze plaque commemorates Clifton Gorge as a National Natural Landmark which “possesses exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of the United States.” At the first overlook an interpretative sign tells of the creation of the gorge by meltwater from the last glacier. At a bend in the river a little farther along the trail is an overlook recognizing the location of the Patterson Mill. According to the interpretative sign, Robert Patterson, the founder of Lexington, Kentucky, co-founder of Cincinnati, and early settler of Dayton, had built this mill in 1809 to make cotton and wool cloth. This overlook provides an excellent view of the narrows of the gorge. At the “pool overlook” a sign tells of Darnell’s leap. In 1778, a party of men led by Daniel Boone was captured in Kentucky by a band of Shawnee Indians. A few months later Boone managed to escape. Cornelius Darnell, another member of Boone’s party, escaped some time later. The story is told that the Indians gave chase and caught up with him at this spot. Facing certain death by torture, Darnell chose instead to leap the chasm. Although he fell short of the far side, he managed to grasp hold of the trees that mantled the cliffs. From there he climbed to the cliff top and escaped. The Little Miami powered the wheels of frontier industry. A stagecoach road, now part of the Orton Trail, was used to pick up goods from the mills and take them to Cincinnati.
All of the mill industries have vanished except Clifton Mill, which is now also a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. At Christmas, the Mill, a covered bridge, and the surrounding area are lit with three and a half million lights. Although the spring wildflowers won’t peak for another two or three weeks, cute rows of Dutchman’s breeches were blowing in the gentle wind this past Sunday. Clifton Gorge is a gem.
