Several years ago, discovery of caves along the gorge south of camp property, caused considerable interest and comment about the rock formations of the area.  Apparently these caves were found by others more than 100 years ago.  Stories from the Wiswell family indicate that one of these caves was used during the Civil War to hide slaves who were trying to reach Canada by the Underground Railway. 

One of the interesting stories told is about children from a local family who were carrying for to the slaves.  One day they were stopped by some Federal officers who wanted to know what they had in their baskets and where they were going.  They said "We are taking food to our brothers who are working in the woods".  The officers replied "Your brothers must be very hungry".  The girls were afraid they might be followed by the officers, so they changed their route, going by a round-about way to the caves. 

Table Rock

Legends about the 4-H Camp Whitewood Footprint Rock are almost endless.  Footprint Rock, now minus the footprints, have been a famous landmark in the Warner's Hollow and Camp Whitewood area for many years.  What is the true story about Footprint Rock?  Sometime in the late 1800's, a young couple from Orwell, Mr. and Mrs. Will Goddard, were picnicking at Warner's Hollow.  Mr., Goddard had his wife stand barefooted on a wet cloth, then on the rock.  He drew around the wet prints with a pencil and then, with a small mallet and chisel, made the realistic footprints.  Residents in the Orwell and Windsor areas in the 1800's generally were aware of the origin of the footprints. 

Footprint Rock, back in the mid-1800's, was as high as the adjoining bank and historical records indicate that a rustic bridge extended from the bank to the rock.  Operators of stone quarries near Windsor Mills quarried off the top of the rock to its present level.  In those days, more than 100 years ago, the rock was called "Little Mountain".  Later it was named "Table Rock" and now more recently "Footprint Rock". 

About 1950, someone decided they wanted the footprints from the rock.  They were chiseled out of the rock and stolen, a reward was offered for their return by Mr. Tom White.  As a result of this reward, the individual taking the footprints returned them, the reward was donated to the camp, and the footprints are now kept at camp headquarters. 

One of several covered bridges in Ashtabula County is located on Wiswell Road just south of US Route 322.  Because of the many rock ledges, the early settlers were unable to cross Phelps Creek at this point.  These stalwart citizens of New England descent saw a need for a bridge at this strategic spot. 

Records indicate that the covered bridge was built in 1867 by  residents in the community for easy access to and from Windsor Mills to areas to the south.  Covered bridges were commonly built in the early 19th century throughout Ohio and the United States.  Timber was plentiful and of good quality and there was a class of skilled workmen who were able to select the right materials, design the bridges and do an excellent job of building.  There are two explanations for the covers on the bridges.  One is that the covers were for the protection of the floor from the weather: the other for the protection of the traveler form the weather when overtaken by storms.  They would hurry their horses to find shelter in the bridge since houses were miles apart. 

Sometimes the covered bridges were also referred to as "kissing bridges" and "wishing bridges".  the sides and ends were convenient for notices of sales and of church affairs plus other items of general interest to the community.  Across the top of many bridges was the characteristic notice "Walk you horses" because some of the floor boards were usually loose and might frighten the horses. 

In early 1972, this historical bridge was deemed unsafe for vehicle traffic.  Rather than destroy it and replace it with another structure, the Highway Department elected to re-route the road an save the bridge.  A a result of fundraising efforts by 4-H members in northeast Ohio and a historical grant form the State of Ohio, the bridge was restored with a new roof, new siding and necessary support structures in 1979.  It is now maintained for foot traffic only with the path from the re-routed road up to 4-H Camp Whitewood.  Its historic value has been preserved for use by 4-H campers and others in the area. 

For many years, artists and photographers throughout northeastern Ohio have considered this particular covered bridge a picturesque landmark.  Looking at the bridge from the stream bank below, one will see at least three different types of masonry used through the years plus the very careful construction by early builders who used the cut stone and then finally the concrete of recent years.  Photographs and artists' pictures of the bridge from the stream bank are one of the more popular covered bridge pictures in eh entire state of Ohio.