HISTORY OF THE GRAY WOLF IN DAYTON, OHIO
For centuries, the indigenous peoples of the Americas depicted the wolf in their art and stories. Most often, the painting or story displayed wolf and human joined as one powerful creature. In some legends, the wolf is given healing powers and in others the wolf saved the people from the great flood. Many Native Americans believed in man’s brotherhood with the wolf.
Not so long ago, wolves roamed nearly all of the United States including the Dayton area. Wolf Creek is a 19.8-mile-long tributary of the Great Miami River in southwestern Ohio. It rises in western Montgomery County passing through the center of Trotwood and joining the Great Miami in downtown Dayton. Wolf Creek was named for the frequent Gray Wolves seen there in pioneer days.
Wolves were historically a vital member of Ohio’s eco system. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Gray Wolf may be on its way to recovery. There are no known prowling wolves in Ohio, yet there are some researchers who suggest wolves left their biological footprint on Ohio’s environment. Long live the spirit of the Wolf at GRAYWOLF Golf Club!
