History

History of the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station

The 75-acre Rand Dairy Farm was purchased by Paul and Maxine Frohring in 1967, who then presented the land and buildings to Hiram College to develop an area for wildlife studies. The area was originally called the Hiram Biological Station.
The original property had 30 to 40 acres of beech-maple forest with a stream and a bog.
Jack Lashkow donated his collection of wild and domestic fowl to the biological station for study. Thirteen species of wild and domestic geese, 18 varieties of mallards, 18 types of chickens, 21 varieties of pigeons, a group of primitive turkeys and a collection of exotic ducks were in residence at the station.
Students also studied mammals found in neighboring woods and fields, including rodents, foxes and woodchucks.
The emphasis has shifted from animal behavior studies toward outdoor education and field ecology. During the 2008-2009 academic year, a wildlife rehabilitation center was established.
In 2012, Hiram College acquired and restored 152 acres with the collaboration of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, the EPA, the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati and Davey Research Group. The objectives of the restoration were to preserve the wetland habitat stretches of Silver Creek and Eagle Creek for hydrologic and biodiversity benefits, restore a deep channelized part of Eagle Creek and enhance and restore stream and wetland habitats.

Acquisition of Property: Since 1967, the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station has grown seven times its original size. Take a look at how the property has grown: