During the drought of August 2025, the water level in Carey’s Run dropped low enough to walk the creekbed from the old Scioto County Infirmary site to the Ohio River. With most of the water gone, the exposed creek revealed a mix of stone, silt, and forgotten debris.
We used the opportunity to explore the length of the creek for fun and exercise, keeping an eye out for bits of the past that may have washed downstream. Pieces of glass, ceramic, metal, and other small objects turned up along the way. Given how close the creek runs to the Infirmary, it’s likely that Careys Run once carried or collected refuse from the site.
This kind of casual mudlarking offers a small but meaningful look into the history of the Careys Run community. The objects found in the creekbed, though ordinary, reflect the habits and material culture of the people who lived and worked nearby. Each fragment of glass or ceramic carries evidence of daily use, disposal, and the passage of time. Together, these small discoveries help connect the present landscape to the everyday lives that once shaped it.
