About 4 miles northeast of the city of Hamilton’s pretty waterfront and historic downtown, along SR 4, lies the Rentschler Forest Preserve. Enter via Reigart Road for the picturesque canal remnants along the riverbank, from which trails explore the two flat-topped, wooded terraces; the eastern one is the earthwork site.
For shorter access to the earthwork, continue along Route 4 to the next intersection (Rentschler Estates Drive) where there’s a parking lot beside an old barn.

From here, the “Earthwork Trail” skirts a large meadow before entering the forest, where a small ravine appears on the left. Just beyond, a large section of the earthwork appears among the trees on the right. This is the southern wall of the enclosure, and its most distinctive feature remains intact: a 100-foot earthen ring embraced by two arcs, forming an elaborate entranceway; a bench and small sign provide orientation.

The Squier and Davis plan of the Fairfield Township Earthworks, with its distinctive “parentheses and circle” gateway, now in the Rentschler Forest Preserve.

Great Miami Valley

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