Who Built Poland's Cairn"

Dec/10/09 02:18 PM Filed in: Place
Seeking answers to Poland’s heap of stones.


First, I must tell you about the word “cairn” (pronounced karn). It is a heap of stones built as a monument or landmark and can be found in every country in the world. From the beginning of time the human race acquired the habit of collecting stones and piling them together. It probably started when a cave man died and his family covered the body with stones to prevent animals from disturbing the body.

Now let’s look at the cairn in Poland, Ohio. (see photo) It stands 200 feet south of Nesbitt Street and on what would be the north boundary line of South Main Street (aka Poland-Pittsburgh Rd.). It also marks the Poland Village Limits.

I must confess that I moved to Poland in 1955 and it wasn’t until the summer of 2009 that I noticed this cairn which measured 30 inches at the base and is 7 feet tall. Talking to other Poland residents who have lived in the village much longer, they all look puzzled when told of the cairn and confess that they have not noticed it. It is a mystery how something that large becomes invisible. Perhaps, we are watching the traffic light in the center of the Nesbitt intersection and our eyes are distracted from what is standing only a few feet from the side of the road.

The greater mystery is who built the Poland Cairn and when was it erected. History books do not tell us and long time residents of Poland shake their heads when asked. Do you know the answers?
Please help me solve this mystery so that I can sleep at night.

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