Near this site, the Union army established two camps on either side of the Olentangy river during the civil war. 

The First camp, situated on the west side of the river in the summer of 1862, was where the recruits of the 96th and 121st regiments of Ohio Volunteer infantry were mustered into service.

The Second Camp, on the east side of the Olentangy, was established in the summer of 1863.