Area history to be revisited Standing at the site of the old Ball Hill Methodist Church in Democrat Township are (l - r) Mark Smith, Phyllis Porter and Irma Cook. Porter will speak at the site at 7 p.m. Friday. Smith will then conduct a history walk in the adjoining cemetery. Cook is the secretary of the cemetery board. Photo provided Ball Hill Cemetery in southeastern Carroll County is the site of a history walk to be offered at 7 p.m. July 18. Many in the area feel a special bond to the cemetery and the old Methodist church that used to stand there.

Mark Smith, a researcher of Carroll County history, will narrate the walk. He will speak of the genealogies of a half dozen families, plus tell of the general pioneer migration patterns that settled the area. He is particularly fond of several colorful stories from generations past. He once lived in the area with his family.

Ball Hill Cemetery is located approximately two miles east of Cutler on County Road 550S between 225E and 300E.

Phyllis Porter, president of the Carroll County Historical Society, will also speak about the development of an oral history project.

The Methodist Episcopal church had its first meetings in the area in 1836. Over the years at least two buildings occupied the site. The last Ball Hill Methodist Church was razed in 1965.

Phyllis Smith and Eileen Smith will speak briefly about the church. The two women were members of the church a half century ago and will share some memories. Phyllis left the area before the church was abandoned by the regional organization of the Methodist Conference in 1965. Eileen still has distinct memories of the building being razed by fire.

Mark Smith, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the area, said, "I hope to start something. I want to see more people connect with their family genealogy and let others know what they find." He would like to see more such walks given at the Ball Hill Cemetery.

The walk is open to the public. For more information, call Mary Blue at the Wildcat Creek Bed & Breakfast, (765) 268- 2189. To get to Ball Hill, go east from Cutler on CR 500S to CR 225E, drive south one half mile to CR 550S, then east three-tenths of a mile.