General Information
The OES visited the I-71 Rest Area on August 1, 2004. This abandoned rest area is in far southern Franklin County along I-71 South. Not many facts are known about this rest area. We noticed the gravel path as we drove down I-71 one day and wondered where it lead. Upon our return, we found old cement curbs, a sewer grate, asphalt pavement, and numerous remains of animals. We were not sure what exactly this area was until a topographic map was found naming it a rest area. As of the early 1980s, the rest area appeared to still be in use. The map also showed another rest area on the other side of the freeway as well. It looks like they were abandoned long ago, although we're not sure when. Website visitor Mark Finster wrote in about this rest area, he grew up nearby and remembered when the rest areas were still in use. He recalled that a girl was raped and beaten to death at one of the rest areas, although he's not sure on which side. A couple of other girls were found raped and murdered at various other rest areas, including the scenic view rest area near the bridge over the Little Miami. After the murders, several secluded rest areas, including this one, were closed and destroyed. If anyone has more details about this area, the murders, or photos from when it was still an active rest stop, please email .
 
 Location Information: Abandoned
The rest area is about one mile south of the Orient exit near Harrisburg, Franklin County.
 
 Photographs
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The gravel path to the left going up the hill leads to the old abandoned rest stop.