Some farms in Meigs Township, Muskingum County, Ohio were once owned
by members of the Lettt Families Settlement (circa 1823-1950s) and are now part of the Wilds.
The 'Wilds' is one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation
centers in the world. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, it is home to more than 25 species of non-native wildlife
from Africa, Asia and North America and hundreds of indigenous species. In addition to innovative, in-depth science and education
programs, the Wilds offers guided experiences to the public on selected days May through October.
During the early 1960s American Electric Power Corporation began to purchase land for strip
mining coal in Morgan, Muskingum and Noble counties, Ohio. Part
of the purchased property encompasses the Lett Settlement in Meigs Township, Muskingum County.
Over the years, coal was mined using the Big Muskie dragline and many other large machines. The
hills that were strip mined were reclaimed into gently rolling landscape with numerous small lakes. This open area
created over many thousand acres of ideal wildlife habitat.
Sometime in 1980, over 9,000 acres of land was given to create the 'Wilds', an endangered
wildlife species conservatory. A large amount of land was also donated to the state of Ohio and is used for recreational
purposes such as hunting, fishing and camping.