Campbell Hill: The Highest Point in Ohio and a Landmark of Cold War History

Rising to an elevation of 1,549.09 feet above sea level, Campbell Hill proudly holds the title of the highest natural point in Ohio. Located on the campus of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, this prominent landmark carries not only geological significance but a deep connection to the state’s Cold War-era defense history.

The hill is named after Charles D.

Campbell, a Bellefontaine resident who owned the land from 1898 to 1937. In 1900, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey placed a marble marker at the summit to record its elevation, officially recognizing it as the state’s high point.

In 1951, Campbell Hill took on national importance with the establishment of the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. As part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), the site became a hub for radar surveillance during the Cold War. Operators—both military and civilian—monitored airspace for potential threats using cutting-edge radar and computing systems, relaying their findings to a central NORAD facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. The station remained active until 1969, when changes in national defense strategy led to its closure.

In 1974, the site found new life with the creation of a vocational education center—what is now the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. Today, the hill serves as a place of learning, a point of pride for Logan County, and a destination for hikers, surveyors, and curious travelers wanting to “stand on top of Ohio.”

Visitors can find the historical marker at 2280 OH-540 in Bellefontaine, positioned at the summit within the Ohio Hi-Point campus. The marker honors both the natural distinction of Campbell Hill and its role in American history.