Kirkersville in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mile Markers
Kirkersville
— One of Several Identical Markers —
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016
1. Mile Markers Marker
Inscription.
Mile Markers. Kirkersville. The Act of Congress in 1806 which authorized the construction of the National Road required that mile markers be placed at regular intervals. These reference points reassured travelers that they were following the correct route. They also indicated the distance traveled and the distance to a destination.
The use of mile markers began in the Roman Empire with the use of stone obelisks. The first Roman mile markers appeared in the fourth century B.C. on the empire’s legendary Appian Way, the road from Rome to Brindisi.
National Road mile markers are set at one mile intervals along the north side of the Road. Each state’s mile markers were a different design, but all displayed the same information. Ohio’s markers were square with round heads, made of an early form of concrete, sandstone or limestone, while in Pennsylvania they were obelisks made of cast iron. Ohio’s five-foot tall markers were set two feet deep into the ground with three feet exposed. Each marker indicated the distance to Cumberland, Maryland, where the Road begins, and the name and mileage to the nearest cities and villages, for east and westbound travelers.
Whether the letters or numerals were painted or carved, markers followed a standard pattern of showing at the top the number of miles from the beginning of the Road in Cumberland, Maryland. On the next row, they wrote the name of the next big town and number of miles to it. On the left side of the marker, it would show eastbound travelers the next big town to the east. On the right side, it would show westbound travelers the next big town to the west and the number of miles to go. On the lowest level, there was usually an initial and a small number. This indicated the nearest town. It didn’t need to be spelled out, because most people from the vicinity would recognize it from the initial.
By the 1920’s, a uniform highway numbering system with standardized road signs replaced the old mile markers, but many remain along the Road. See how many you can identify.
The Act of Congress in 1806 which authorized the construction of the National Road required that mile markers be placed at regular intervals. These reference points reassured travelers that they were following the correct route. They also indicated the distance traveled and the distance
to a destination.
The use of mile markers began in the Roman Empire with the use of stone obelisks. The first Roman mile markers appeared in the fourth century B.C. on the empire’s legendary Appian Way, the road from Rome to Brindisi.
National Road mile markers are set at one mile intervals along the north side of the Road. Each state’s mile markers were a different design, but all displayed the same information. Ohio’s markers were square with round heads, made of an early form of concrete, sandstone or limestone, while in Pennsylvania they were obelisks made of cast iron.
Ohio’s five-foot tall markers were set two feet deep into the ground with three feet exposed. Each marker indicated the distance to Cumberland, Maryland, where the Road begins, and the name and mileage to the nearest cities and villages, for east and westbound travelers.
Whether the letters or numerals were painted or carved, markers followed a standard pattern of showing at the top the number of miles from the beginning of the Road in Cumberland, Maryland. On the next
Click or scan to see this page online
row, they wrote the name of the next big town and number of miles to it. On the left side of the marker, it would show eastbound travelers the next big town to the east. On the right side, it would show westbound travelers the next big town to the west and the number of miles to go. On the lowest level, there was usually an initial and a small number. This indicated the nearest town. It didn’t need to be spelled out, because most people from the vicinity would recognize it from the initial.
By the 1920’s, a uniform highway numbering system with standardized road signs replaced the old mile markers, but many remain along the Road. See how many you can identify.
Erected by The Ohio National Road Association, Inc.
Location. 39° 57.557′ N, 82° 35.777′ W. Marker is in Kirkersville, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 40) and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. There are two (2) markers in front of the Kirkersville United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 West Main Street, Kirkersville OH 43033, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016
3. Mile Markers Marker
Marker can be seen at a distance
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016
4. Mile Markers Marker
A restored original mile marker, adjacent
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016
5. Mile Markers Marker
Pictures on the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
