Urbana in Champaign County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2008

1. Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad Marker

Inscription. Champaign County residents James [sic-Joseph] Vance (1786-1852) and John H. James (1800-1881) were among the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad's first officers, serving as president and treasurer, respectively. Vance emerged as a leader in the War of 1812 and, in the same year, was elected to public office. In 1836, Vance resigned as president of the railroad to become the twelfth governor of Ohio. Finances for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad were obtained in large measure through the efforts of Urbana resident John H. James, a prominent attorney, politician, and banker. As treasurer, James managed a grant of $200,000 provided by the state with the 1832 charter and other state loans of credit. James became president of the railroad in 1836, serving in a dual capacity of president and treasurer until 1842, when James Vance again became president.

Erected 2007 by West Central Ohio Port Authority and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 27-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 40° 6.513′ N, 83° 45.458′ W. Marker is in Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County. It is at the intersection of Miami Street (U.S. 36) and Railroad Overpass, on the right when traveling west on Miami Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Urbana OH 43078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Johnson Manufacturing Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pennsylvania Railroad Depot (about 700 feet away); The Adam Mosgrove House (approx. 0.2 miles away);

Joseph Vance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2008

2. Joseph Vance

Champaign County World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Fun Fact 4 (approx. ¼ mile away); Francis Bailey (approx. ¼ mile away); Fun Fact 3 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.

John H. James image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2008

3. John H. James

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2008

4. Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad Marker

Looking west along Miami Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,934 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.