Chillicothe in Ross County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Chillicothe Gazette

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 21, 2008

1. The Chillicothe Gazette Marker

Inscription. The oldest commercial enterprise in Ohio, the Chillicothe Gazette began publication on April 25, 1800, as Freeman's Journal and Chillicothe Advertiser. That October it became the Scioto Gazette, and Chillicothe has had a Gazette ever since. It is the oldest newspaper in continuous operation west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the second oldest in the United States. Its first publisher and editor, Nathaniel Willis, was a Revolution-era Boston printer who reputedly apprenticed under Benjamin Franklin. Under his leadership the Gazette became one of the most influential papers in the expanding West. It first reported news transmitted by telegraph in 1847 and began daily publication in 1849. The Gazette moved into this building, a replica of Ohio's first statehouse, in 1941.

Erected 2001 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The Chillicothe and Ross County 2003 Commission, The Ross County Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-71.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1972.

Location. 39° 19.966′

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N, 82° 59.034′ W. Marker is in Chillicothe, Ohio, in Ross County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. Marker is in garden to west of Gazette building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 W Main Street, Chillicothe OH 45601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley

and in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

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: Home of Chillicothe Newspapers (here, next to this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (a few steps from this marker); A Replica of Ohio's First Capitol (a few steps from this marker); Donald E. McHenry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio (about 400 feet away); A Stone (about 400 feet away); Court House Renovation (about 400 feet away); The First Baptist Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chillicothe.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 21, 2008

2. The Chillicothe Gazette Marker

Newspaper building is a replica of Ohio's first statehouse.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 24, 2022

3. The Chillicothe Gazette Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,299 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 3, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.