Newark in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John Sparks

Trail Blazer and Frontiersman

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 18, 2008

1. John Sparks Marker

Inscription. As a private in the infantry of the 1st United States Regiment, and during the years 1805 to 1807, John Sparks (1758-1846) acted as guide, scout, and hunter for the two expeditions of Zebulon Pike, which helped to open up largely unknown areas in the headwaters of the Mississippi River and also in the far Southwest to the increasing westward expansion of the United States. Sparks spent his later years living on the north banks of the Licking River, and was often seen walking barefoot around Newark. He died on February 28, 1846, and was buried in this cemetery.

Erected 2003 by Newark Bicentennial Commission and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 14-45.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1898.

Location. 40° 6.314′ N, 82° 25.555′ W. Marker is in Newark, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker is at the intersection of Mount Vernon Road (Ohio Route 13) and Gregory Drive, on the right when traveling north on Mount Vernon Road. Marker and cemetery

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

are east of railroad track. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1821 Mt Vernon Rd, Newark OH 43055, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Licking County TB Sanatorium / Licking County Health Department (approx. 1.2 miles away); The History of Licking Memorial Hospital (approx. 3.2 miles away); McCune-Stimson House (approx. 3.4 miles away); "Double Arrow" Wrought Iron Fence (approx. 3.4 miles away); Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building (approx. 3½ miles away); A. H. Heisey Glass (approx. 3½ miles away); Architectural Artifact from The Old Home, 1914 (approx. 3½ miles away); Jewett Interurban Car Company (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.

More about this marker. This marker is easy to see along Ohio Route 13 (Mount Vernon Road), but it is difficult to access closely. Your GPS will probably lead you to a private driveway off Route 13 north of the Gregory Road intersection, but this driveway is blocked by a gate. Even if there was no gate, this is still not the best access option due to a row of trees and brush between the driveway and the marker.

There is an active railroad track between Route 13 and the marker. The best option to access the marker without crossing the railroad

John Sparks Marker at Hollar Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 18, 2008

2. John Sparks Marker at Hollar Cemetery

Gray headstone behind cemetery entrance is John Sparks grave.

track (unsafe and illegal) is to pull into the private drive and park along the side before the gate, then walk along the railroad track.

John Sparks Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 18, 2008

3. John Sparks Grave Marker

In Hollar Cemetery.

Photographed By Heather Crawford, April 5, 2008

4. John Sparks Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,289 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on September 26, 2022, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on March 29, 2010, by Heather Crawford of Newark, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.