Near Elizabethtown in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mile Marker

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 2, 2014

1. Mile Marker Marker

Inscription. The earliest highway signs along the National Road (Route 40) in Ohio were milestones located at one-mile intervals along the north side of the roadway. Each stone indicated the distance to Cumberland, Maryland, the eastern terminus of the National Road, and to the nearest cities and villages for both east and westbound travelers.

Visit the National Road Museum at the Norwich exit (65), Interstate 70.

Erected 1973 by The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the The Historic National Road series lists.

Location. 40° 3.8′ N, 81° 0.833′ W. Marker is near Elizabethtown, Ohio, in Belmont County. It is on Interstate 70 at milepost 189, on the right when traveling east. It is at the Elizabethtown eastbound rest area in Ohio, just after Old Washington exit, No. 186. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salesville OH 43778, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically 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 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: Ohio Buckeye Tree (a few steps from this marker); Ohio Native Plants (a few

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steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ohio Native Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the National Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mile Marker (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker is a one-sided marker. The back has no inscription.

Regarding Mile Marker. National Road mile markers were the responsibility of the individual states and each state’s marker was shaped differently and constructed from different materials. All showed the distance from Cumberland and to the nearest city in each direction.

Additional commentary.
1. "M" and "H"
Just guessing,

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 2, 2014

2. Mile Marker Marker

but the "M" on the marker is most likely for Morristown, OH and the "H" is for Hendrysburg, OH.

Editor's Note: If that's the case, the milestone may have been moved from its original location, as Hendrysburg is on the other side of Morristown from the milestone. Certainly possible, as the distance between Hendrysburg and Morristown is about equal to the distances shown on the milestone, and a bit short of the 154 miles to Cumberland, MD. Perhaps a local historian can provide some assistance.

— Submitted January 8, 2011.

National Road Stone Mile Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 22, 2009

3. National Road Stone Mile Marker

This milestone at the base of the historical marker shows 154 miles to Cumberland, 24 miles to Wheeling (to the east) and 50 miles to Zanesville (to the west). National Road milestones in Ohio also showed the distance to the nearest small town, using just the first letter of the town’s name. This milestone was 3½ miles from “M." to the east and 2 miles from "H." to the west.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,111 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 24, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. The names of the towns “M.” and “H.” as shown on the milestone in Photo No. 3. • Can you help?