Jackson in Jackson County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Wesley Powell / Morgan's Raid in Jackson, 1863
Side A: John Wesley Powell (1834-1902)
Scientist and explorer of the American West, John Wesley Powell moved from New York to Jackson with his family in 1838 and lived here until 1846. He developed an early interest in geology from his tutor "Big" George Crookham, a Jackson salt boiler, educator, and abolitionist. Powell served in the Union Army during the Civil War and lost his right arm at Shiloh in 1862. Later he became professor of geology at Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1869, he led a nine-man expedition in the first exploration of the entire length of the Colorado River, providing the first scientific description of the Grand Canyon. Subsequently Powell helped found the U.S. Geological Survey and served as its director from 1881 to 1894.
Side B: Morgan's Raid in Jackson, 1863
Late in the evening of July 16, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan entered Jackson with 2,000 cavalrymen, meeting with no resistence. Finding many townspeople assembled, the raiders took the men as prisoners and held them at the fairground. They then foraged the town at will, taking food and all available horses. The raiders also burned the Cincinnati and Marietta Railroad depot and destroyed the office of The Standard, the Republican newspaper. Morgan made his headquarters at the Isham House, directly across the street from this marker. He continued eastward on the afternoon of July 17. Strongly divided politically during the Civil War, Jackson received no speical consideration by Morgan. Both unionists and “Copperheads” (southern sympathizers) suffered equally.
Erected 2001 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The City of Jackson, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 4-40.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Education • Exploration • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 16, 1828.
Location. 39° 3.131′ N, 82° 38.216′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Ohio, in Jackson County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Ohio Route 93) and Broadway Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Marker is adjacent to the county courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 226 E Main Street, Jackson OH 45640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jackson County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); "Lest We Forget" (a few steps from this marker); Jackson County 9-11 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Jackson County Veterans Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); James A. Rhodes (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Apple Orchards in Jackson County / The Jackson County Apple Festival (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Scioto Salt Licks / The Scioto Salt Works (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.
Also see . . .
1. John Wesley Powell. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Morgan's Raid. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on November 23, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,888 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on September 13, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on November 24, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Better photo of Morgan's Raid side of marker. • Can you help?