Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

1817

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

1. 1817 Marker

Inscription. The American Colonization Society is founded with the goal of resettling freed slaves outside of the United States. This leads to the founding of Liberia on the west coast of Africa. Zanesville and Putnam will soon establish their own society, serving both towns.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 39° 55.904′ N, 82° 0.406′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It can be reached from Putnam Avenue north of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 456 Putnam Ave, Zanesville OH 43701, 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: 1822 (here, next to this marker); 1814 (here, next to this marker); 1808 (here, next to this marker); 1831 (here, next to this marker); 1833 (here, next to this marker); 1807 (here, next to this marker); 1802 (here, next to this marker); 1834 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

Also see . . . Another Approach to the Race Problem: The Muskingum County Emigrating Association (.pdf). <blockquote>The stories of the Underground Railroad and the Abolition movement are important parts of Muskingum County history. Less frequently discussed is the American Colonization Society and

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its local chapter. (Submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Putnam Underground Railroad Interpretive Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

2. Putnam Underground Railroad Interpretive Center

This marker is part of a timeline recounting the steps in Muskingum County leading to emancipation and the abolition of slavery.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.