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

Mile Markers

Kirkersville

— One of Several Identical Markers —

Mile Markers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016

1. Mile Markers Marker

Inscription. The Act of Congress in 1806 which authorized the construction of the National Road required that mile markers be placed at regular intervals. These reference points reassured travelers that they were following the correct route. They also indicated the distance traveled and the distance to a destination.

The use of mile markers began in the Roman Empire with the use of stone obelisks. The first Roman mile markers appeared in the fourth century B.C. on the empire’s legendary Appian Way, the road from Rome to Brindisi.

National Road mile markers are set at one mile intervals along the north side of the Road. Each state’s mile markers were a different design, but all displayed the same information. Ohio’s markers were square with round heads, made of an early form of concrete, sandstone or limestone, while in Pennsylvania they were obelisks made of cast iron. Ohio’s five-foot tall markers were set two feet deep into the ground with three feet exposed. Each marker indicated the distance to Cumberland, Maryland, where the Road begins, and the name and mileage to the nearest cities and villages, for east and westbound travelers.

Whether

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the letters or numerals were painted or carved, markers followed a standard pattern of showing at the top the number of miles from the beginning of the Road in Cumberland, Maryland. On the next row, they wrote the name of the next big town and number of miles to it. On the left side of the marker, it would show eastbound travelers the next big town to the east. On the right side, it would show westbound travelers the next big town to the west and the number of miles to go. On the lowest level, there was usually an initial and a small number. This indicated the nearest town. It didn’t need to be spelled out, because most people from the vicinity would recognize it from the initial.

By the 1920’s, a uniform highway numbering system with standardized road signs replaced the old mile markers, but many remain along the Road. See how many you can identify.

Erected by The Ohio National Road Association, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list.

Location. 39° 57.557′ N, 82° 35.777′ W.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016

2. Mile Markers Marker

Mile Marker and Kirkersville marker, side by side

Marker is in Kirkersville, Ohio, in Licking County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 40) and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. There are two (2) markers in front of the Kirkersville United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 West Main Street, Kirkersville OH 43033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kirkersville (here, next to this marker); Outville (approx. 2.4 miles away); Etna (approx. 4½ miles away); Hebron (approx. 4.9 miles away); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3496 Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016

3. Mile Markers Marker

Marker can be seen at a distance

(approx. 4.9 miles away); Conine Homestead (approx. 5.1 miles away); Deep Cut at the Licking Summit / Millersport and the Ohio-Erie Canal (approx. 5.3 miles away); Elwood "Doc" Fahl (approx. 5.6 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Pataskala Elementary School (was approx. 5 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Millersport World War II Memorial (was approx. 5.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional keywords. Old National Road

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016

4. Mile Markers Marker

A restored original mile marker, adjacent

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 2, 2016

5. Mile Markers Marker

Pictures on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.