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

Smith House & Farm

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016

1. Smith House & Farm Marker

Inscription. Edward Edison Smith was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and arrived in Muskingum County about the same time as his neighbor, Uzal Headley. Smith was a farmer who built a log house near this site and, after the National Road reached Zanesville in 1829, began building a seven-room sandstone tavern (the right “half” of the present building), which he completed in 1830. The sandstone was quarried from a nearby cliff resulting in the house sometimes being referred to as Cliff Rock House. While the nearby Headley Inn served as an inn and tavern, the Smith House more often offered hospitality to drovers (those “driving” livestock on the hoof to market) and teamsters hauling cargo in Conestoga wagons.

The Edward Smith House became a popular stopover for those travelers on the National Road, and in the 1850’s Smith realized the need for additional space. In 1860 his son Alexander completed an addition against the west wall of the original house, doubling its size to the current 16 rooms. When railroads became the transportation of choice, the Smith House ceased to function as an inn and eventually

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became the private residence of E.B. and Gladys Smith Howard, Edward Smith’s great-granddaughter. The 20th century and the advent of the automobile spawned regional and national highway improvements. Through it all, the Smith House and the neighboring Headley Inn have endured while continuing in their roles as historic landmarks and sentinels along America’s first federal highway.

Erected 2013 by The Ohio National Road Association, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list.

Location. 39° 57.192′ N, 82° 5.673′ W. Marker is near Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It is on West Pike (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5255 West Pike, 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

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016

2. Smith House & Farm Marker

Full view of marker

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Headley Inn (here, next to this marker); Nelson T. Gant House (approx. 3½ miles away); Y-Bridge (approx. 4.3 miles away); Zane Grey (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (approx. 4.4 miles away); Muskingum County Medal of Honor Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); Muskingum County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Nelson T. Gant House (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Y-Bridge (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional keywords. Old National Road

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016

3. Smith House & Farm Marker

Marker as seen from a distance, with second marker, the Headley Inn in the background, and National Road mile-marker at the far left

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016

4. Smith House

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2016

5. Smith House & Farm Marker

The Smith house, with a National Road sign in front

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,621 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.