Near Stockport in Morgan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Two Riverboat Pilots

— One of Many Points of Interest on the Muskingum River Parkway —

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 9, 2010

1. Two Riverboat Pilots Marker

close up, showing text

Inscription. In the heyday of steamboating on the Muskingum, many people made their livelihood on the river. Jane McMillan, known as Old Jane, was one of the few women reported to have piloted boats on the river. In the 1840s she was co-owner of the "Zanesville Packet." McMillan worked a variety of jobs, from cook to pilot. She was reported to know the twists and turns of the river so well that she could navigate safely at night, something many pilots refused to do.

Isaac Newton Hook, a descendant of the earliest settlers in Zanesville, used skills he learned on the Muskingum River as a pilot on the Mississippi during the Civil War. He shipped supplies needed by the Union army. His tomb is in the Brick Church cemetery between Hooksburg and Stockport. He had the grave built out of concrete and above the level of the 1898 flood. The 1913 flood submerged the tomb, but it survived and can be viewed to this day.

Erected 1997 by Muskingum River Parkway the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-58.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 39° 32.843′

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N, 81° 47.285′ W. Marker is near Stockport, Ohio, in Morgan County. Marker is on Broadway Street (Ohio Route 266), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in park area along canal lock #6 on Muskingum River, accessed under the St Rt 266 bridge, from a drive (Stockport Lock Rd.) off St Rt 376. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2120 Stockport Lock Rd, Stockport OH 43787, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Underground Railroad (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Stockport Mill (about 700 feet away); Stockport (about 700 feet away); Big Bottom Massacre (approx. 0.8 miles away); Brick Church and Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Water Power on the Muskingum River (approx. 3.7 miles away); Quaker Meeting House (approx. 5.8 miles away); Maple Grove Farm (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stockport.

Additional keywords. Muskingum River Parkway

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 9, 2010

2. Two Riverboat Pilots Marker

full view of marker St Rt 266 bridge is visible, and upper gate of lock #2

Two Riverboat Pilots Marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 9, 2010

3. Two Riverboat Pilots Marker site

marker can be seen in the distance

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 9, 2010

4. Lock #2

lower lock gate, looking downstream (south) on the Muskingum River

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on January 27, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.