On Johnstown Road (County Route 19) at Possum Street (County Route 23), on the left when traveling south on Johnstown Road.
Knox County Poor Farm
The surrounding 132 acres of land served as the Knox County Poor
Farm (aka Knox County Infirmary and County Home) from 1842 to
1955. The farm was nearly self-sustaining. Able residents grew
their own food, raised . . . — — Map (db m108925) HM
On North Clayton Street just north of East Main Street (U.S. 36), on the right when traveling north.
This mural shows East Main Street on the south side next to the Public
Square (which is now the gazebo park). As early as 1823
Centerburg was a livery stop for the stage coaches traveling from the
north and east to the state capital. In the late . . . — — Map (db m166939) HM
On N. Clayton Street, on the right when traveling north.
This mural depicts the end of North Hartford
Avenue. The arrival of the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus
Railroad in 1873 gave Centerburg an economic boost.
Many local farmers invested heavily to bring the railroad
to the area. It was primarily . . . — — Map (db m166940) HM
On N. Clayton Street, on the right when traveling north.
This scene is the intersection of East Main Street and
Hartford Avenue. For a time in the late 1930's
Centerburg had only one traffic light which was on
a pole in the middle of the street. (Now the center
light of the three current lights). This . . . — — Map (db m166941) HM
On N. Clayton Street, on the right when traveling north.
This mural shows the corner of East Main Street and
North Clayton Street. For many years this site was part
of the public square. In the early 1920's a "filling
station” for the "machines” was built on the corner since
cars were . . . — — Map (db m166943) HM
On Main Street (U.S. 36) at Clayton Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
A descendent of Knox County’s earliest pioneers, Confederate Brigadier General Daniel Harris Reynolds was born just three miles west of Centerburg in 1832. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, where he became a close friend of Otho . . . — — Map (db m59460) HM
On Johnsonville Road (Ohio Route 314) at Columbus Road (U.S. 36), on the left when traveling north on Johnsonville Road.
1917-1919: Meuse-Argonne • Ypers-Lys • St. Mihiel
1940-1945: Solomon Islands • Manila • Northern Luzon
1952-1954: Camp Polk-Korea
Centerburg Community Memorial Park
On June 3, 1945 Gov. Frank J. Lausche dedicated this . . . — — Map (db m184264) HM WM
On North Clayton Street north of East Main Street (Route 36), on the right when traveling south.
This 1300 lb. bell was made in Hillsboro Ohio in 1882 purchased by Hilliar Twp. trustees in 1891 erected by Centerburg V.F.D. Oct. 20, 1972 — — Map (db m166937) HM
On Cherry Alley, on the right when traveling west.
To commemorate Knox County's first election on April 4, 1808
and the location of voting for the Village of Centerburg and Hilliar
Township from 1860 to 1884. The large building in the background
above, stood at the back of the southwest corner of . . . — — Map (db m166947) HM
On Yankee Street east of Ohio Route 13, on the left when traveling east.
This starred line marks the crossing in Knox County of the Greenville Treaty Line as surveyed by Israel Ludlow between 1797 and 1799; that part running from near Fort Laurens in the eastern part of the state, to a point near Fort Recovery, thence . . . — — Map (db m17478) HM
On Waterford Road (County Route 6) 0.1 miles north of Yankee Street (County Route 55), on the right when traveling north.
Greenville Treaty Line | Organized 1797
The starred line marks the
crossing of Knox County of the
Greenville Treaty Line as
surveyed by Israel Ludlow between
1797 and 1799; that part running
from near Fort Laurens in the
eastern part . . . — — Map (db m77401) HM
On Levering Drive south of Mt Gilead Road (Ohio Route 95), on the right when traveling south.
The blue corduroy jacket worn by
members is a widely recognized symbol
of the National FFA Organization,
formerly Future Farmers of America. In
1933, Dr. J.H. “Gus” Lintner, a Fredericktown
teacher and advisor to the local FFA . . . — — Map (db m131884) HM
On East College Street east of North Main Street (Ohio Route 95), on the left when traveling east.
Owned & operated by John Jones, Sr., the theatre
opened in 1917. It was named for Mr. Jones' son, Neil,
who died in the flu epidemic of 1918. The theatre was
forced to close in 1954 due to the popularity of TV. — — Map (db m247634) HM
On East College Street at North Pleasant Street, on the right when traveling east on East College Street.
Entered 1976 as national historic site
[Second plaque] This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places
Tuttle House circa 1840 — — Map (db m247504) HM
On North Main Street (Ohio Route 95) at East Sandusky Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
Webb C. Ball was a native of the Fredericktown area before opening his jewelry store in Cleveland, Ohio. After a tragic railroad accident in Kipton, Ohio, in 1891, Ball was contracted by the railroad to standardize the time of 125,000 miles of . . . — — Map (db m131885) HM
On Meadow Lane at Kokosing Gap Trail, on the right when traveling north on Meadow Lane.
This 0-6-0 switcher locomotive and tender were built by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) of Schenectady, N.Y., for the Alabama State Docks Commission in November 1940. Road number 63 was used to switch cargo at the docks in Mobile, Ala. . . . — — Map (db m13872) HM
On Meadow Lane at Kokosing Gap Trail, on the right when traveling south on Meadow Lane.
The humble caboose was a fixture on the end of freight trains for more than a century. It has been called by many slang names including crummy, shack, shanty and cabin car. A caboose provided a sheltered vantage point from which trainmen could watch . . . — — Map (db m13874) HM
On Quarry Chapel Rd (County Route 235) at Monroe Mills Rd (County Route 233), on the right when traveling east on Quarry Chapel Rd.
The stone masons brought from England by
Bishop Chase to construct the early buildings at
Kenyon College settled in this area. In the
1850’s with the help of Episcopal Bishop
Gregory T. Bedell, they and other families in
the community built . . . — — Map (db m94916) HM
On North College Road, 0.2 miles south of West Wiggin Street (Route 308), on the left when traveling south.
Born in Ashland County in 1819, Lorin Andrews studied at Kenyon College (1838-41) and achieved renown as an Ohio school superintendent and advocate for public elementary and secondary education. As Kenyon's president beginning in 1854, the . . . — — Map (db m95128) HM
Whoever passes through this gateway should remember David Bates Douglass
A gallant soldier and officer in the War of 1812
A civil engineer of distinction
A teacher of wide experience
who in the years 1841-1844 while president of . . . — — Map (db m13869) HM
On College Road, on the left when traveling south.
This glacial boulder from the Bates Homestead in Columbus, Ohio was given to Kenyon College in 1953 by Fanny Platt Bates Little in memory of her brother Edward Bates son of Judge James Lawrence Bates and grandson of the honorable Alfred . . . — — Map (db m13871) HM
On Meadow Lane at Kokosing Gap Trail, on the right when traveling south on Meadow Lane.
In 1823, Ohio Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase purchased 8,000 acres of what he called the “beauty spot” of Knox County. Here, he founded Kenyon College, the first men's college west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the second oldest . . . — — Map (db m13873) HM
In grateful memory of
George Wharton Marriott of London
One of the earliest and most devoted of the English friends of Kenyon College.
Through him Bishop Chase knew Lord Kenyon, Doctor Gaskin and Lady Rosse.
In his honor these . . . — — Map (db m13868) HM
On Wiggin Street (Ohio Route 308) at Ward Street, on the left when traveling east on Wiggin Street.
In 1938 the president of Kenyon College, Gordon Keith Chalmers, brought one of the nation's most distinguished poets and critics, John Crowe Ransom, to the Gambier Hill. Chalmers brought Ransom to Kenyon College to create a distinguished literary . . . — — Map (db m13866) HM
On Wiggin Street (Ohio Route 308) at Chase Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Wiggin Street.
The state's oldest private institution of higher education, Kenyon College was founded in 1824 in Worthington by Philander Chase, first Episcopal bishop of Ohio, and relocated to Gambier four years later. Both college and village are named for . . . — — Map (db m13867) HM
On Newcastle Road (Ohio Route 229), on the right when traveling south.
Along with abundant wildlife and tranquil beauty, the banks of State Scenic Kokosing River
reveal stories of our past.
A River Sentinel: the Sycamore Tree
Sycamore trees are fixtures along rivers. Their noble white branches
extend from . . . — — Map (db m166944) HM
Near Station Road south of Coshocton Avenue (U.S. 36).
Stone Arch at Howard, Ohio. The arch at Howard, built in 1874, is a bridge for U.S. Route 36 over the old Cleveland, Mt. Vernon, and Delaware Railroad bed, a part of the Kokosing Gap Trail. Samuel Israel, Sr. (1810-1889) sold the right to quarry . . . — — Map (db m154402) HM
On Wooster Road (Ohio Route 3), on the left when traveling north.
Greene Ville Treaty Line
Surveyed by Israel Ludlow, 1797- 1799
The southern boundary of Ashland County is a portion
of the original Greene Ville Treaty. The line was
established at the Treaty of Greene Ville signed August 3,
1795 by . . . — — Map (db m77342) HM
On Wally Road (County Route 211), on the left when traveling south.
Greenville Treaty Line / Organized 1797
The starred line marks the
crossing of Knox County of the
Greenville Treaty Line as
surveyed by Israel Ludlow between
1797 and 1799; that part running
from near fort Laurens in the
eastern part . . . — — Map (db m77337) HM
On North Market Street/Millersburg Road (U.S. 52/62) at Mechanic Street (Ohio Route 586), on the right when traveling south on North Market Street/Millersburg Road.
This property
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m247783) HM
On North Main Street at East Sugar Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
In 1834 we began as an anti-slavery church working with
others to oppose slavery and help courageous Black
Americans escape slavery on the Underground Railroad
as it ran through Mount Vernon. We continue to seek
justice and love kindness. We . . . — — Map (db m247679) HM
Near Coshocton Avenue (U.S. 36) 0.1 miles west of County Road 8, on the left when traveling west.
Through blurred eyes we find the strength and courage to soar beyond the moment.
We look to the future knowing we can never forget the past.
God Bless America — — Map (db m94955) WM
On Public Square at East High Street, on the left when traveling north on Public Square.
The Civil War Monument that is the focal point of Mount Vernon's Public Square was designed by Henry B. Curtis.
In 1863, a group of young women created the Young Ladies' Union League, whose mission was to erect a monument to honor those who . . . — — Map (db m205889) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 3) near High Street (U.S. 36), in the median.
(south face)
“Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”
In grateful appreciation of the Patriotism and selfsacrifice of the lamented sons and soldiers of Knox Co. who for their Country and for freedom, laid down their lives in the . . . — — Map (db m12727) HM
On Public Square at West High Street, on the left when traveling south on Public Square.
As 10,000 people gathered on Mount Vernon's town square on May 1, 1863, Clement Laird Vallandigham, a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, spoke. Whether his words were that of a traitor to the North, or someone . . . — — Map (db m205893) HM
Near Columbus Road (County Road 80) south of South Main Street (State Route 13), on the right when traveling south.
Daniel Decatur Emmett was a
Mount Vernon born musician and
song writer who defined a
generation and either wrote or
“borrowed” a song that became
the unofficial national anthem of
the Confederate States of
America.
Born in 1815, just ten . . . — — Map (db m247760) HM
On North Main Street south of West Hamtramck Street, on the right when traveling south.
Dr. Frank Carter Larimore was
the creator of the first “hospital”
in Mount Vernon.
During the Civil War, Mr.
Larimore served in Ohio infantry
brigades. War injuries rendered
Mr. Larimore unable to work as a.
farmer after the war. He . . . — — Map (db m247648) HM
On Howard Street at South Gay (Ohio Route 13), on the left when traveling west on Howard Street.
E.R. Roach Industries was a small
Mount Vernon manufacturing
business that operated in the
1940s-1950s. Elmer R. Roach, the
owner, was awarded his first
patent on April 2, 1945, for an
original design of a toy metal race
car. Roach opened his . . . — — Map (db m247757) HM
On Public Square (Ohio Route 3) at West High Street (U.S. 36), in the median on Public Square.
Ellamae Simmons, M.D. (1918-2019). Ellamae Simmons, born and raised in Mount Vernon, became the first African American woman physician to specialize in asthma, allergy, and immunology in the country. Graduating in the top of her high school . . . — — Map (db m184225) HM
On North Main Street at West Sugar Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
The building before you was built in
1868, but the story of The First
Congregational Church of Christ in
Mount Vernon began in 1834.
The values of the Church founders
included their position against
slavery. The church members felt it
was . . . — — Map (db m247655) HM
On Public Square (U.S. 36) at West High Street (U.S. 36), on the right when traveling north on Public Square.
Called the one person who had the greatest influence on shaping Mount Vernon, Henry Curtis moved here at age 17, to study law with his older brother. He had only 25 cents in his pocket.
Among the more active citizens in 19th Century Mount . . . — — Map (db m205892) HM
On Gambier Street at Main Street (Ohio Route 229), on the right when traveling east on Gambier Street.
Jane Payne, M.D. (1825-1882). Dr. Jane Payne's family migrated from Bristol, England in 1825. Her father Henry served as an Episcopal priest in Ohio, finally settling in Mount Vernon. Although her sight was impaired and she was challenged by . . . — — Map (db m157851) HM
On Phillips Street at Main Street (Ohio Route 13) when traveling east on Phillips Street.
This is the site of Johnny Appleseed's earliest known recorded landholdings. Appleseed (whose legal name was John Chapman) purchased two parcels from Joseph Walker on September 14, 1809: Mount Vernon town lot 147, upon which you stand, and lot 145, . . . — — Map (db m13875) HM
On East High Street (U.S. 36) east of North Gay Street, on the left when traveling east.
The first structure to serve as the
Knox County Courthouse was a
simple fifteen by eighteen foot,
dirt-floored, log building erected
about 1808.
One of the later court houses was
destroyed by a major storm that
ruined the roof and . . . — — Map (db m247683) HM
On Martinsburg Road (Ohio Route 586) 0.2 miles south of Ames Street, on the right when traveling north.
Lakeholm was built as the home of Columbus Delano while serving as Secretary of the Interior under President Ulysses S. Grant from 1870 to 1875. Delano (1809-1896) came to Mount Vernon in 1817, attended public schools, studied law, and was admitted . . . — — Map (db m13884) HM
On Lower Gambier Road (County Route 262) at Mount Vernon Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Lower Gambier Road.
Named for the Native Americans who first dwelled here along both sides of the Kokosing River, the Little Indian Fields is adjacent to the site of the first white settlement of Knox County. Early white inhabitants of this land were Andrew and . . . — — Map (db m18747) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 3) at High Street (U.S. 36), in the median on Main Street.
Mary Ann Ball was born in this vicinity in 1817 and began her nursing career at age 20. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Mary at the age of 45 went to the soldiers' aid. Ignoring rank, protocol, and allegiance, she pursued fearlessly and with . . . — — Map (db m12723) HM
On Public Square near North Main Street (Ohio Route 3), on the left when traveling west.
Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke was born near Mount Vernon, but traveled more than most women of her time. No stranger to death, she saved countless lives as a nurse during the Civil War.
After the death of her own infant daughter, she commuted to . . . — — Map (db m205887) HM
A Nation that
honors it’s Veterans is
a nation dedicated
to preservation
of a freedom won
by the sacrifice of life
itself. These emblems
are appropriately
dedicated to the valiant
dead of the armed
forces who ventured far, . . . — — Map (db m94957) WM
On South Mulberry Street (Ohio Route 13) just south of West High Street (U.S. 36), on the right when traveling south.
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, the lone religious property within the Mt. Vernon Downtown Historic District, served what became only the second African American congregation in the city. The cornerstone for 13 South Mulberry Street was laid October 17, . . . — — Map (db m184227) HM
On South Mulberry Street (Ohio Route 13) just south of West High Street (U.S. 36), on the right when traveling south.
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church is a cozy white place of worship at 13 South Mulberry Street. The small congregation of Mt. Cavalry was traditionally made up of African-Americans.
The building's Gothic Revival style gives it a Middle Ages charm. . . . — — Map (db m184245) HM
On Neil Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Pittsburgh Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
This historic chimney is the highest structure in Knox County and has been a landmark for residents and air traffic since completion. The PPG plant shuttered in 1976 and the chimney ended its useful life and has now been repurposed for the enjoyment . . . — — Map (db m247781) HM
On South Main Street, on the left when traveling north.
The South Main Plaza project was completed in the Spring of 2020.
This re-imagined gathering space is part of the rejuvination of
downtown Mount Vernon's Historic Buisness District bringing
new energy and vitality to the community.
The . . . — — Map (db m205950) HM
On Wooster Avenue (Ohio Route 3) at North Main Street, on the right when traveling south on Wooster Avenue.
The 3-C Highway (State Route 3
in Mount Vernon) is a road that
runs from Cleveland through
Columbus and then on to
Cincinnati.
When completed in 1930, it was
one of the first paved roads in
Ohio, making it a big
improvement for Ohio's . . . — — Map (db m247636) HM
On Howard Street at South Gay Street (Ohio Route 13), on the right when traveling east on Howard Street.
The Buckeye Candy Company/
Kelser Dowds Building is located
between Howard Street and the
Kokosing River. Built in
1910-1911, it was constructed of
reinforced cement and steel,
which made it fireproof.
It was one of the first-buildings . . . — — Map (db m247756) HM
On Public Square, on the left when traveling east.
The Cooper Fountain, located on
the town square of Mount
Vernon, was donated by Charles
Cooper in 1883. Charles and
Elias Cooper founded the Cooper
ironworks, which evolved from
making iron plows and other
tools to manufacturing . . . — — Map (db m205891) HM
On East Vine Street at South Gay Street, on the right when traveling east on East Vine Street.
Mount Vernon has been home to at
least nine newspapers over the last
two hundred years, including five
that had the word “Republican” in
the name.
The Republican Newspaper was
founded by William H. Cochran in
1898. Typical daily . . . — — Map (db m247753) HM
On South Main Street (Ohio Route 229) south of East Vine Street, on the right when traveling north.
Rising from slavery in the South to the stages of Ohio opera houses, members of the Snowden family entertained people across America.
The family's father, Thomas, was a slave in the early 1800s, and their mother Ellen, was a "House servant." . . . — — Map (db m205949) HM
Near Columbus Road (County Road 80) south of South Main Street (State Route 13), on the right when traveling south.
The Viaduct is located on South
Main Street, at the edge of
downtown Mount Vernon. It was
built over the Kokosing River in
1892 and was rehabilitated in
1969.
The stone arch viaduct replaced a
wooden bridge that had years of
damage from . . . — — Map (db m247758) HM
On High Street (U.S. 36) at Public Square, on the left when traveling east on High Street.
On May 1, 1863, Peace Democratic Party leader Clement L. Vallandigham spoke to 10,000 people from this spot. Vallandigham's party, known by their opponents as "Copperheads," opposed the Civil War as an encroachment on both individuals' and . . . — — Map (db m12726) HM
On Coshocton Road (U.S. 36), on the left when traveling west.
Veterans
Avenue of Flags
Flying in Memory of:
Algire, Dean WWII • Huffman, Howard WWI
Algire, Roger Vietnam • Kadey, Kingsley WWII
Awwiller, Donald M. WWII • Kepple, John WWII
Awwiller, Josephine WWII • Kerr, Wilson E. WWII . . . — — Map (db m94953) WM
On East High Street (U.S. 36) just east of Spice Alley, on the right when traveling west.
In recognition of
the patriotism of
the people of
Knox County
who oversubscribed their
War Savings Quota in 1918
this tablet is
gratefully erected by the
Ohio War Savings Committee — — Map (db m205937) HM
On West Ohio Avenue at Walnut Alley, on the left when traveling west on West Ohio Avenue.
Wayman Chapel was dedicated in 1874 as part of Ohio’s Third District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first Black church in Knox County, it began in 1870 under the guidance of Rev. James A. Ralls. The congregation met in local homes . . . — — Map (db m247534) HM
On South Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Woodward Opera House is a
place to experience Mount Vernon's
cultural history.
The Woodward Opera House is
America's oldest authentic
nineteenth century theater still
standing to this day. The theater was
the vision of Dr. . . . — — Map (db m205947) HM