Kirkersville

—One of Several Identical Markers —

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 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.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Etna, OH  |  Licking County  |  43018  |  Ohio  |  United States of America

Kirkersville Historical
Outville
Etna Historical
Hebron Historical
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3496 Veterans Memorial
Pataskala Elementary School
Conine Homestead
Deep Cut at the Licking Summit / Millersport and the Ohio-Erie Canal
Hebron
Hebron Mill Historical

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.