Morristown

Church Street, one block north, actually pre-dates the National Road and was part of Zane's Trace. Morristown was surveyed and platted by John Zane and William Chapline in 1802. It was named for Duncan Morris, an early tavern keeper and justice of the peace. Morristown was a major stagecoach stop and prospered during the heyday of the National Road, with approximately fifty businesses, including blacksmiths, saddlers, wagon-makers, grocers and hotel operators. Morristown began to decline after 1850 when it was bypassed by the railroad. Today it remains a classic Pike town with numerous brick and frame row-houses typical of eastern cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia. Of particular note is the Black Horse Inn, ca. 1807, located at West and Cross Street and the National Road.

1. Egypt Valley Wildlife Area

Hendrysburg

2. Clark House

3. Old Road Segment

Fairview (Guernsey County)

4. Pennyroyal Opera House

Middlebourne

5. Salt Fork S-Bridge

6. Creighton House

Old Washington

7. 130, 220 and 225 East Main Street

8. Deep Cut

9. Old Road Segment

10. Hyde Hill Tavern

11. Peacock Road

Craig

12. Four Mile Hill/Serpentine Hill

13. Cooks Run Stone Bridge

Download the Guernsey County National Road Historic Brochure [PDF file - 533kb]

Old Washington Invaded

During the Civil War, on July 24, 1863, John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate Cavalry, known as Morgan's Raiders, paused here and scattered throughout the village looking for food. They stopped at The American Hotel (demolished) and while dining were attacked by pursuing Union forces. This was the only Civil War skirmish on the National Road in Ohio. The town cemetery overlooks the village below. A Civil War Marker, "Morgan's Raid in Old Washington," stands near the area where three Confederate soldiers were interred. It is interesting to note that this skirmish took place during the same month and year as the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.