Historic National Road - Ohio
Historic National Road - Middle Ohio
| Departure: | West Jefferson, Ohio |
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| Destination: | Flint Ridge State Memorial, Ohio |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Visit natures best as you drive though parks and walk through an arboretum. Man made wonders can be found right along with the natural. You will drive through a historic town, examine a Mound builders earthen work, and learn at a state memorial dedicated to the prehistoric people of Ohio.
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Start: West Jefferson
The village of West Jefferson is an historic pike town with a vibrant Main Street that offers attractive architecture, shopping, and visitor services. An annual Labor Day Ox Roast is held each September and offers food, games, and entertainment.
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Stop 1: Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park
Directions from previous place: Go north on S. Walnut St. and turn right onto E. Main St. Turn right onto Darby Creek Dr. Follow this road until you get to the park.
Distance from Previous Site: 6 miles / 9.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes The park has several trails, including one for pets, and offers other activities such as hiking, picnicking, nature and history programs, canoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, hunting and fishing.
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Stop 2: Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Directions from previous place: Go north on Darby Creek Dr. for 3 miles. Turn right onto W. Broad St and follow it for 15 miles. Turn right onto US 40 and follow it for 5.2 miles. Turn right onto Mcnaughten Rd. Turn left onto E. Livington Ave. until you get to the park.
Distance from Previous Site: 26.63 miles / 42.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 57 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes This metro park located in Columbus is a getaway for anyone who enjoys nature and recreation. Activities that are available here include a four-mile trail, picnic facilities, nature center, a golf course, and cross-country skiing.
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Stop 3: Buckeye Lake State Park
Directions from previous place: Go east on E. Livingston Ave. and turn left when you get to Graham Rd. Follow this road until you get to US 40 and turn right onto it. Follow US 40 for 14 miles and then turn right onto Lancaster Rd. Turn left onto Walnut Rd. and then right onto Millersport Rd. Turn left when you come to Leibs Island Rd and you are in the park.
Distance from Previous Site: 20.17 miles / 32.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 33 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes The park is Ohio's oldest state park. This spot is popular for vacations and offers endless water-related activities: swimming, skiing, boating and fishing.
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Stop 4: Dawes Arboretum
Directions from previous place: Go northwest on Leibs Island Rd and turn right at Millerspot Rd. Turn left onto Walnut Rd. Turn right onto Lancaster Rd. and right again onto US 40. Follow US 40 for 6.3 miles and turn left onto Jacksontown Rd. Continue on this road until you see the Arboretum.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.55 miles / 20.1 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 23 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes Dawes Arboretum is a surviving section of the Eastern Ohio forest, and now provides wonderful recreation for visitors. The place contains a modern visitor center, three driving tours, and eight walking trails.
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Stop 5: Moundbuilders Earthworks
Directions from previous place: Go north on Jacksontown Rd. for 4 miles. Turn left onto Hopewell Dr. This road will turn into Parkview Dr. Follow the road until you get to the Earthworks museum.
Distance from Previous Site: 5.65 miles / 9.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes The mounds were built by the Hopewell culture about 2000 years ago. There are three main mounds the Circle, Octagon, and Wright mounds. There is also a museum available to learn more about the Hopewell and their mounds.
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End: Flint Ridge State Memorial
Directions from previous place: Go east on Parkview Dr. Turn right onto Jacksontown Rd. and follow it for 5.5 miles. Turn left onto US 40 and go 8.3 miles. Turn left onto Brownsville Rd. and follow it to the memorial.
Distance from Previous Site: 18.47 miles / 29.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 33 minutes This memorial site, located north of Brownsville, has a museum that interprets the region's prehistory. A system of walking trails wind through a series of open prehistoric flint quarries located on the site.
