Chillicothe Turnpike facts for kids

The Chillicothe Turnpike was an important early road in the U.S. state of Ohio. It stretched from Painesville in the northeast all the way south to Chillicothe. Chillicothe was a very important city back then, serving as Ohio's state capital twice in the early 1800s.

What Was the Chillicothe Turnpike?

The Chillicothe Turnpike was one of Ohio's first major roads. A "turnpike" was a special kind of road where travelers had to pay a small fee, called a toll, to use it. This money helped pay for building and maintaining the road. These roads were vital for connecting towns and helping people travel and trade goods across the state.

Building the Road

The Chillicothe Turnpike was officially started in 1802. A notable person named Benjamin Tappan helped establish it. Tappan was a lawyer and politician who played a big role in Ohio's early history. He understood how important good roads were for a growing state.

Where Can You Find It Today?

Even though the Chillicothe Turnpike was built over 200 years ago, parts of it still exist! Today, you can find sections of roads named "Chillicothe Road" that follow the original path. These old sections are now part of modern state routes. You can see remnants of the old turnpike along State Route 615, State Route 306, and State Route 43. These roads pass through Lake, Geauga, and Portage counties in Ohio.

Impact on Ancient Sites

Building new roads can sometimes affect historical places. In 1848, two researchers, Ephraim George Squier and Edwin Hamilton Davis, wrote a book called Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. In their book, they mentioned that the construction of the Chillicothe Turnpike unfortunately damaged a part of the Cedar-Bank Works. The Cedar-Bank Works were ancient earthworks built by Native American cultures long ago in Ross County. These earthworks were important historical sites, and the road's construction showed how early development could impact ancient landmarks.

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