Mad River Road facts for kids
Mad River Road was a very important road in early Ohio history. It was the first land route that connected the towns of Dayton, Ohio and Cincinnati, Ohio. This road was built in 1795 by a man named Daniel C. Cooper. His goal was to create a way for people to reach the new town of Dayton and the surrounding area known as "Mad River Country."
The road started near the mouth of the Mad River, in a large area of land called the Symmes Purchase. Daniel Cooper, who was a surveyor and a miller, worked with Dr. John Hole to plan the road. Dr. Hole was the first doctor in Montgomery County. Together, they extended an older path called Harmer's Trace, making it the very first road between Cincinnati and Dayton. Cooper played a big part in helping Dayton grow, and Dr. Hole built his home along Mad River Road in 1796.
Building Ohio's First Major Road
The creation of Mad River Road was a big deal for early Ohio. It helped people travel and settle in new areas. In 1797, the official survey of the road was recorded. It described the path and its length.
The survey started at a place called Cunningham's Station. From there, it followed an old road for about four and a half miles. Then, it went north for eleven miles. After that, it turned northeast for thirteen miles, then northeast again for three and a quarter miles. Finally, it went north for three and a half miles, and then slightly northwest for one and a quarter miles. The road ended at the mouth of the Mad River, connecting to another road that led from Hamilton to Dayton. The total length of this important route was almost 39 miles!
Mad River Road Today
Even after more than 200 years, a part of the original Mad River Road is still in use today! There is a five-mile section that runs through Washington Township. This part is located between David Road in Kettering, Ohio and State Route 725 in Centerville, Ohio. It still has its original name and follows the exact path from long ago. This shows how well the road was built and how important it remains for daily travel.
