Old Washington: History on the National Road
Accommodation in Old Washington
Old Washington connects the early history of Zane’s Trace with a defining chapter of the National Road. George and Henry Beymer laid out the town on Zane’s Trace in 1805. On July 24, 1863, General John Hunt Morgan and his Confederate cavalry reached Old Washington; the only Civil War skirmish on the National Road in Ohio took place here. This precisely dated event gives the town’s history a concrete reference point for anyone interested in the region’s past while traveling.
National Road and Historic Buildings
Old Washington is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its large number of pre-Civil War buildings. Alongside the events of 1863, the town’s older building stock is therefore a central part of its historic character. Four miles east of Old Washington is the S Bridge. Built in 1828 as part of the National Road, it is a single-arch stone bridge. It is in poor condition and is now used only for pedestrian traffic. Check access before visiting.
Traces of Morgan’s Raid
The John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail places the history in a broader context. The section of the trail in Guernsey County has four interpretive markers in Cumberland, Senecaville, Lore City, and Old Washington; one is located in Old Washington. The markers serve as guides to the historical events documented along the entire trail. This makes it possible to view the town’s marker as part of a story that extends beyond Old Washington.
Old Washington Cemetery also has a strong connection to the town: it overlooks the village below. The cemetery is home to the Civil War monument “Morgan’s Raid in Old Washington,” near the area where three Confederate soldiers are buried. The monument’s name and location make the memory of the raid tangible in a specific place.
School History and Fair Tradition
Valley School tells another side of local history. The typical one-room schoolhouse was built around 1903 in Wills Township on County Home Road and is located at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds in Old Washington. Mrs. Wilma Wigginton and a group of teachers from Guernsey County saved the school from demolition by moving it to the fairgrounds. Its story connects its former location with the schoolhouse’s later preservation.
The Guernsey County Fair is a tradition that has been going on for nearly two centuries and takes place in Old Washington. It features rides, live entertainment, livestock exhibits and sales, as well as pie contests. Old Washington therefore brings together local history and a long-standing fair tradition as distinct travel interests.
What Shapes Your Choice of Destination
When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to consider which of these themes you would like to focus on during your stay. The history of Zane’s Trace and the National Road, traces of Morgan’s Raid, the schoolhouse, and the fair program offer concrete points to consider. Historic sites and markers contrast with a fair featuring a variety of activities—a useful distinction when planning your trip around your group’s interests.
The wider context of Guernsey County may also help with planning: the National Road Tour in Ohio follows two-lane paved roads and side roads there. Check road conditions and signage before setting out.
Explore more destinations: Cambridge, Quaker City.
For the broader travel overview: Guernsey.
