Ohio

The Ohio River Scenic Byway story is that of the Ohio River itself. Winding its way through the Ohio valley, this great river has shaped the landscape and economics of the region. From native prehistoric cultures to the children of the Information Age, the river has provided sustenance and transport for countless peoples. Since the opening of the west, to the great age of industry and the frenetic 20th century — all things in the region find their roots in the Ohio River.

The Ohio River Scenic Byway follows along the Ohio state boundary on the north. The scenery along the byway echoes the natural history of the valley and the historical use of the land and river.

Formed when glaciers diverted existing rivers 10,000 years ago, the Ohio River carries the waters of the Monogahela and Allegheny Rivers and many other tributaries to the Mississippi River. Creating splendid views of the winding path through the surrounding hills, the Powerful Ohio River is broad and relatively shallow.

Along the byway lie prehistoric burial mounds, mostly from the Hopewell culture, indicating the region's importance in ancient patterns of migration before the settlement of European descendents.

Meriwether Lewis and the people of his expedition passed through the region in 1803, camping and conducting business near Steubenville, Bellaire, Marietta, Belpre, Aberdeen, and Cincinnati to name a few places. William Clark later joined the group as the expedition moved West.

Prior to and during the Civil War, the Ohio River corridor was a hotbed of abolitionist and Underground Railroad activity as escaped slaves desperately tried to reach the Ohio side of the river and cross into free territory. At this time, the northern side of the river literally and figuratively shone like a beacon of freedom, as many Ohio town residents signaled a place of safe harbor from bounty hunters and slave owners searching for escaped slaves by keeping lights in their windows. The National Underground Railroad Freedom center, in Cincinnati, celebrates the heroism and bravery of both "passengers" and "conductors" on the Underground Railroad, such as New Richmond, Ripley, Aberdeen, and Ironton.

The communities that have grown up along the river are the byway's greatest assets. The remarkable charm and beauty of many nineteenth-century building styles can be enjoyed in towns all along the byway. Cincinnati, already renowned for its commerce, became known as the "Athens in the West." In the 1830's and 1840's, Cincinnati earned this repuation because of its fine cultural and artistic institutions. Today it remains the largest byway city with the the once heavily industrialized riverfront being converted to public spaces that celebrate recreation and the beauty of the river.

As the Ohio River winds its way along the Ohio shoreline, it traverses 462 miles of historic, cultural, scenic, and naturally abundant landscape. From East Liverpool to Cincinnati, there are many similarities in the people, industries, historical development , and favorite pasttimes that are shared. All the while, the Ohio River flows gracefully alongside the byway, beckoning the visitor on, weaving a seamless, meaningful experience.

Click HERE to see a movie about the Ohio portion of the Byway. The file is 151.2 MB, so a high speed internet connection is recommended.