Zanesville, Ohio

One of those great towns along the National Road with lots of history and things to see.

Zanesville started as a 1790s settlement on the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum rivers by Col. Ebenezer Zane and his son-in-law John McEntire. They had blazed Zane's Trace into the Northwest territory.

In 1801, the village became known as Zanesville and Zane's Trace became part of the National Road.

In 1814, the first Y-Bridge was built. Ripley's Believe It Or Not declares it "the only bridge in the world you can cross and still be on the same side of the river."

Also, located by the Y-Bridge is the Muskingum River Canal and Lock System, the only hand-operated lock system still operating ion the US. It was built between 1840 and 1860.

Besides the bridge and locks, the buildings in town are architecturally significant, especially the court house. The National Road on both sides of town is a great drive, taking you back to both the 1800s and the US Highway system of the 30s to 60s.

I must admit that the first time I crossed the Y-Bridge, I didn't know I was on it. Who'd expect to find a stoplight in the middle of a bridge?

Well Worth a Stop. --RoadDog