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45th Annual Belmont County Rubberneck Tour set for Oct. 8

T-L Photos/JANELL HUNTER The Pike Island Locks and Dam fisherman’s access area in Yorkville.

MARTINS FERRY — Plans have been finalized for the 45th-annual Belmont County Rubberneck Tour, said Barb Ballint, director of the Belmont County Tourism Council.

This year the free, drive-it-yourself tour will take place along a portion of the Ohio River Scenic Trail, one of three Scenic Byways in Belmont County on from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 8, with the first stop being the Pike Island Locks and Dam in Yorkville and the last stop at Barn Furniture in Bellaire.

“The event originated as farm visits along scenic roads to promote the area’s agriculture. It was a great way to enjoy a fall foliage drive,” Ballint said. “With fewer working farms in the area, the tourism office has adapted this event to not only promote our beautiful farms, but also the area’s history, and other points of interest throughout Belmont County.”

Ballint said the tourism council is excited about this year’s tour.

“There is a lot of history along the Ohio River in Belmont County,” she said.

There are nine stops in this year’s Rubberneck Tour:

∫ Stop 1:

PIKE ISLAND LOCKS AND DAM

The lock chambers lie on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River along W.Va. 2, just north of the Warwood area of Wheeling. The recreational area and fishing pier are located on the Ohio side of the river in the village of Yorkville.

The Pike Island locks were constructed from 1959-63, and were opened in November 1963. The dam was constructed from 1962-65. This structure replaced Locks and Dams 10 and 11, built by the Corps from 1912-16 and 1904-11, respectively. These had smaller lock chambers with old-style wooden wicket dams which were raised and lowered manually by the lock crews to maintain the required navigation depth in the river.

The Pike Island project has two locks — a 1,200-foot primary chamber and a 600-foot auxiliary chamber and nine dam gates. Gated dams are constructed to permit increased control over the water level in the navigation pool upriver of the dam. Machinery mounted on tall concrete piers moves large cables which lift gates that are hinged into the body of the piers. As the gates are raised or lowered to control the amount of water flowing under them, the upstream pool is maintained at a relatively constant level for an authorized depth of at least 9 feet throughout its length. The dam, however, cannot be operated to control flood flows. An incidental benefit derived from the pool formed by the dam is the availability of a source of municipal and industrial water.

∫ Stop #2:

WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY

The Walnut Grove Cemetery in Martins Ferry is one of the oldest cemeteries in the state of Ohio. Its name originated from the acres of beautiful walnut trees that graced the river bank in that area of town. It was a popular picnic site for the local population and the Methodists used it as a location for their camp meetings.

Absalom Martin, the founder of Martins Ferry, loved it so much that he was buried there in 1802. After that the grove became the official town burial ground.

Within a special walled area, members of the Martin and Zane families were buried. Graves of veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War were also located there. In the cemetery is a large, common grave of townspeople who died in the smallpox epidemic of 1880.

On April 15,1887, a tornado struck the area and destroyed most of the walnut trees and damaged many of the headstones in the cemetery. The city opened a new cemetery, Riverview, and the Walnut Grove Cemetery fell into disrepair. In 1928, the school children of Martins Ferry funded a statue of Betty Zane which was erected at the entrance to the cemetery. She is honored for her heroism during the siege of Fort Henry in Wheeling in 1782. Betty Zane, who resided in Martins Ferry, is buried within the cemetery.

∫ Stop #3:

PROJECT FORWARD FARMERS’ MARKET

Project Forward is a community based organization commissioned by the city of Martins Ferry to promote and implement economic revitalization in the downtown area. By capitalizing on the community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, Project Forward is creating quality public events that contribute to the health, happiness, and well-being of the residents of Martins Ferry.

City leaders welcome people to stop at Fifth and Hanover streets in Martins Ferry to enjoy a sampling of the best the city has to offer. Food vendors, artisans, and more will be available to show off why they are so proud to be part of “The Purple City.” The community will open its doors to welcome visitors with murals painted on doors displaying the rich history of Ohio’s first settlement.

This stop will also host the Martins Ferry Farmers’ Market and a bird house making activity by the Belmont County Soil and Water Conservation District.

∫ Stop #4:

SEDGWICK HOUSE MUSEUM

Located at 627 Hanover St. in Martins Ferry, the Sedgwick House was constructed in 1870 by the Helling family. It was the home of Leroy Sedgwick and his family from 1900 until the late 1960s. Sedgwick was a local businessman, served as sheriff of Belmont County, and was the co-founder of The Times Leader. In 1970, the Martins Ferry Area Historical Society established the Sedgwick House Museum to house historical artifacts pertaining to the Martins Ferry area. A visitor to the museum can view items that range in time from pioneers such as the Martin and Zane families to the space shuttle. Exhibits include period furniture, glassware, textiles school and sports memorabilia, and commercial and industrial materials.

∫ Stop #5:

RIVERVIEW BIBLE CHURCH

Located at 57890 Moores Run Road, Bellaire, Riverview Bible Church has a long and wonderful history dating back to 1915. On Sept. 12, 1915, the American Sunday School Union, which was started by Frances Scott Key, organized the first Sunday School in Riverview. The Sunday School ministered to the spiritual needs of the community and experience real growth. The classes were held in the old Riverview School.

About 10 years later, the Sunday School classes and some interested members bought, rebuilt, and moved to the Bellaire Trinity Episcopal Church building in the Riverview community. The church became known as the Riverview Chapel.

In 1955 the church structure sustained some damaged as an indirect result of the relocation of Ohio 7. The property was sold and Sunday School services were temporarily held in the basement of a church member’s home. Shortly thereafter a new building was purchased on Whiskey Run Road.

Yet again the church would face relocation because of the construction of Interstate 470. The state of Ohio purchased the building on Whiskey Run and the funds were used to build a new building at the present-day location in West Wheeling. This transition took place in 1970.

∫ Stop #6:

BELLAIRE TOY AND PLASTIC

BRICK MUSEUM

The Toy and Plastic Brick Museum (known as “The Unofficial LEGO Museum”) at 4597 Noble St. in Bellaire is 36,600 square feet of fun. Themed models, rooms and play areas make up this unique facility. Inducted in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 for the “World’s Largest LEGO Image” (2010 book) the museum is interesting for kids and adults of all ages.

∫ Stop #7:

THE GREAT STONE VIADUCT

The Great Stone Viaduct Historical Society will have a tent booth staffed by members with information about their organization, with the Great Stone Viaduct as a panoramic backdrop. A central feature of Bellaire is the massive stone railroad viaduct which still carries railroad traffic between Ohio and West Virginia. The viaduct was built of 43 sandstone arches reminiscent of a roman viaduct. It was completed in 1871 and operated by the B& O Railroad. The Viaduct is a registered historic structure in Bellaire, Ohio, listed in the National Registry on June 22, 1976. A dedicated group of local men and women from all walks of life, have formed the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society, and are working to keep and promote the railroad heritage that transformed Bellaire and its landscape. With 43 stone arches, the Great Stone Viaduct is Bellaire’s most recognizable landmark that helped to shape not only the Ohio Valley, but the whole of the county. Using this structure as the name for the society, the board of trustees is working to preserve that landmark and to let others know about the rich transportation history that railroads once brought to the area.

Visitors will have the opportunity to check out the Ohio Valley Farmers Market at this stop.

This stop will host the Master Gardeners of The Ohio State University Extension, who will be offering pumpkin decorating for children. The Master Gardeners are trained volunteers available to educate the residents of Belmont County with timely researched-based information, programs and public service.

Also at this stop is the St. C. Flyers, a group that promotes model aviation. Members will demonstrate electric powered and fuel powered flight, powered gliders, aerobatic planes, and old timer designs upgraded to radio control. Stop and try your hand at a flight simulator or perhaps at an actual radio controlled model.

∫ Stop #8:

THE BELLAIRE ESCAPE ZONE

The Escape Zone brings the game of “Clue” to life and combines it with murder mystery that you play on the computer. They have three rooms for a live escape adventure such as a pirate ship at Pirate Cove and The Haunted Mansion. The Insane Asylum is known for taking on new residents. Search for clues and find hidden objects to solve mini puzzles. People have 60 minutes to unravel the mysteries and escape.

During a visit, the game master will take visitors inside one of the themed rooms and demonstrate how they guide players though the game. They encourage you to take a moment to sit down in the lobby and check out their wall of fame. They have hundreds of photos of families and teams who have visited us in the past.

It is situated at 2011 Belmont St., Bellaire, next door to The Barn Furniture.

∫ Stop #9:

THE BARN FURNITURE

Located at 2095 Belmont St. in Bellaire, The Barn Furniture has been family owned and operated since 1952 when it was opened by Brooklyn Ross. Ross, who was employed by Imperial Glass, mostly sold Imperial Glass in the store until an addition was put on years later. Charles Ross, Brooklyn’s son, went to work at the family business after he got out of the service and added used furniture. The store has changed a lot over the years with more additions, more furniture and odds and ends that you just don’t find anywhere. Charles’s love for the village of Bellaire shows when you enter the store, you will find tons of photos from the early 1900s of the city and football players. Recently Charles displayed his band uniform which dates back to the 1950s.

Rick Ross, Charles’ son runs the store today, keeping up with the tradition of having a little bit of everything. But Charles, at the age of 88, still comes to work six days a week and always has a story.

There will be restrooms available at all stops.

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