ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A group of dedicated local people helped tell the story of America and the Buckeye State on Wednesday, unveiling a marker that commemorates the July 4, 1825, groundbreaking for the National Road in St. Clairsville.

The official Ohio Historical Marker was dedicated on the 193rd anniversary of the route’s beginnings in the city. Historic National Road was the first federally funded interstate highway in the United States, opening the way to the West for merchandise, livestock and people. Evidence of its importance as a transportation corridor can still be seen in the structures that line the thoroughfare, including homes, inns, tollhouses, diners and motels that span two centuries of American history.

Doug Smith, a resident of Licking County and co-author of “A Traveler’s Guide to the Historic National Road in Ohio,” made a few brief remarks while introducing his partner on the book, Glenn Harper.

Smith pointed out that July 4, 1825, is an extremely significant day in the history of Ohio transportation, since ground also was broken for the Ohio and Erie Canal on that date. That water route carried freight until the 1860s, when railroads came to the forefront, and functioned as a water source for industries and communities until about 1913, when it was

largely abandoned.

The National Road, however, still carries people and freight for long distances today.

Harper, who also is founder of the Ohio National Road Association, said it is important to preserve local history, such as old schoolhouses and other structures and locations. He noted that each bit of local history that is saved adds to the overall story of the nation and that of the American people.

“These are authentic sites,” Harper said. “This is our true history.”

Belmont County’s ONRA representatives — John Mattox, John S. Marshall, Rick Kolb and Al Smith — were honored along with the Rotary Club of St. Clairsville for their efforts to obtain and place the marker in front of the Belmont County Courthouse, right alongside National Road. A proclamation from Gov. John Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor was read aloud, commending the project organizers for “appreciating the past while looking to the future.”

The St. Clairsville High School band, under the direction of Justin Schwertfeger, provided patriotic music, and American Legion Post 159’s Color Guard presented the colors before Debbie Myser sang the national anthem. On hand for the festivities were Belmont County Commissioners J.P. Dutton, Josh Meyer and Mark Thomas; Ohio Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, and wife Darla; city Mayor Terry Pugh and more than 70 total observers, despite the bright sun and intense heat of the day.

The Belmont County Sheriff’s Residence Museum, located next to the courthouse, was open for visitors following the program. Guests were also urged to visit other historic landmarks in the county that are located on the National Road, including the Blaine Bridge, the Great Western Schoolhouse, the historic pike town of Morristown with its Blackhorse Inn, Hillside Motel and Plaza Motel, the St. Clairsville National Register Historic District, the Brick Tavern at Ohio University Eastern, Lloydsville and the site of Jamboree In The Hills.