Travel Through Time on The National Road
Overview
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Ohio National Road – The Road That Built America. On July 4, 1825 ground was broken in Ohio for the National Road near the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville. The National Road was America’s first federally planned and funded highway and linked the East Coast to the Old Northwest Territory. Begin your journey in historic Bridgeport on the Ohio River and follow it for 28.5 miles to Fairview. Along the way, you will discover historic buildings, old segments of the road, quaint Route 40-era hotels, scenic wildlife areas, entertainment, unique shops, and local favorite eateries. Here are just a few adventures you’ll have on the National Road in Belmont County.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with classic candies, decadent desserts, and 45+ flavors of gourmet candy apples. Located at 225 Main St., Bridgeport; facebook.com/thefatapplebakery.
Vino di Piccin Winery & Tasting House
Taste the love and quality in every bottle from the Piccin family, whose winemaking tradition began more than a century ago in Northern Italy. 55155 National Rd., Lansing; vinodipiccin.com.
1828 Blaine Hill “S” Bridge
Visit Ohio’s Official Bicentennial Bridge, a stone structure that’s the last of its kind on Route 40. Pasko Road, Bridgeport.
Ebbert Farm Market
Choose a pumpkin from the hillside, sip apple cider, and make autumn memories at this third-generation family farm. 68101 Ebbert N. Rd., St. Clairsville; ebbertfarmmarket.com.
Mehlman’s Cafeteria
Join the thousands of guests who flock to this fourth-generation family restaurant weekly for its hearty, home-style cooking. 51800 National Rd., St. Clairsville; mehlman.com.
Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream
Try more than 40 flavors of handmade ice cream, including seasonal delights and old standbys. 50525 Rehm Rd., St. Clairsville.
St. Clairsville Historic Downtown District
Pick up a walking tour brochure outside the St. Clairsville Municipal Building, located at 100 N. Market St., and take in the stunning 19th-century architecture in this quant district. Favorite shops, eateries, and sites on Main Street include: Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffè, Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen and Bar, Newellstown Diner, From Past to Present Quilt Shop, The Melting Pot Marketplace, and more!
Belmont County Heritage Museum
Discover the stories of historic Belmont County inside a Victorian Romanesque-style building that once served as the sheriff’s residence. The museum will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025 with redesigned and imagined exhibits, events, and programs.
101 E. Main St., Clairsville; belmontcountyheritagemuseum.org.
Great Western Schoolhouse
Step back in time in this restored one-room school, the only one in Belmont County. Ohio University Eastern Campus, St. Clairsville.
Route 40 Lumberjaxe
Here, it’s OK to throw a few axes — or just chill out with other favorite games, like giant Jenga, shuffleboard and foosball. 41761 National Rd., Belmont; route40lumberjaxe.com.
The Pike 40 Restaurant & Bar
Savor the Ohio Valley’s original cuisine at this award-winning restaurant, which elevates Americana staples with fresh, local ingredients. 41010 National Rd., Morristown; pike40.com.
Morristown Historic Downtown District
Older than the state of Ohio, Morristown is a well-preserved example of a National Pike Town that dates to 1802. morristownohio.org.
Black Horse Inn
See a restoration in progress at this pivotal landmark and future home of the Underground Railroad Museum. Located at 203 Cross St., Morristown it was built in 1807 and is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Enjoy live music in “the place where bluegrass happens”. This venue was first occupied as a church in the 1830s. 139 Fair Ave., Fairview; pennyroyalbluegrass.com.
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