RAPEA - Day 11 - Marietta OH to Dayton OH

This one will be short and sweet. We drove from point A to point B with little to report. We saw some heavy rain in the distance now that we're traveling on more flat land but we only experienced a light mist. Dayton was mostly blue skies when we arrived.

It felt as though we were in the heartland of America. We passed huge agricultural farms interspersed with cattle, goats and even sheep. The highlight of my day was doing a doubletake as we passed a pond out in the country with a life-size concrete elephant standing in the brush at the water's edge dipping his trunk in the water as if he's taking a drink.

One observance is troubling though. From SC to Dayton OH every motel, convenience store and restaurant manager or worker has stated the same complaint. Employees are scarce. Openings are left unfilled. No one wants to work. Many are being paid more tax free than they brought home when they were working. Some are single parents or dual working parents who can't work because their children can't attend school and after-care programs. Even some of the schools that have reopened are only doing so part time. Motels have no one to clean the rooms and do the laundry. Restaurants who are now able to reopen fully find themselves operating limited hours because they don't have the staff to reopen fully. 

Everyone is on the gravy train headed to the end of the tracks. What happens when they reach it? Will they be able to reverse? Will there be anywhere to reverse to? If it's completely derailed who's going to put it back on the right track? Just something to think about...tomorrow - Route 66. Nostalgia is looking better and better.

RAPEA - Day 9 - Marietta OH - Part 2

From Lookout Point we could see where the Muskingum River meets the Ohio River. We could also see the Marietta-Harmar Bridge which carried the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad over the Muskingum River between Marietta and Harmar, Ohio beginning in 1873 when the 900ft covered bridge was replaced with an iron superstructure that included a central swing span. That swing span enabled the passage of larger steamboats along the Muskingum River.

The B&O abandoned the Harmar bridge in 1962. The non-profit Harmar Bridge Company was formed in the 1980s, which fundraised money to add a pedestrian walkway alongside the railroad bridge.

On February 29, 2020, the crossing was closed to pedestrians because of the bridge’s structural deterioration and liability to the Harmar Bridge Company. It has been estimated to cost between $2 million and $4 million to build a pedestrian walkway within the iron superstructure of the bridge. 

That was a sad day for the local pub crawl set who used it frequently to bar hop on both sides of the river on any given night.

And last but not least is the beautiful Valley Gem Sternwheeler which I couldn't get a good shot of but you can read all about it online.

From the overlook we headed to the waterfront to see the most important piece of history in town in my opinion. It's the Memorial to the Start Westward of the United States which was sculpted for Marietta's Sesquicentennial by Gutzon Borglum. For any of you history buffs out there who think that name is vaguely familiar, he's the sculptor who is most widely known for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

The Memorial to the Start Westward of the United States commemorates the Northwest Territory’s creation in 1787. It also celebrates the courage, character, and perseverance of those pioneers who wrote the ordinance and started the new settlements in this territory. It was the first territory under American government outside of the original thirteen states. It was a large tract bordered by the Ohio River, Mississippi River, and the great lakes. Marietta, settled in 1788, was the first city in the new territory.

The Ordinance of 1787 which created the territory is considered an important document in early American history. It was a landmark prototype for American governance. It guaranteed citizens many civil liberties now in the Bill of Rights, including prohibition of slavery and freedom of religion. It served as an enduring model for the admission of all new states since 1787.

Our final stop of the day were the stables where Miz T's two horses, Prada and Cobalt are stabled. Prada is an Arabian mare she picked up for a song because of her fascinating beginnings. After she was conceived, her embryo was transplanted from her Arabian mother into a Belgian surrogate. When she was born she was nursed by the surrogate whose milk was so rich it caused Prada ortho issues because she is much taller than the average Arabian. She's a tricky little wench. The minute Miz T turned her back she tried the stall latch to see if it was re-locked. Cobalt was a feisty stallion who was very excited to see Miz T and really wanted to be let out even though Miz T's husband had only left the stable shortly before our arrival.

                    

Bottom line is if Marrietta OH isn't on your bucket list, it needs to be added. It's a great town with lots to do indoors and out. I'm sad to leave it but the road is calling and I must answer. And thanks to an old friend I have a new friend. I'm going to miss you Miz T!

RAPEA - Day 9 - Marietta OH - Part 1

When I was going to school History was a snooze fest for me. I could have given two figs about memorizing all those boring dates and events that took place in places I had never heard of by people who were long since turned to dust. But today history came alive for me thanks to the knowledge and eloquence of our gracious host I'll call Miz T who is MTC's lifelong friend.

We started our day with a tour of the Bridges of Washington County. Over 50 covered bridges were once scattered throughout Washington County. Today only nine remain as reminders of the ingenuity of the past. Today we saw three of the remaining bridges which are scattered along ST RT 26 and the Wayne National Forest Scenic By-Way: HILLS COVERED BRIDGE (also known as the Hildreth Covered Bridge c.1878), HUNE COVERED BRIDGE (c.1877) and the indomitable RINARD COVERED BRIDGE (c.1876). The original Rinard bridge was washed from its piers by floods in 1913 and 1938 but still remained intact to be placed back on its piers. It was destroyed in a flood on September 19, 2004, and was rebuilt and re-dedicated on October 21, 2006 with as many trusses and timbers as could be salvaged.

Next we visited a small country cemetery on her family's land. It was filled with many Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. I was happy to see each of the veteran's graves were marked by a small US Flag. While tiptoeing between the headstones we noticed the metal flag holders contained either the initials GAR or FCL. 

Of course I had no reception out in the boonies (Thanks T-Mobile!) so I made a note to look them up later and here's what I found out: 

Following the Civil War, a number of state and local organizations were formed for veterans to network and keep in touch with each other. Initially established for camaraderie, these groups later gained significant political power. The most influential organization between 1868 and 1908 was the Grand Army of the Republic.

Founded in 1866, the GAR was based on the principles of “Fraternity, Charity & Loyalty”. Fraternity represented the brotherhood of those who served together, Charity referred to the organization’s work to ensure the well-being of veterans, widows and children of veterans, and Loyalty to the Constitution and the American flag.

During its tenure, the GAR helped elect several United States presidents, from Ulysses S. Grant to William McKinley. The organization was also active in pension legislation and establishing retirement homes for soldiers. In fact, the GAR’s influence led to the creation of the Old Soldiers’ Homes of the late nineteenth century, which later evolved into the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

After the death of the organization’s last member, Albert Woolson, in 1956, the Grand Army of the Republic was formally dissolved. However, the principles on which it was founded still hold significance today.

Next on our tour was the Mound Cemetery which is an historic cemetery developed around the base of a prehistoric Adena burial mound known as the Great Mound or Conus. The city founders preserved the Great Mound from destruction by establishing the city cemetery around it in 1801.

The city of Marietta was developed in 1788 by pioneers from Massachusetts, soon after the American Revolutionary War and organization of the Northwest Territory. Many of the founders were officers of the Revolutionary War who had received federal land grants for military services. Among high-ranking officers buried at the cemetery are generals Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper, who were founders of the Ohio Company of Associates; as well as Commodore Abraham Whipple and Colonel William Stacy. The cemetery has the highest number of burials of American Revolutionary War officers in the country.

Then it was on to the imposing Washington County Courthouse which has the most incredible grand staircase and unique floor tile design. At first I was like, "Whaaat?!" but then Miz T explained to me that the design was not reversed Swastikas but actually an Indian motif which you can read more about here. Throughout the second floor can be found old photographs of the courthouse and surrounding area after the flood of 1937 when a canoe was the most useful transportation available.

   

TO BE CONTINUED...