Martins Ferry is located in the state of Ohio and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Martins Ferry, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Martins Ferry
The MidOhio Valley offers many interesting places to visit on vacation. In Martins Ferry, Ohio, you can find a variety of activities to keep you busy during your stay.
One option for vacationers is to take a riverboat cruise. The Belmont County Riverboat Cruise offers public and private charters along the Ohio River. The cruises depart from Heritage Port in downtown Martins Ferry.
If you are interested in history, you can visit the Martins Ferry Historic District. The district includes a variety of architecture styles, such as Italianate, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival. You can also tour the Aetna Glass Company, which has been in operation since 1889.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Martins Ferry is home to two parks. Ridenour Park features a walking trail, playground, and picnic pavilion. In contrast, Kilroy Sports Complex has basketball and tennis courts, a softball field, and a sand volleyball court.
In addition, Martins Ferry is a convenient location for day trips to nearby cities. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is less than two hours away, and Wheeling, West Virginia is less than one hour away.
Sights in Martins Ferry
Situated along the Ohio River in Belmont County, Ohio, Martins Ferry is a historic city with a charming downtown area and plenty of things to see and do. The city’s residents are proud of their community and its history, and there are several sights that reflect this.
The first thing that visitors to Martins Ferry will notice is the large RuthMaritime Gateway Visitors Center. This center contains information about the city’s history, as well as exhibits on the area’s ecology and geology. The center also has a gift shop, and it is the perfect place to start exploring Martins Ferry.
Just down the road from the visitors center is the historic Martins Ferry Suspension Bridge. This bridge, which was completed in 1839, was the first suspension bridge west of the Allegheny Mountains. Today, the bridge is open to pedestrian traffic only, and it provides a stunning view of the city.
Another important historical sight in Martins Ferry is the National Museum of Ceramics. This museum contains a collection of over 12,000 pieces of ceramic art, and it is the only museum of its kind in the United States. The museum is housed in a former church, and it is definitely worth a visit.
Martins Ferry is also home to a number of parks and outdoor recreation areas. The most popular park in the city is Fort Henry Park, which sits on the site of a former fort. The park has a playground, picnic areas, and a walking trail, and it is a great place to come and relax.
If you are looking for a city with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do, then Martins Ferry is definitely worth a visit. There is something for everyone in this charming Ohio River community.
History of Martins Ferry
Martins Ferry is a city in Belmont County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,915 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Belmont County. Martins Ferry is located along the Ohio River across from Wheeling, West Virginia.
The city’s name is derived from an early ferry service established by Colonel Ebenezer Zane and his brother Isaac, which crossed the Ohio River from Mingo Bottom in what is now Wheeling to Martinsville, now part of Martins Ferry.
The first permanent settlement in Martins Ferry was made in 1779 by Jacob Wetzel, who laid out the town of Newport. Wetzel was soon joined by his brothers Peter and Philip, who had also fought in the American Revolutionary War. In 1793, Ebenezer Zane received a grant of land on the west bank of the Ohio River opposite Wheeling. Zane platted the town of Chillicothe and settled there with his family.
The town of West Liberty was platted in 1798 on lands purchased by the Zanes. West Liberty was the county seat of Belmont County from 1800 to 1814, when it was replaced by St. Clairsville. St. Clairsville was the county seat until 1845, when Martins Ferry became the county seat.
The National Road (now U.S. Route 40) was extended through Martins Ferry in 1818. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reached Martins Ferry in 1857.
The St. Johns Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Martins Ferry to Wheeling, was completed in 1849. The bridge was of iron construction and was the first bridge to span the Ohio River at Martins Ferry.
In 1864, the Confederate Army occupied Martins Ferry during General Jubal Early’s raid on Washington, D.C. The town was shelled by Confederate artillery stationed on Wheeling Island.
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Wheeling to Wheeling Island, was completed in 1849. The suspension bridge was the first bridge to span the Ohio River at Wheeling.
The Benwood Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Benwood, West Virginia to Wheeling Island, was completed in 1892. The bridge was of steel construction and was the first bridge to span the Ohio River at Wheeling Island.
The Bellaire Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Bellaire, Ohio to Wheeling, West Virginia, was completed in 1890. The bridge was of steel construction and was the second bridge to span the Ohio River at Wheeling.
The Fort Henry Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Fort Henry, Kentucky to Wheeling Island, was completed in 1895. The bridge was of steel construction and was the first bridge to span the Ohio River at Wheeling Island.
The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Bridge, spanning the Ohio River from Benwood, West Virginia to Wheeling Island, was completed in 1908. The bridge was of steel construction and was the first bridge to span the Ohio River at Wheeling Island.
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