Trailblazers & Founders Memorial
The 250th anniversary of American independence is an ideal moment to honor the Trailblazers and founders of Zanesville who fought for American independence and later helped shape the growth and prosperity of Ohio in the years following the war.
The Trailblazers & Founders Memorial Project tells the story of the Zane’s Trace and both of Zanesville’s founders — John McIntire and Jonathan Zane — highlighting their roles in the community’s early development.
The Trailblazers & Founders Memorial Project
Trailblazers & Founders Memorial
Free Booklet:
From Trail to Town:
Zane’s Trace and the Making of Zanesville
Memorial Dedication & Celebration
Trailblazers & Founders memorial at confluence Park
Three granite stones display a map of Zane’s Trace through Muskingum County, the story of Zane’s Trace, the names of the nine men who formed it, as well as the biographies and portraits of Captain Jonathan Zane and John McIntire, the founders of Zanesville. The stones will sit directly in front of the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. They will serve as an outdoor “exhibit” as visitors will be able to observe the rivers’ display of water power and learn how Colonel Zane chose this location for his crossing, and eventually the city of Zanesville. The City of Zanesville will install a cement walkway leading up to and surrounding the plaques, as well as the foundations for the stones that will display them.
The site of the plaques will be located right next to the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers, serving as an outdoor exhibit. Visitors will be able to observe the confluence, and its display of water power, and learn how it inspired Col. Zane to choose this location for his crossing, and eventually the city of Zanesville.
Portrait of John McIntire, co-founder of Zanesville
From Trail to Town: Zane’s Trace and the Making of Zanesville
A booklet will be created recounting the remarkable story of the Zane family, the development of Zane’s Trace, and the early founders of Zanesville, and it will be provided free to the public. The booklet will be distributed to schools, museums, libraries, and tourist sites throughout Muskingum County with the assistance of the Zanesville–Muskingum County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ebenezer Zane was a Colonel and the Commander of Fort Henry in Wheeling, West Virginia, where the last land battle of the Revolutionary War was fought; had that conflict ended differently, the town that became Zanesville would likely never have come into being. After the war, Zane recognized the urgent need for a reliable road extending beyond the Ohio River. He noted that, for the delivery of mail and for settlers seeking a better life farther west, travel by flatboat down the Ohio was costly, slow, and fraught with danger.
A list of the Trailblazers on the back of the large center stone. Ebenezer Zane was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, Jonathan Zane was a Captain and Border Scout, while William McCulloch and John Green were Privates. Tomepomehala was an Indian guide who helped the team navigate through the Ohio wilderness.
Credit: Map of Muskingum County found in The Zane’s Trace: A New Road in a New Country by John Barr.
A map of Muskingum County with Zane’s Trace will be on the tall center stone. The plaque will show the Licking and Muskingum Rivers, Zane’s Trace, and all towns and cities located near the trail.
In 1796, Congress approved his request to lay out a trail from Wheeling, (now West) Virginia, to Limestone (now Maysville), Kentucky. Zane enlisted trusted friends and fellow veterans to clear and construct the roughly 200-mile route. Where Ebenezer Zane chose to cross the Muskingum River would later grow into the City of Zanesville, and the section of Zane’s Trace running from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Zanesville eventually became part of the National Road (Route 40).
This Independence Day, the community will gather for a historic moment as we unveil the Trailblazers and Founders Memorial, a signature Muskingum 250 event honoring the patriots and pioneers who created Zane’s Trace—the first federally commissioned road in the United States. This memorial is the first of its kind in Zanesville, commemorating both the legacy of Zane’s Trace and the city’s two founders, John McIntire and Jonathan Zane.
The day begins at 10:00 AM with the official dedication ceremony, recognizing the individuals whose courage and determination opened the earliest pathways into the Northwest Territory and laid the groundwork for Zanesville’s founding.
At 11:00 AM, the celebration continues with the planting of a Liberty Tree and the sealing of a community time capsule, creating a living tribute for future generations.
From Noon to 4:00 PM, the festivities expand into a free community celebration featuring:
A variety of food trucks
Live music throughout the afternoon
Activities for kids
A welcoming, family‑friendly atmosphere
This July 4th event blends remembrance, community pride, and summertime celebration. It’s an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who shaped our region, celebrate the founders who built Zanesville, and look ahead to the next 250 years together.
We’re working hard to bring the Trailblazers & Founders Memorial Project to life, and your support can help make every part of this historic effort possible. This memorial will honor the pioneers and patriots who built Zane’s Trace and helped shape our community’s story.
If you’d like to contribute, we’ve made it easy to learn how. Visit the Muskingum 250 Sponsors & Partners page to explore our giving levels and see how your donation can make a lasting impact.
All contributions are safely managed through the Muskingum County Community Foundation, ensuring your support goes directly toward this meaningful project.
Together, we can help preserve our history and inspire future generations. Thank you for being part of Muskingum 250!
