Ebenezer Zane - Building Zane's Trace

Building Zane's Trace

Following the war in 1796, Zane obtained permission and funds from the United States Congress to build a road through the Northwest Territory. In exchange for his work, Congress granted Zane tracts of land in the areas where the road intersected the Muskingum, Hocking, and Scioto rivers.

When Zane's Trace was completed, it crossed what is now the state of Ohio from Wheeling, Virginia to Maysville, Kentucky. Although the road was a rudimentary path and at first suitable only for travel by foot or horseback (not by wagon), the state of Ohio undertook improvements in the early 19th century. It was the only major road in Ohio until the War of 1812. See the entry on Zane's Trace for more information.

Zanesville, Ohio was named in his honor. Ebenezer Zane died of jaundice in 1811.

He was a maternal ancestor of author Zane Grey, who was born in Zanesville.

Read more about this topic:  Ebenezer Zane

Famous quotes containing the words building and/or trace:

    A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.
    Robertson Davies (b. 1913)

    The land of shadows wilt thou trace
    And look nor know each other’s face
    The present mixed with reasons gone
    And past and present all as one
    Say maiden can thy life be led
    To join the living with the dead
    Then trace thy footsteps on with me
    We’re wed to one eternity
    John Clare (1793–1864)