Trail of Tears - Dayton - Fayetteville

[carolinarider09]

I am trying to plan a trip home from Athens, OH (InZane 2021) and one of the routes I found is labeled as "Trail of Tears - Dayton - Fayetteville.

What I cannot find is the historical significance of this route.  Is it one of the real "Trail of Tears" from the 1830's.   If so I cannot find a reference so....

If anyone knows the significance of this route I'd love to hear it. 

Thanks.

https://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/united-states/ohio/ride/trail-of-tears

[Jess from VA]

When I was a child, Dayton OH was one of the toughest, longest existing speed traps in the Eastern US.

We had to drive through Dayton (on I-75) traveling to virtually all family members south.

Dad was always a real safe driver, but once we got off there for gas and the speed went from 55 to 25 in 20 feet (down a steep hill) and he got a ticket anyway.  Only one of the 3-4 times I ever heard him use bad language in my life.

That's probably not why it's called the trail of tears (but that's all I got).  

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I found this on the real trail of tears.  (OH isn't in there)

[carolinarider09]

Jess,

That map is one I found as well.  It does not show any "trails" Ohio to West Virginia.  

However, I did find this link below.  Its a very long read and I did not have time to read it all.  

Its about Ohio’s Wyandot Nation  

https://www.wyandotte-nation.org/culture/history/published/trail-of-tears/

And I found this link.

https://martincitytelegraph.com/2018/11/23/the-trail-of-tears-of-the-wyandot-indians/

It is possible that the rider who posted the "Trail of Tears" route on "Motorcycle Roads" made it up. 

[MAD6Gun]

When I was a child, Dayton OH was one of the toughest, longest existing speed traps in the Eastern US.

We had to drive through Dayton (on I-75) traveling to virtually all family members south.

Dad was always a real safe driver, but once we got off there for gas and the speed went from 55 to 25 in 20 feet (down a steep hill) and he got a ticket anyway.  Only one of the 3-4 times I ever heard him use bad language in my life.

That's probably not why it's called the trail of tears (but that's all I got).  

-------
I found this on the real trail of tears.  (OH isn't in there)

 That reminds me of a quote from the movie Cannonball Run. "As far as we know no state has the death penalty for speeding. Although we are not sure about Ohio".

[Jess from VA]

"As far as we know no state has the death penalty for speeding. Although we are not sure about Ohio".

Well VA could get honorable mention. 

Who ever heard of 20 over being reckless driving, at the officer's discretion? 

[carolinarider09]

The more I look the more things I find out.  I think the "gentlemen" got the name wrong.  Or just made a mistake.  

Highway 16 in WV is also part of the "Coal Heritage Trail".   I think its further south then we will be traveling but.... Still looking

http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/programplanning/plan_conf/Documents/2011PC/WV_Coal_Heritage_Trail.pdf

[Bigwolf]

Carolinarider,
You might find the answers you are looking for if you start with this article from Moundsville.  https://moundsville.org/2020/10/12/lighting-up-west-virginias-native-american-past-after-suppression/
West Virginia (before it became West Virginia) was home to several tribes of Indians.  Most were eventually forced to relocate.

If you do decide to take the route you have pointed out, I would suggest that you leave route 50 at Parkersburg instead of taking it to Ellenboro/Harrisville.  Take 47 out of Parkersburg to Smithville where you can pick up 16 heading south.  16 from Harrisville to Smithville is good motorcycling road but route 50 from Parkersburg to Ellenboro is all 4 lane and might be a bit boring.  However, route 47 from Parkersburg to Smithville is mostly 2 lane and tends to follow the Hughes River.  I believe you would enjoy rt47.

There are several historic Indian mounds and Indian sites in Ohio and some of them are between Athens and Parkersburg.  I From Parkersburg, you can take a ferry out to Blennerhassett Island which is now a park.  The island was once a major Indian settlement but is now more recognized as the home of Harmon Blennerhassett.

[scooperhsd]

West Virgina - fun roads if you stay off the Interstates / toll roads. Although you will want to use them if you want to make time.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Bigwoll, I changed the route as suggested. 

Will look at the website.

[h13man]

http://www.kansasheritage.org/PBP/people/trail_map.html

We have The Trail Of Death which was part of the same movement as the American Indian was forced to migrate to the reserve.

[threevalks]

Carolinarider,
                 If you follow Jerry's route to 16, you can stay on 16 all the way to Charlotte, NC. If you stay on it to at last Marion, VA, you will not be disappointed. It is a little difficult to not loose it in the Beckley WV area, but pay close attention and you'll find it.
               I have ridden it from it's northern start in St Mary's WV to Wilkesboro, NC several times. Do not plan on averaging over 25-35 mph on this road, but it is IMHO the best motorcycle road in West Virginia and Virginia.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Threevalks.  We have ridden Higway 16 all the way Beckley, WV last year.  Thats were we found War, WV..   

My wife told me about 40 or so miles out of Beckley she was tired of the twisties.