Learn more about Fairfield County with historical marker trail

FAIRFIELD COUNTY − Ohio Historical Markers are a way to commemorate the people, places, and events that have taken place in the state throughout the years.

Fairfield County is home to a variety of Ohio Historical Markers. These landmarks tell the story of the county's history as told by the community.

The Fairfield County Historical Marker Trail is an easy way to explore the county and its special history.

Here is the list of historical markers included on the trail.

Bremen Oil Boom

In 1907-08, the Bremen Oil Commenced, making the town a center in the region's petroleum industry. As the area was a forest of oil derricks, it was said that one could go down Broad Street from derrick to derrick without touching the ground. To commemorate this, a reconstructed derrick was built in 1984.

Camp Anderson

During the beginning of the Civil War, parts of the Fairfield County fairgrounds became Camp Anderson. This camp was named in honor of Major Robert Anderson, who commanded Fort Sumter during an attack. Enlisted men were trained at Camp Anderson before being sent to war.

Fairfield School for Boys 1857-1979

The Fairfield School for Boys once served as the nation's first and largest minimum security correctional facility from 1857 to 1979. The school was eventually converted to an adult facility in 1980.

John Bright #2 Covered Bridge

The John Bright #2 covered bridge, named after pioneer settler John Bright, was built in 1881. After it could no longer carry vehicular traffic, Dean Ray Wiles of Ohio University Lancaster led an effort to save the bridge. The bridge was moved to the Ohio University Lancaster, where it still stands to this day.

Junction of The Ohio Erie and Lancaster Lateral Canals

When Carroll was founded in 1829, canals were an important means of transportation. This site was chosen as a proposed intersection of the Lancaster Lateral Canal and Ohio-Erie Canal would be constructed. This site became known as "the junction" to Fairfield County locals.

Millersport and The Ohio-Erie Canal

This historical marker marks the deepest part of the Ohio-Erie Canal at 32 feet, running south from Millersport for nearly two miles. Millersport flourished as canal trade increased in the 1800s, though the canal system was eventually abandoned.

The Ohio & Erie Canal and The Dry Dock Lock

On this site, the Ohio & Erie Canal flowed south and down-level under the Market Street Bridge. The Dry Dock Lock was described as "the most important lock in the county and considered the best dry dock between Cleveland and Portsmouth."

Pioneer Lutherans

The Israel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized Aug. 23, 1812. Pioneer Lutheran pastors met at this church with reverends to further organize the Christian Witness on the Ohio Fronter.

The Fifty Star Flag: A Symbol of America

Lancaster High School was home to the design for the fifty-star flag, which was created at the school in 1958 by student Robert Heft. This design was then submitted to the local congressman, Walter Moeller, who passed the flag design on. President Dwight D. Eisenhower made the design the official American flag in 1960.

William Tecumseh Sherman

A Lancaster native, Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman was a four-star military genius who played a major role in the Union victory during the Civil War. In retrospect, Sherman declared that, "War is Hell." This historical marker honors General Sherman.

Zane's Trace

Colonel Ebenezer Zane was a veteran of the Revolutionary War who played a major role in the development of Ohio. Receiving permission from congress, he helped build a road into the Northwest Territory, which was named Zane's Trace. Opening in 1797, it brought settlement into Ohio, including Lancaster.

To learn more about the Fairfield County Historical Marker Trail, go to VisitFairfieldCounty.org.

Aaron Burd is a breaking news and government reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him via email at AMBurd@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @AaronMBurd.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Historical marker trail shows Fairfield County's past