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Civil War monument makes a final trip home
By TOM GIAMBRONI
8/24/2004
WEST POINT (Ohio) — Morgan’s Monument returned home Monday in what officials hope is the Civil War marker’s last trip.
A wrecker was used to hoist the six-foot high granite stone and base from the roadside rest area along state Route 518, where the monument had been located since 1958.
It was moved a quarter mile east on Route 518 to its original location on a small patch of land which marks the spot where Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his troops surrendered on July 26, 1863. This marked the northernmost advance of Rebel soldiers during the war.
“The thing is, if we say this is the spot (where Morgan surrendered) then this ... should be the spot” where the monument is located, said Tim Brookes, president of the East Liverpool Historical Society, which is the monument’s official caretaker.
The historical society also owns the land that served as the original home for the monument from 1908 until it was moved to the roadside rest in 1958. The historical society decided last year to move the monument back to its original location after the Ohio Department of Transportation decided to permanently close the rest area.
Brookes said the wheels had been set in motion to relocate the monument to its original home prior to a public hearing on the rest area closing hosted by ODOT two weeks ago. ODOT, at that hearing, offered to provide whatever assistance it could, but other arrangements had already been made.
William Davidson of Davidson Sales & Services of Salem donated use of his wrecker to haul the monument and base, which Brookes estimated must weigh two to three tons.
“I’m not good at estimating material, but it’s got to weigh a lot,” he said of the monument, which is nearly 6.5-feet high. The base is 6- by 4-feet and 20 inches thick.
The monument currently sits in the parking lot at Mellott’s Welding, which is located next to the historical society property, until the final site preparation can be completed on the 10-foot by 10-foot parcel.
Brookes envisions the monument grounds being restored to their original condition, which included a black wrought iron fence.
Visitors are expected once the Ohio Civil War Commission dedicates the John Hunt Morgan Trail, a driving tour of informational markers located along the 550 miles Morgan and his troops traveled during their raid. One of the markers is to be placed at the monument.
Also helping in Monday’s relocation efforts were Brookes’ father, Charles, county Commissioner Jim Hoppel, and county Recorder Jeff Hochadel, who secured Davidson’s assistance.
Brookes was relieved to finally have Morgan’s Monument back where it belongs and probably should never have been moved.
“It sounded like a simple thing, but when you’re dealing with property owners and everything, you soon find out it’s anything but simple,” he said.
tgiambroni@mojonews.com
http://www.morningjournalnews.com/story.asp?ID=30168
Morning Journal News
Columbiana County’s Largest Daily Newspaper
By TOM GIAMBRONI
8/24/2004
WEST POINT (Ohio) — Morgan’s Monument returned home Monday in what officials hope is the Civil War marker’s last trip.
A wrecker was used to hoist the six-foot high granite stone and base from the roadside rest area along state Route 518, where the monument had been located since 1958.
It was moved a quarter mile east on Route 518 to its original location on a small patch of land which marks the spot where Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his troops surrendered on July 26, 1863. This marked the northernmost advance of Rebel soldiers during the war.
“The thing is, if we say this is the spot (where Morgan surrendered) then this ... should be the spot” where the monument is located, said Tim Brookes, president of the East Liverpool Historical Society, which is the monument’s official caretaker.
The historical society also owns the land that served as the original home for the monument from 1908 until it was moved to the roadside rest in 1958. The historical society decided last year to move the monument back to its original location after the Ohio Department of Transportation decided to permanently close the rest area.
Brookes said the wheels had been set in motion to relocate the monument to its original home prior to a public hearing on the rest area closing hosted by ODOT two weeks ago. ODOT, at that hearing, offered to provide whatever assistance it could, but other arrangements had already been made.
William Davidson of Davidson Sales & Services of Salem donated use of his wrecker to haul the monument and base, which Brookes estimated must weigh two to three tons.
“I’m not good at estimating material, but it’s got to weigh a lot,” he said of the monument, which is nearly 6.5-feet high. The base is 6- by 4-feet and 20 inches thick.
The monument currently sits in the parking lot at Mellott’s Welding, which is located next to the historical society property, until the final site preparation can be completed on the 10-foot by 10-foot parcel.
Brookes envisions the monument grounds being restored to their original condition, which included a black wrought iron fence.
Visitors are expected once the Ohio Civil War Commission dedicates the John Hunt Morgan Trail, a driving tour of informational markers located along the 550 miles Morgan and his troops traveled during their raid. One of the markers is to be placed at the monument.
Also helping in Monday’s relocation efforts were Brookes’ father, Charles, county Commissioner Jim Hoppel, and county Recorder Jeff Hochadel, who secured Davidson’s assistance.
Brookes was relieved to finally have Morgan’s Monument back where it belongs and probably should never have been moved.
“It sounded like a simple thing, but when you’re dealing with property owners and everything, you soon find out it’s anything but simple,” he said.
tgiambroni@mojonews.com
http://www.morningjournalnews.com/story.asp?ID=30168
Morning Journal News
Columbiana County’s Largest Daily Newspaper
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