Mad River Road
Encyclopedia
Mad River Road was the first overland route between Dayton, Ohio
and Cincinnati, Ohio
. It was cut by Daniel C. Cooper
in 1795 to provide access to the new town of Dayton and the "Mad River Country" northeast and north of Dayton. It was located at the mouth of the Mad River
in the Symmes Purchase
. The survey, entered into the record by Cooper and Dr. John Hole, extended Harmer's Trace north from near Cunningham's Station on the Mill Creek to the mouth of the Mad River, establishing the earliest road between Cincinnati and Dayton. Cooper, a surveyor and miller, was instrumental in the early settlement of Dayton, and Dr. Hole, the first physician in Montgomery County
, established his cabin in 1796 near the now-extinct town of Woodburne on Mad River Road.
"Be it remembered that pursuant to an order of Court to Daniel Cooper, Daniel Griffing and John Hole on a petition of more than twelve citizens of the County aforesaid, the following survey of a road in the said County was made and reported, to wit: Beginning at Cunningham's Station, thence along the old road four miles and a half, thence North eleven miles, thence North twenty-five degrees East thirteen miles; thence North forty degrees East three miles and a quarter, thence North three miles and a half, thence North ten degrees West one mile and a quarter to the road leading from Hamilton
to Dayton town, at the mouth of Mad river, the whole distance being thirty eight miles and three fourths of a mile." (1797 Survey for part of Mad River Road recorded in the Hamilton County, Ohio
, Road Book B-1.)
The five-mile segment between David Road in Kettering, Ohio
and State Route 725 in Centerville, Ohio
that runs through Washington Township
is the last remaining traceable portion retaining the original name and following the original route. It is still in daily use more than 200 years later.
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
and Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. It was cut by Daniel C. Cooper
Daniel C. Cooper
Daniel C. Cooper was an American surveyor, farmer, miller and political leader.-Biography:He was born in the Passaic Valley at Long Hill, Morris County, New Jersey, the son of wealthy farmer George Cooper and Margaret Lafferty...
in 1795 to provide access to the new town of Dayton and the "Mad River Country" northeast and north of Dayton. It was located at the mouth of the Mad River
Mad River (Ohio)
The Mad River is a stream located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Ohio. It flows from Logan County to downtown Dayton, where it meets the Great Miami River. The stream flows southwest from its source near Campbell Hill through West Liberty, along U.S...
in the Symmes Purchase
Symmes Purchase
The Symmes Purchase, also known as the Miami Purchase, was an area of land in Southwestern Ohio in what is now Hamilton, Butler, and Warren Counties. It was purchased by Judge John Cleves Symmes of New Jersey from the Continental Congress...
. The survey, entered into the record by Cooper and Dr. John Hole, extended Harmer's Trace north from near Cunningham's Station on the Mill Creek to the mouth of the Mad River, establishing the earliest road between Cincinnati and Dayton. Cooper, a surveyor and miller, was instrumental in the early settlement of Dayton, and Dr. Hole, the first physician in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Ohio
Montgomery County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 535,153 in the 2010 Census. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 while attempting to capture Quebec City, Canada. The county seat is Dayton...
, established his cabin in 1796 near the now-extinct town of Woodburne on Mad River Road.
"Be it remembered that pursuant to an order of Court to Daniel Cooper, Daniel Griffing and John Hole on a petition of more than twelve citizens of the County aforesaid, the following survey of a road in the said County was made and reported, to wit: Beginning at Cunningham's Station, thence along the old road four miles and a half, thence North eleven miles, thence North twenty-five degrees East thirteen miles; thence North forty degrees East three miles and a quarter, thence North three miles and a half, thence North ten degrees West one mile and a quarter to the road leading from Hamilton
Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
to Dayton town, at the mouth of Mad river, the whole distance being thirty eight miles and three fourths of a mile." (1797 Survey for part of Mad River Road recorded in the Hamilton County, Ohio
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
, Road Book B-1.)
The five-mile segment between David Road in Kettering, Ohio
Kettering, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,502 people, 25,657 households, and 15,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,077.4 people per square mile . There were 26,936 housing units at an average density of 1,441.6 per square mile...
and State Route 725 in Centerville, Ohio
Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio
* Centerville City School District, Montgomery County, Ohio* Mad River Road* State Route 48* State Route 725-External links:* *...
that runs through Washington Township
Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio
Washington Township is one of the nine townships of Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 56,607.Washington Township and Centerville voted November 4, 2008, on whether to create a merger commission.-Geography:...
is the last remaining traceable portion retaining the original name and following the original route. It is still in daily use more than 200 years later.