Historic Route Earns Official Designation as Ohio Scenic Byway
“Presidential Pathways” runs through Southwest Ohio

COLUMBUS (Thursday, August 20, 2009) - In recognition of two United States presidents who called Southwest Ohio home, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is designating 52 miles of roadways in Hamilton and Butler counties as the Presidential Pathways Scenic Byway.

The Presidential Pathways Scenic Byway is the 27th designated byway in the state, under ODOT’s Ohio Scenic Byways Program.

“The recognition given this route underscores the state’s commitment to preserving and protecting the natural and historic resources along its corridor,” stated ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris.

The Presidential Pathways Scenic Byway highlights the lives of Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison. Both men had significant ties to this region of Ohio during their lives.

Sites along the Presidential Pathways tell of the development of southwest Ohio through the lives of these two historic Ohio figures. The story includes the westward push into the Northwest Territory, the Civil War, and the Underground Railroad. The canals, tunnels and covered bridges built during this period along this route were engineering models for their day.

Along the new byway are also several sites to visit, including the White Water Shaker Village, the Butler County Metro Parks, the Oxford Museum and Hueston Woods State Park.

A grassroots group in western Hamilton and Butler Counties - comprised of representatives from local historical, cultural and recreational sites - met for nearly three years to develop the Presidential Pathways Scenic Byway.

“The success of our scenic byways is attributable to these types of grassroots organizations and everyone working together in partnership to strengthen Ohio’s communities,” said Director Molitoris.

ODOT’s Ohio Scenic Byways Program was established in 1994 to recognize some of the state’s special roadways.

By promoting the need to balance conservation, tourism and economic development with the use and enjoyment of transportation corridors, the program seeks to enhance quality of life and pride in local communities.

At the federal level, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,672 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

    For more information, contact Scott Varner, ODOT Central Office Communications, at (614) 644-8640
or the Oxford Visitors & Convention Bureau at (513) 523-8687 and by e-mail at info@enjoyoxford.org