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2024 COMMUNITY SURVEY The Village of Morristown has been invited to apply for an AMLER grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Mineral Resources Management. As part of that process, we are seeking input via a Community Engagement Survey of every household in the corporation limits. 1. How often do you visit the Lynn Hunkler Memorial Park? Please circle one. * a. Daily b. Weekly c. Monthly d. Sometimes e. Rarely or not at all 2. Would you be more inclined to visit the Park if accessible restroom facilities and water were available? * a. Yes b. No c. Maybe 3. How important is it to you that Morristown streets are improved with new pavement? * a. Very Important b. Important c. Neutral d. Not Important 4. How satisfied are you with the overall quality of the street in your neighborhood? * a. Very Satisfied b. Satisfied c. Neutral d. Unsatisfied 5. Rank the importance of these infrastructure projects with 1 - Most Important and 4 - Least Important: Restroom facilities at the Lynn Hunkler Memorial Park Street Paving Utilities (water, sewer, electricity) at Lynn Hunkler Memorial Park Storm Sewer Replacement/Repair Submit Thanks for sharing! We always strive to improve. GO TO TOP

Morristown has been on the National Register of Historic Places for over 30 years and been recognized many times as one of the best preserved examples of a National Road community, yet the latest recognition may bring it to the attention of its largest audience yet. NEWS News source The Times Leader $3.9 million awarded to Underground Railroad Museum Read more.. MORRISTOWN — The Underground Railroad Museum has received $3.9 million from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s Appalachian Community Grant Program. The program is part of a $154 million investment in Appalachian downtowns and destinations. The Underground Railroad Museum, while currently located at 121 E High St. in Flushing, is set to move to the historic Black Horse Inn in Morristown. The inn, built in 1807, is one of the last remaining inns and taverns on Old National Road. It is believed to have also been a stop on the Underground Railroad. NEW BANNERS ADORN MAIN STREET Main Street in Morristown is now adorned with full-color banners depicting the village's place in history "on the road." Beautiful and educational, the series of banners shows the evolution of transportation corridors through the village - from a wilderness path known as Zane's Trace to the National Road and US Route 40. The banner project was spearheaded by the Morristown Historic Preservation Association (MHPA) and funded by a grant from the Belmont County Tourism Council. MHPA came up with the banner concept and worked withTiffany Schmidt of SilverLake Graphics in Barnesville to create the design. Ed Tacosik and the LogoTek Team in Bethesda printed and installed the large, vinyl banners. The "on the road" theme was chosen because Morristown is an original Pike town and all the highways are still visible in Morristown. The National Road was the nation's first federally-funded highway, built between 1811 and 1834, and Morristown is one of the best preserved examples of a National Road community. The road became part of US 40 as a coast-to-coast highway in 1926. MHPA extends its appreciation to Ohio History Connection for use of the Zane's Trace image and to AEP for granting permission for the banners to be placed on its electric poles. A short drive leads to trip back in time I visited one of my favorite little communities this past week. news source "The Times Leader" On Wednesday afternoon, I took an impromptu drive through Morristown. Although I was actually looking for a large group of law enforcement officers who had been called to handle an incident I knew almost nothing about at that point, I couldn’t help but notice a few changes in the village. Morristown was platted 220 years ago, and it was named for settler and innkeeper Duncan Morrison. It was established by Jonathan Zane and William Chaplin along the path of the developing National Road — the highway to the West throughout the first half of the 19th century. Read More.. Morristown Featured in Old House Journal Magazine Morristown has been on the National Register of Historic Places for over 30 years and been recognized many times as one of the best preserved examples of a National Road community, yet the latest recognition may bring it to the attention of its largest audience yet. Morristown is a featured community in the December 2016 issue of Old House Journal, a national publication with an audience of 3.6 million readers that is considered the preeminent restoration source by homeowners and design professionals. Read More.. The Times Leader December 4, 2013 Group receives ONRA Award MORRISTOWN Efforts to preserve a storied piece of local history have earned recognition on the state level for a local non-profit group. The Morristown Historic Preservation Association received the 2013 Milestone Historic Preservation Award from the Ohio National Road Association (ONRA) for mounting a successful effort to purchase and restore the Black Horse Inn, one of the last remaining National Road inns and taverns. The Milestone Award was presented at the ONRA Annual Meeting which was held at the Florentine Restaurant in Columbus on Nov. 22. Read More.. GO TO TOP

NEWS Morristown Featured in Old House Journal Magazine Morristown has been on the National Register of Historic Places for over 30 years and been recognized many times as one of the best preserved examples of a National Road community, yet the latest recognition may bring it to the attention of its largest audience yet. Morristown is a featured community in the December 2016 issue of Old House Journal, a national publication with an audience of 3.6 million readers that is considered the preeminent restoration source by homeowners and design professionals. The two-page, full color spread, which hits newsstands on November 1st, includes photos of six 19th century homes and the Black Horse Inn as well as a brief history of the village. Morristown Mayor Heather Stitt said she was elated to learn that the magazine had plans to feature Morristown. “Morristown is truly a link to the past,” Mayor Stitt said. “The future of Morristown looks bright and this is just the first step to show what our little village has to offer.” Morristown came to the attention of Old House Journal via Carolyn Bates, a nationally-recognized photographer from Vermont. Bates was making plans to photograph a cabin owned by the Dutton family near Flushing and asked Greg Dutton if there were any historic homes that she could visit. He connected her with John Rataiczak, Morristown homeowner and president of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association. "I was thrilled to learn of this interest as we have always felt that what we have here in Morristown is special and worthy of national recognition and attention," Rataiczak said. In May, John began sending Bates pictures of every home built in Morristown between 1800 and 1899. After months of emails and photos, Carolyn had what she needed to pitch the idea of a Morristown feature to the editors of Old House Journal. They reviewed the photos and agreed to send Carolyn to photograph the village for a regular feature in the magazine called “My Neighborhood.” Carolyn arrived in Morristown the third week in July. “I felt like I had stepped way back in time,” Carolyn remarked about her first impression of the small village. She stayed in the Brooks House, a guest of owner Troy Biery. She was the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by several homeowners on July 22. She spent the next several days walking around the community, taking photos and talking with residents. “I felt so welcome,” Carolyn said. “Within an hour I felt like I was with my family.” “It was a pleasure to share our community, our friendship, food and conversation with someone who appreciated all that makes Morristown a special place to live,” said Melissa Rataiczak. “Carolyn gave us another reason to come together for fellowship and laughter, a hallmark of living in this awesome village,” she added. Morristown has offered other opportunities for visitors, like Christmas Home Tours and National Pike Festivals. Morristown was also a stop on the 2016 Rubberneck Tour. Next up is the Fifth Annual Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving morning tradition in Morristown. All are welcome to participate in this fun 5K Run/Walk. “This is another opportunity for neighbors, family and friends to come together and create more Morristown memories,” Rataiczak said. Mayor Stitt hopes this recognition generates interest and enthusiasm for preserving old homes and buildings. So does newest resident, Gabe Hays, who purchased one of Morristown’s historic homes last year. “What I hope this will mean to Morristown is a continuum of stewardship awareness for this nationally-significant American historic place,” Hays said. “I pray that this will inspire others to invest in any of the current structures needing love.” GO TO TOP

NEWS The Times Leader December 4, 2013 Group receives ONRA Award MORRISTOWN Efforts to preserve a storied piece of local history have earned recognition on the state level for a local non-profit group. The Morristown Historic Preservation Association received the 2013 Milestone Historic Preservation Award from the Ohio National Road Association (ONRA) for mounting a successful effort to purchase and restore the Black Horse Inn, one of the last remaining National Road inns and taverns. The Milestone Award was presented at the ONRA Annual Meeting which was held at the Florentine Restaurant in Columbus on Nov. 22. In announcing the award, ONRA board member and past president Cyndie Gerken said, “This year’s winner has gone well beyond advocating (to preserve historic buildings) by demonstrating both an appreciation for the potential of what lies beneath the surface, and the ambition to take on the project.” “We are honored by this award and thank ONRA for recognizing us for this effort,” said John Rataiczak, president of MHPA. “This gives us confidence that we have embarked upon a project that is noteworthy on both a local and state level.” MHPA began raising funds after the inn’s former owners graciously reduced the selling price to the non-profit earlier this year. A grant from the Belmont County Tourism Council then made it possible for MHPA to purchase the Black Horse in August. The Black Horse Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its original frame portion was built in 1807. The Black Horse gained notoriety as the third stagecoach stop from Wheeling during the heyday of the National Road and continues to hold the interest of National Road travelers in the 21st century. This is not the first time the Morristown group has been recognized. The Ohio Historical Society bestowed Public Education and Awareness Awards to the group in 1991 and 2003. The National Road, initiated in 1806, was America’s first interstate highway, paving the way for settlement of the west. It ranks as one of our nation’s most unique roadways, designated as both a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Department in 2002. For more information, go to ONRA’s web site www.ohionationalroad.org . To learn more about Morristown, log on to www.morristownohio.org ONRA representatives Denna Johnson, Cyndie Gerken, and Doug Smith, and Pamela and Tom McCort, accepting the Milestone Award on behalf of the Morristown Preservation Association. Photo courtesy Ohio National Road Association. GO TO TOP

VILLAGE OF MORRISTOWN The Village of Morristown has been invited to apply for an AMLER grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Mineral Resources Management. As part of that process, we are seeking input via a Community Engagement Survey of every household in the corporation limits. 2024 COMMUNITY SURVEY Village Complaint Form Morristown Village Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Village offices. Volunteer Form VILLAGE OF MORRISTOWN 201 W. Cross Street P.O. Box 241 Morristown, OH 43759 Phone: 740-782-1551 Fax: 740-782-1820 Mayor Heather Stitt mayor.morristown.ohio@gmail.com Fiscal Officer & Public Records Custodian Tiffany Vcelka morristownoh.fiscal@gmail.com Village Administrator Brandon Taylor btaylor.morristown.villageadm@gmail.com VFD Fire Chief Doug Harris Council Members: Bradlee Gibson Doug Harris Pamela McCort Shawn Cline John Rataiczak Richard J. Wilhelm Morristown Park Commission Lynn-Hunkler Memorial Park Vicki Burghy vburghy@gmail.com Brenynn Mowery Louie Mudrak MORRISTOWN NEWSLETTER Morristown Newsletter 2022 Morristown Newsletter 2021 Morristown Newsletter 2017 Morristown Newsletter 2015 Morristown Newsletter 2013 Morristown Newsletter 2012 Morristown Newsletter 2010 VILLAGE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Ordinance No. 2024-01 Golf Cart Ordi nance Record Request Canvassing & Soliciting Permit Canvassing & Soliciting Ordinance 14-3 Water & Sewer Connection or Transfer of Service Resolution 16-15 Budget Resolution 16-14 Transfer of Funds to Park District Resolution 16-3 Authorizing Sale of Fire Truck Sign Permit form Zoning Appeals Application Zoning Application Procedure Zoning Permit Form Application for Volunteer Service Approved Zoning Ordinance Zoning Districts Public Comment Sign-In Form Ordinance No. 13-3 Ordinance No. 12-5 BACKFLOW SURVEY GO TO TOP

Veterans Honored at CommUNITY Day Morristown veterans who served in armed conflicts around the world, especially World War II, will be honored at a dedication of the World War II Veterans Honor Board on June 8th . The dedication, part of CommUNITY Day, will take place at the Lynn-Hunkler Memorial Park at Morristown on Sunday, June 8th at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Following the dedication, the National Pike Wagon Train, sponsored by the Belmont County Tourism Council, will arrive and the National Pike Pickers, a Wheeling-based bluegrass band, will perform from 1 until 4 p.m. There will also be inflatable amusements for children of all ages. Traditional picnic food will be served. Rev. Gene Miller of the Morristown Methodist Church and Pastor Curtis Hallstrom of the Morristown Christian Church will be the featured speakers at the dedication. Rev. Miller is a World War II veteran, having served in the Army and the Navy. Pastor Hallstrom is a former Naval Aviator. The Veterans Honor Board, a reproduction of the original Roll of Honor that stood in Morristown during the war, is a project of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association (MHPA). All events and activities of CommUNITY Day are free, courtesy of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association. In case of inclement weather, the dedication will be held, but the band and amusements will be cancelled. Morristown residents Barbara Shepherd (left) and Lois Talbott McDowell are two local residents who have family listed on the Veterans Honor Board shown in the background. A dedication of this World War II Roll of Honor will take place on Sunday, June 8th at 12:30 p.m. at the Morristown park. images GO TO TOP

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS LINKS Belmont County Tourism Council http://www.belmontcountytourism.info/ Belmont County Government www.belmontcountyohio.org Union Local School District http://www.ulschools.com/ Belmont College Building Preservation Technology Program www.belmontcollege.edu Belmont County Chapter of Ohio Genealogy Society http://www.belmontccogs.org/ The Times Leader www.timesleaderonline.com Historic National Road in Ohio www.ohionationalroad.org Ohio History Connection www.ohiohistory.org NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Barkcamp State Park parks.ohiodnr.gov/barkcamp The Vestry, 211 Church Street, Morristown, OH Facebook page MORRISTOWN AREA RESTAURANTS DiCarlo’s Pizza www.dicarlospizza.com Schlepp’s Family Restaurant www.facebook.com/Schlepps-Family-Restaurant Quiznos www.quiznos.com Chapz Bar & Grill The Pike 40 www.pike40.com Subway (located in Pilot Travel Center) Morristown Hotels/Motels Days Inn & Suites www.daysinn.com/hotels/ohio/belmont/days-inn-and-suites-belmont/hotel-overview Sleep Inn & Suites www.choicehotels.com/sleep-inn MORRISTOWN GAS STATIONS EXXON Gas Station and 208 Fuel Plaza 66682 Belmont-Morristown Road Belmont, OH 43718 740-782-1601 www.exxonmobilstations.com/1366571-208-fuel-plaza-belmont MARATHON Gas 66440 Belmont-Morristown Road Belmont, OH 43718 740-782-1239 PILOT TRAVEL CENTER pilotflyingj.com GO TO TOP

2018 National Pike Wagon Train images GO TO TOP

MORRISTOWN HISTORY The Village of Morristown was platted by Jonathan Zane and William Chapline in 1802 and named for an early settler and innkeeper, Duncan Morrison. The National Road, the major overland route to the West in the second quarter of the nineteenth century was the crucial factor in Morristown's development. It was built through the village around 1826 and changed the village's main thoroughfare from the "Wheeling Road" (later renamed Church Street) to Main Street. Many businesses, including hotels, factories, mills and shops grew from the traffic generated by the nation's first federally funded highway. While many towns flourished in response to the trade along the National Road, Morristown is the best preserved example of a "Pike Town" in Eastern Ohio. In 1853, when Morristown was at its peak, it supported forty to fifty businesses, all of which were dependent on or served the National Road in some capacity. There were many blacksmiths, saddlers, wagonmakers, grocers, clothiers and hotels. There was a cigar factory (located in the old Bank Building), glove factory and a woolen mill. Although many of the buildings which housed these businesses survive today, they do so as private residences. It was transportation that caused. Morristown's growth, and it would be a "new" form of transportation, the train, that would cause the village to decline. The railroad bypassed Morristown in the 1850's, passing to the south through Barnesville, Ohio instead. Interest in the village waned, along with commerce, and today no businesses survive in the village proper. With their businesses gone, many buildings stood empty and were "preserved through neglect". Morristown was added to the National Register of Historic Places when the Morristown Historic District was established in 1980. GO TO TOP

VILLAGE OF MORRISTOWN or Morristown Historic Preservation Association CONTACT US CONTACT & LOCATION Submit Thanks for submitting! VILLAGE OF MORRISTOWN 201 W. Cross Street P.O. Box 241 Morristown, OH 43759 Phone: 740-782-1551 Fax: 740-782-1820 Morristown Historic Preservation Association P.O. Box 102, Morristown, OH 43759 Slideshow 1 of 10 GO TO TOP

National Road Bicentennial 2006 National Road Bicentennial Celebration Vintage Base Ball Match a Hit The National Road Bicentennial Celebration at Morristown on July 29, 2006 featured activities for the whole family. One of those activities, a vintage base ball match, was a genuine hit with players and spectators alike. The game was a matchup between the Ohio Village Muffins from the Ohio Historical Society and the Morristown Nationals, a team of local players. The 9-inning game was played by the rules of 1860, including period clothing. The Muffins won the matchup 26-7. The vintage game was played on the baseball diamond at Union Local High School. Real Life Church sold hot dogs, Cracker Jacks and other refreshments at the game. The National Road Bicentennial Celebration was hosted by the Morristown Historic Preservation Association. VINTAGE BASE BALL MATCH A HIT WITH PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS Friendly Rivals - Morristown Nationals and Ohio Village Muffins WTOV-9 Meteorologist Jeff Oechslein and Morristown weather watcher Lois McDowell have a friendly chat before Jeff takes the field for the Morristown Nationals. Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas shows fine form as he sends the ball into left field. Morristown Mayor Robert Thomas (left) and umpire Richard "Always Right" Schuricht from Columbus look on as players warm-up before the base ball match. Standing in the background are Nationals' team members Darin Simms (left) and Chad Burghy. Belmont County Probate Judge Mark Costine rings the bell after he scores a run for the Nationals. An attentive group of Morristown players listens as the umpire explains how to play by the gentleman's rules of 1860. Mayor Robert Thomas connects with the ball as he hits one into center field. Team manager Tom McCort and captain Mark Thomas review the Nationals' batting order. GO TO TOP