The Ohio Innovation Trail traces the rich history of innovation in Ohio, showcasing everything from the childhood homes of inventors to sites where world-changing inventions were developed. Spanning the entire state, the trail offers something for everyone no matter where you are located. Ohio ingenuity is characterized by creativity, practicality, resilience and collaboration. These traits have driven countless innovations enabling Ohioans to transform ideas into impactful realities.
Guernsey County, Ohio, is near three Innovative Trail sites:
Big Muskie’s Bucket – Jesse Owens State Park
4470 State Route 78, McConnelsville, Ohio
Central Ohio Coal Company unveiled Big Muskie, the world’s largest dragline, in 1969. Today, Big Muskie tells the history of the evolution of coal mining techniques and technology. Coal impacted everyday life by providing electricity. See how extraction shifted from prized work to debates over emissions, public health and land. Today, visitors stand in Big Muskie amid a vast reclaimed state park that was once a mining field.
The Wilds
14000 International Rd., Cumberland, Ohio
thewilds.org
Built on nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed coal land in Southeast Ohio, The Wilds turned the former mine into a living lab for conservation. Open-range habitats support threatened species, while teams advance science through projects such as the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science. The Ohio Hellbender Partnership raises and releases native salamanders to strengthen wild populations. Ongoing prairie and watershed restoration studies track ecological recovery and education programs connect visitors with the results firsthand.
National Road & Zane Grey Museum
The National Road, early America’s busiest land artery to the West, stretched from Maryland to Illinois, cutting through the heart of Ohio. The “Main Street of America” linked the East Coast to the Western Frontier, a dream of Washington and Jefferson. The National Road runs right through the heart of Downtown Cambridge (Wheeling Avenue) in Guernsey County. Dozens of local shops, boutiques, eateries, museums and more are located along the road, all within walking distance of each other. To explore the history of the road and its famous travelers, visit a museum in neighboring Zanesville, Ohio.