The diagonal route between Chillicothe and Newark approximates the possible "Great Hopewell Road," an ancient route suggested by recorded remains near its northern end. About midway is the Tarlton Cross Mound, in the village of the same name, a unique plus-sign-shaped mound crowning a small wooded ridge at the end of a scenic trail. Nearby Circleville was planned with concentric streets inside an ancient, earthen circle (and adjoining square). Though later replaced with a regular grid, an old drawing of this inventive layout adorns the candy boxes at WittichÕs Candy Shop, while downtownÕs Main Street follows the central axis of the ancient work.

The road northward through Lancaster skirts the scenic Appalachian Plateau; among the back roads are many covered bridges. On a charming tree-shaded square in the heart of historic Lancaster, ShawÕs Restaurant and Inn provides meals and guest rooms. At Buckeye Lake (once lined with limestone slabs from a huge stone mound) are the remains of an early 20th century amusement park.