Martins Ferry
Martins Ferry is a city in Belmont County. It enjoys the honor of being the oldest settlement in the state of Ohio, having been settled at least as early as 1779. The community was a westward extension of the city of Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). Directly across the river lies the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, and just miles to the east is the Pennsylvania state line. The city of Columbus, Ohio, is 125 miles to the west, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is 59 miles northeast of the city. On the southern end of town, Martins Ferry is directly connected to the village of Bridgeport.
Fun Facts
Martins Ferry was the birth place of James Wright – Pulitzer Prize winning poet and author. One of Wright’s most celebrated poems captures some of the nuances of his hometown, titled “Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio”.
Martins Ferry is the hometown of Alex Groza, Gold Medalist in the 1948 Olympics and star basketball player, and brother Lou Groza (AKA “The Toe”), Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker and offensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes.
Fun Facts
Area
Total: 2.33 square miles (6.03 km2
Elevation
709 ft. (216 m)
Population
6,915
Area Amenities
-
Historic Churches Walking Tourhttp://www.peaseparks.com/ferrychurchesMartins Ferry, OH 43935
Eight churches of various religions can be found along 4th & 5th Streets, Walnut, Locust and Clay.
-
Martins Ferry Park District and Pool401 S 4th StreetMartins Ferry, OH 43935
Playground, Baseball/Softball field, Basketball Court, Amphitheater, Swimming Pool, Picnic tables throughout the park.
-
Sedgwick House Museum627 Hanover StreetMartins Ferry, OH 43935
Contains materials pertaining to the area in and surrounding Martins Ferry.
-
Walnut Grove CemeteryN Fourth StMartins Ferry, OH 43935
(Rt. 7 north, Hanover St. exit, north on Fourth St.) Dating from 1795, the cemetery is Martins Ferry’s oldest pioneer landmark. It is the resting place of the Zane and Martin families.
